News
Cost-sharing for Ontario water projects

July 18, 2012, Guelph, Ont. — Farmers now have access to support for
on-farm projects that will help protect Ontario’s lakes, rivers and
other water sources.

July 18, 2012, Guelph, Ont. — Farmers now have access to support for on-farm projects that will help protect Ontario’s lakes, rivers and other water sources.

The new opportunity will provide cost-share funding for the 2012 cropping year for commercial greenhouses, landscape nurseries and vegetable farms to implement best management practices (BMP) that focus on improving water quality, water quantity and water management issues.

“We are pleased this new support is available to help affected farmers implement water management environmental improvement projects identified in their Environmental Farm Plans,” says Joan McKinlay, president of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA).

“Farmers across Ontario make a valuable contribution to our provincial economy and they recognize the importance of operating their farm businesses in ways that are sustainable and environmentally responsible.”

To qualify for funding of either 30 or 50 per cent up to the category caps, eligible Ontario greenhouse, landscape nursery and vegetable farm businesses must have a peer-reviewed Third Edition Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) in place.

As well, they must have selected a BMP from a pre-approved list specific to this funding opportunity that relates directly to an action identified in their EFP.

Portions of six specific BMP categories are eligible for cost-share funding under this new initiative:

• Horticultural facilities runoff control.

• Upland and riparian area habitat management.

• Improved pest management.

• Nutrient recovery from waste water.

• Irrigation management.

• Resource planning.

Cost-share funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The eligible invoice date for all projects is Sept. 15, 2011 or later; the claim submission deadline is Dec. 15, 2012.

For more specific details, farmers are encouraged to contact their local OSCIA representative or visit www.ontariosoilcrop.org.

The Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan and the associated cost-share program, the Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program, are funded through Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. They are administered by the OFA acting on behalf of the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition. The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association delivers the programs to agricultural producers.