OMAFRA

Northern Ontario Regional Office

The Northern Ontario Regional Office (NORO) is part of the Regional Economic Development Branch of the Ministry. The Head Office is located in Verner and serves as the hub to 5 additional locations in agriculture communities across Northern Ontario: Emo, Thunder Bay, Thessalon, Gore Bay, and New Liskeard, which together form the North Region Team. Client Service Representatives are located in the Verner office and are a valuable link between our Agriculture Development Advisors (ADAs) and our Northern clients. They are also able to provide you with access to resources to support the development of the agriculture sector in Northern Ontario.


Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
11790, Hwy 64
P.O. Box 521
Verner, ON POH 2MO
Telephone: 705 594-2312
Fax: 705 594-9675
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST)

What we do - Agriculture Economic Development across the North

Agriculture Development Advisors (ADAs) work with clients to promote and support the development and expansion of their agricultural, aquaculture and agri-food businesses. They provide clients with consultation services on business management, agricultural production, food processing/distribution, regulations and agriculture economic development. Given their knowledge and expertise of the agriculture sector, they also provide technical advice and access to resources available through the ministry such as agriculture and business specialists and are able to source, develop and deliver focussed products, tools and resources to meet their client's needs.

Their work involves developing with the agriculture and agri-food community, projects that support expansion of the agriculture sector in the North. ADAs can work with you to identify funding programs that may be available to support your goals and assist in preparing applications, refer you to other funders and collaborate on common clients.

ADAs work with:
  • Agriculture and agri-food producers, processors, and entrepreneurs
  • Municipalities on agriculture, aquaculture and agri-food opportunities, tile drainage, wildlife compensation, emergency management, minimum distance separation
  • First Nations, Metis, Indigenous groups on agriculture, aquaculture and agri-food opportunities
  • Local and provincial agriculture related organizations, associations and commodity groups and research organizations
  • OMAFRA branches and division in support of the delivery of ministry programs and services, other ministries and FedNor.

For assistance with your agricultural project please contact the Agriculture Development Advisor in your area or the OMAFRA Northern Ontario Regional office at 705 594-2312.

Our Programs and Services

Click here