TORONTO – Ontario farmers will have access to an additional $12 million in funding aimed at improving efficiency, reducing operating costs and strengthening the long-term sustainability of their operations.
The federal and provincial governments announced June 12 that the funding will be delivered through the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI), a cost-shared program designed to support projects that improve soil health, water quality and on-farm energy efficiency.
The latest funding allocation marks the fourth intake of the program since its launch in 2023. According to government figures, more than $15.5 million has already been invested in approximately 1,000 projects across Ontario.
Eligible farmers can apply for grants ranging from $6,000 to $90,000 to support a variety of environmental and energy-saving improvements. Projects may include upgrading outdated equipment, installing geothermal heating systems, improving grain drying systems, and adopting more efficient ventilation, refrigeration, heating, cooling and lighting technologies.
Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald said the funding will help producers adopt practices that lower costs while improving environmental performance.
“Farmers are constantly seeking innovative approaches to caring for their land and improving energy efficiency,” MacDonald said in a statement. “This funding will help more Ontario farmers adopt best management practices and cleaner technologies that cut input costs, strengthen sustainability and support Ontario’s food independence.”
Ontario Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Minister Trevor Jones said the investment is intended to help producers remain competitive while adapting to changing economic and environmental conditions.
“This investment will help farmers strengthen the sustainability and competitiveness of their operations, reduce costs and build resilience for the future,” said Jones.
The program is administered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), which will begin accepting applications for the fourth intake on July 8.
To qualify, farmers must have a completed and verified Environmental Farm Plan and may submit up to two applications per intake period. Producers located within the Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair watersheds may also be eligible for enhanced cost-share funding in some project categories if they complete a Farmland Health Check-Up assessment.
The Agricultural Stewardship Initiative is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3.5-billion agreement between federal, provincial and territorial governments. The program includes $1 billion in federally delivered initiatives and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programming administered by provinces and territories.
The stewardship initiative also supports objectives outlined in Ontario’s Grow Ontario Strategy, which focuses on improving the competitiveness and resilience of the province’s agri-food sector.
