SMALL GRAINS

EFAO’s pilot Small Grains Program supports farmers wanting to diversify their crop rotation by adding a small grain followed by a legume cover crop or forage crop.

As many farmers already know, small grains have big gains. Adding small grains such as wheat, spelt, oats, barley, rye or triticale to a 2-year corn/soybean rotation not only supports higher corn and soybean yields and profitability, but also improves soil health and water quality, reduces inputs, diversifies farm income and labour requirements and increases resilience of Ontario’s rural communities.

In its pilot year, the Small Grains Program supports farmers to diversify their rotation with payments of $40/acre up to 100 acres and training and support around small grains production and marketing. Learn more >

Applications for the 2021 harvest season are now closed but we encourage you to join the Small Grains Network >

Header photo used with permission from Country Guide.

Get Involved

What is the Small Grains Program?

EFAO’s Small Grains Program is a pilot program that includes payment, training and a farmer-to-farmer network of support and information for small grains production and marketing. 

For the pilot program, you can earn a payment of $40/acre for up to 100 acres to diversify your rotation by adding a small grain (e.g. wheat, spelt, oats, barley, rye and triticale) for harvest in 2021 followed by a legume cover crop or forage crop. To complement the payment, EFAO is starting the Small Grains Network including a full program of educational, agronomic and community resources around small grains production and marketing. 

Who can apply?

Any farmer can apply to the program. Once your application is approved, a current EFAO membership is required.

Please note that the program has limited numbers for the 2021 harvest season. If there is strong interest from farmers we anticipate expanding the program for the following years. Those who are not accepted for the payment are encouraged to join the Small Grains Network.

When is the application period?

What is required of me to participate in the program?

• Diversify your rotation by planting a small grain (e.g. wheat, spelt, oats, barley, rye and triticale) to be harvested 2021 followed by a cover crop or forage crop with at least one legume species.
• Provide program feedback and information on your practices and expenses in the small grain year and the following year;
• Attend at least one learning opportunity in the Small Grains Network, such as a shared learning call, a field day or workshop;
• Become an EFAO member. As a member, you gain access to the online community forum, quarterly print newsletter, discounted rates on all EFAO events, opportunities to participate in farmer-led research and much more.

What support will I receive as part of the program?

Payment

• $40/acre payment on up to 100 acres;

Small Grains Network

• Monthly shared learning calls on small grains production and marketing topics – starting fall 2020;
• Monthly e-newsletters with resources on small grains and diverse rotations;
• Field days on small grains production and diverse rotations;
• Opportunity to attend the annual small grains conferences rotating through midwest US;
• Connection to experienced small grain growers and a community of other farmers interested in small grains;
• Opportunities for experienced growers to be paid for mentorship;
• Opportunities to conduct farmer-led research on small-grains production.

What is the Small Grains Network?

At the heart of the program is a Small Grains Network to support beginner to advanced small grain growers across Ontario, and includes:

• Monthly shared learning calls on small grains production and marketing topics – starting fall 2020;
• Monthly e-newsletters with resources on small grains and diverse rotations;
• Field days on small grains production and diverse rotations;
• Opportunity to attend the annual small grains conferences in the midwest US;
• Connection to experienced small grain growers and a community of other farmers interested in small grains;
• Opportunities for experienced growers to be paid for mentorship;
• Opportunities to conduct farmer-led research on small-grains production.

Even if you are not eligible for a payment because you are already growing small grains in your rotation and won’t be harvesting a new crop in 2021,  you are welcome (and encouraged!) to join.

How do I sign-up for EFAO’s Small Grains Program?

Applications for the 2021 harvest season are now closed. Subscribe to the Small Grains newsletter and be the first to know about applications for the 2022 harvest season.

Where can I learn more?

Read the FAQ on the program >

Read what inspired this program >

What other resources are there for growing small grains?

• EFAO’s Small Grains E-newsletter | Sign-up here >
• Practical Farmers of Iowa | Rotationally Raised Video Series >
• OMAFRA Cost of Production | Pub 60 >
• The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security | Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) program >
• Government of Saskatchewan | Principles and Practices of Crop Rotation >
• University of Manitoba | Fertilizer Replacement Value of Legume Green Manure Crops >
• University of Manitoba | Seeded Legume Cover Crops for Late Season Production >