The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing an additional $12 million through the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative to help farmers adopt practical improvements that increase efficiency, reduce costs and build long-term resilience. 

Funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, this initiative provides successful applicants with funding between $6,000 to $90,000 for projects that support soil health, water quality and energy efficiency improvements, including replacing inefficient on-farm technologies, installing geothermal heating and adopting high-efficiency motor, ventilation, heating, cooling, refrigeration, grain drying and lighting systems. This latest investment represents the fourth intake of the program and builds on the $15.5 million already invested to support approximately 1,000 projects across Ontario since 2023.

The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) will continue delivering the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative through the fourth intake, which opens for applications on July 8, 2026. Program details, eligibility requirements and application guidance are available through the OSCIA website. 

• -  Eligible farmers may submit up to two applications per intake through the OSCIA with the required and verified complete Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). 
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• -  Farmers in the Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair watersheds are encouraged to complete a Farmland Health Check-Up with a participating specialist to identify risks, which may qualify them for increased cost-share funding under select project categories.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness June 12, 2026 news release