ON Regional Economic Development

New cost-share funding assistance is now available for Ontario producers through Growing Forward 2 (GF2) to make their operations more energy efficient and adopt enhanced environmental agricultural practices. This support will help Ontario farmers continue to combat climate change by boosting energy efficiency on farming operations.

The four new cost-share GF2 project categories will help support environmental stewardship on farms and were announced by the governments of Ontario and Canada on March 10, 2017.

Producers will now have the opportunity to request funding support to help make changes that will deliver energy efficiency or conservation upgrades. Additionally, there is opportunity to access new funding support for approved measures to improve water quality and soil health on farms.

“This investment demonstrates our government’s continued commitment to assisting farmers in their efforts to enhance environmental stewardship,” said Jeff Leal, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Applications will be accepted in two intake periods. The first intake is from April 4 to April 18, 2017. The next intake is from May 12 to June 1, 2017.

GF2 was launched in 2013 and is a five-year commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments to support Canada’s agri-food and agri-based products sector.

Here are some examples of projects that may be eligible under the updated programming:

• Upgrades to boiler or heating systems.
• Upgrades to improved permanent greenhouse cover materials including the addition of extra layers, or replacement with more energy efficient options.
• Retrofits to grain dryers for heat reclamation.
• Installation or upgrades to ventilation heat exchangers.
• Upgrading to more energy efficient lighting systems in existing agricultural facilities.
• Engineering or installation work related to adding geothermal heating units to agricultural facilities.
• Modifications of existing tillage and nutrient application equipment.

For more information about this cost-share funding assistance for producers, its guidelines and the application process, visit the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association website at: http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/oscia-programs/growing-forward-2/ or call 1-800-265-9751.