Newly announced government funding is helping Ontario farmers improve their farmlands.
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $14.6 million through the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program to give farmers the tools they need to build long-term resiliency and stay competitive in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty.
The program connects farmers to technical support and organizations that can make it easier for farmers who carry out large-scale environmental projects on their land, including carbon sequestering and reducing emissions.
“Ontario farmers are incredible, caring stewards of their lands, who work hard to make them more productive and resilient – even as they face challenges out of their control,” said Trevor Jones, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Our government is proud to support them with investments that protect farmland, build a resilient agricultural sector and help grow Ontario’s economy.”
Another $5 million is being invested in the RALP Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Initiative, delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, to help farmers access funding to plant grasslands and trees, reduce tillage and build water retention features. Officials say these improvements help farmers better withstand extreme weather, improve soil and water health and boost biodiversity.
“RALP is an opportunity for Ontario farmers to support their continuous investment in the long-term health of their land,” said Kerry Wright, Executive Director of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. “Our mission is to facilitate responsible economic management of soil, water, air and crops. This aligns with the delivery of RALP funding as another way we help farmers make their agricultural lands more productive and resilient.”
