The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing an additional $9 million to help farmers enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of their farms. Funding will help farmers adopt new technologies and best management practices to support soil health, water quality, and energy efficiency while increasing on-farm productivity.

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.

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

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• -  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.
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• -  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.
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• -  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 & Agribusiness September 16, 2024 news release