The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) welcomes the opening of a new Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) intake in 2022.

SARPAL provides up to 50 per cent cost-share funding to support farmers and agricultural landowners in implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) that play a key role in protecting and enhancing healthy SAR habitat while sustaining production and profitability. Wetlands, field edges, fencerows, buffer strips, windbreaks, and other grassy areas on farms are habitat, travel corridors and food sources for SAR, including the Loggerhead Shrike, American Badger, Eastern Foxsnake, Monarch and more. 

Beginning February 14, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., OSCIA will accept applications for projects such as delayed haying, planting of trees and shrubs, grassland and wetland restoration and rotational grazing BMPs. Applicants can receive up to $20,000 per farm business. The intake will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on February 18, 2022, or until funds are fully allocated.

Program highlights:

-  50% cost-share level, to a maximum of $20,000 per farm business

-  First come, first served (the program will close as soon as funds are fully allocated)

-  Up to $50/acre for delayed haying projects

-  Up to $50/tree for tree planting projects

-  Up to $11.50/m of permanent fence and $2.45/m for temporary fence

-  Up to a maximum of $2,000 in in-kind

-  Tree Service Agreements for spring 2023 tree planting

-  Conservation Agreements must be signed between the producer and Environment and Climate Change Canada. These agreements will ensure habitat protection for SAR.

The SARPAL brochure and applications are available here: https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/oscia-programs/sarpal/.

Applications are only accepted during the intake period, and funding is limited. Farm businesses interested in applying are encouraged to explore opportunities and requirements before the intake opening on February 14. To learn more or apply, visit https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/oscia- programs/sarpal/.

Source: Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association January 24, 2022 news release