Support for those who haven't benefited from other farm programming is on the way...

The Canadian Farm Families Options Program is valued at $550 million, and will be run as a 2 year pilot project. 

 

Federal agriculture minister Chuck Strahl announced the initiative yesterday, saying it will provide short term income support to lower income farm families.  Payments will bring total income of a family to a maximum of $25,000 and $15,000 for individuals. 

 

To be eligible producers must have gross farm revenues of $50,000, and total net income of less than $25,000 for families and $15,000 for individuals.  To receive a payment applicants must also commit to completing a farm business assessment, or a skills upgrade within 2 years of their application. 

 

It’s estimated 26,000 farmers are eligible for the options program.