Efforts continue by the federal and provincial governments to improve the water conditions for local farmers.

Local MPP and Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton says the Lake Erie Agriculture Demonstrating Sustainability Initiative is putting $2.5-million into 220 projects across southwestern Ontario.

“this initiative supports multiple actions by farmers to reduce the risk of nutrient loss, to improve soil health of farmland, and to improve overall water quality and protect our environment.”

Projects include the construction of erosion control structures, planting wind breaks, and equipment modifications. Overall this is a five year plan at a cost of just over $15-million.

“It’s all about reducing the amount of phosphorus entering Lake Erie, and ensuring that we work to reduce algae blooms, which can obviously be harmful to human health and the environment.” McNaughton says.

“It continues our commitment to protect water by investing in environmental improvement projects that support more sustainable operations for farmers in the Lake Erie and Lake St Clair watersheds.”