The provincial and federal governments are making more than $68 million available for programs that help make agricultural lands more productive and resilient.
The funding will be available through three programs managed by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA).
This Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) makes funds available for projects such as reducing tillage, creating water retention ponds and other projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon.
The Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI) will allow farmers to modify and adapt their equipment and operating practices.
The On-Farm Applied Research and Monitoring (ONFARM) program provides farmers with research support that identifies measures that improve soils and water quality.
“Continuing the On-Farm Applied Research and Monitoring research program promises to heighten our understanding of soil health on different landscapes across the province and under different management practices,” says Steve Sickle, president of the OSCIA. “The two new incentive opportunities help provide farm businesses valuable support to modify their current practices to assist progressive farm businesses to remain productive, profitable and sustainable.”
“Our government is committed to building a food supply system that is resilient, competitive and productive to meet the ambitious goals of our Grow Ontario Strategy,” states Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “This initiative will be a critical component in giving our farmers the tools they need to make decisions that will enable safe, top-quality food production and agricultural sustainability goals.”
The OSCIA will accept applications later this fall.