The federal government announced the Canadian Farm Families Options program yesterday in Winnipeg.

 

The initiative is aimed at those who have not benefited from other farm programming.
 
Agriculture Minister, Chuck Strahl, says the $550 million, 2-year pilot project will provide short term income support to lower income farm families.
 
To be eligible, producers must have gross farm revenues of $50,000 and a 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.
 
Payments will bring the total income of a family to a maximum of $25,000 and $15,000 for individuals.

 

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