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ONTARIO 🧑🔎 💵Governments Strengthening the Sustainability and Productivity of Ontario Farms 🌾🐄🚜

Monday, 16 September 2024 12:00.PM

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing an additional $9 million in the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Initiative through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership to help farmers enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of their farms. Funding will be used to help with the adoption of new technologies and best management practices to support soil health, water quality, and energy efficiency while increasing on-farm productivity.

“Farmers care deeply about the environment and they’re constantly making their operations more sustainable,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This important investment will help farmers here in Ontario adapt to environmental challenges, so they can continue to succeed for generations to come.”

The initiative will also help Ontario farmers improve the long-term environmental resilience of their farms. Farmers will be able to submit up to two applications to the program, depending on their needs, with successful recipients receiving up to $90,000 depending on the project category.

“This forward-thinking initiative is one of many that our Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership with the federal government secures, with $569 million in total investments set to flow to Ontario’s agriculture and food sector by 2028,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “We encourage our world-class farmers to seize the opportunities this program offers to improve their soil health, food production and long-term competitiveness - key goals of our Grow Ontario Strategy.”

The Agricultural Stewardship Initiative is being delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA).

“OSCIA is pleased to continue delivering this great opportunity for Ontario farmers," said Phil Oegema, President of OSCIA. “Accelerating the adoption of industry-leading management practices to support soil health, water quality, and productivity on agricultural land across Ontario aligns with OSCIA’s mission to facilitate responsible economic management of soil, water, air, and crops through innovative farming practices.”

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food, and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.

Quick Facts

• Information about how to apply for funding and project eligibility under the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative can be found on the OSCIA website. Ontario farmers can submit applications from October 16-29, 2024.
• A verified, complete, fourth edition Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) will be required to be eligible for funding. Information on how to complete the EFP is available through OSCIA.
• Farmers in the Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair watershed areas are encouraged to complete a Farmland Health Check-Up with a participating technical specialist to identify field-specific risks. This may qualify them to receive increased levels of cost-share funding under selected Best Management Practices project categories.

SOURCE: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

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