Governments investing to improve Ontario farmland
News release
Canada and Ontario funding 213 projects to enhance the resilience of agricultural lands
October 9, 2024 – Straffordville, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The governments of Canada and Ontario have awarded over $12.2 million in support to 213 projects designed to help farmers make their agricultural lands more healthy and resilient.
The funding, through the first intake of the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, is supporting the planting of grasslands and trees, reducing tillage, and creating water retention ponds. These improvements help farmers increase their resilience against extreme weather events and enhance the health of their soil and water, while boosting biodiversity on their properties.
Funding amounts vary according to the type and scope of the project. As funding is still available through the second intake of the initiative which opened on June 3rd 2024, farmers are encouraged to apply through the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association website. Eligible applicants could receive $30 per acre for reduced tillage, and up to $25,000 per acre for the establishment of new wetlands on agricultural lands.
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a 5-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food, and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.
Quotes
“Our hardworking farmers face many challenges that are outside of their control, especially when it comes to extreme weather events and the impacts from climate change. Through the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, we can help them protect their land against these unpredictable challenges so they can continue to grow and succeed for generations to come.”
- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
“We want to support our world-class Ontario farmers with lasting on-farm improvements to help secure long-term growth and environmental resilience for a stronger agri-food sector. We strongly encourage our farmers to apply and take advantage of the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, as funding remains available and open for new applications. This is an exceptional opportunity that we want extended across Ontario’s almost $51 billion agricultural sector.”
- Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
“Ontario famers know good stewardship and best management practices are the key to soil health and building long term sustainability on our farms. OSCIA is pleased to deliver the Resilient Agricultural Landscape funding program under the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Initiative to Ontario farmers to complete projects including reduced tillage, creating water retention ponds and wetlands, and establishing natural grasslands that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help sequester carbon.”
- Phil Oegema, President – Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
Quick facts
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The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) is being delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) and is helping Ontario reach the goals outlined in the Grow Ontario Strategy, which includes strengthening the stability of the agri-food supply chain.
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The second intake includes several continuous improvement updates to ensure the program continues to meet its intended purpose, including clarifying eligible activities and revising selected acreage-based rates and length of land use terms to better align funding incentives with intended outcomes.
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Additional programming is being planned through RALP.
Associated links
Contacts
For media:
Annie Cullinan
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
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Makena Mahoney
Minister's Office
Makena.Mahoney@ontario.ca
Meaghan Evans
Communications Branch
OMAFRA.media@ontario.ca
519-826-3145