The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association is pleased to announce that the funding available through the 2016 Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP) has been fully allocated to Ontario farmers. With over 100 on-farm projects in 27 counties across the province that support valuable farm habitat for species at risk (SAR), this year’s SARFIP has benefitted more farmers and SAR than ever before!
“We’re thrilled by the commitment that Ontario farmers are making to support species at risk on their farms,” said Christine Schmalz, Environmental Programs Manager at OSCIA. “The overwhelming response this year is very encouraging and showcases the strong stewardship farmers feel for helping species at risk.”
Of the over 100 projects funded, SARFIP supported projects from nearly all commodity groups in the province. Collectively, SARFIP projects this year will: manage invasive plant species on approximately 60 acres of farmland; restore over 20 acres of wetlands; install 16,000 meters of permanent fencing to exclude livestock from environmentally sensitive areas, like forests and streams; and plant over 32,000 trees across Ontario.
“A big thank you goes out to all of the farmers completing SARFIP projects this year,” expressed Andrew Graham, Executive Director of OSCIA. “The actions they’re taking are contributing significantly to the health of the environment and the critical habitat on farms across Ontario.”
Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2016 Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program, but producers are encouraged to check back for new SARFIP opportunities in the spring of 2017.
The Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program is funded by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund and the Government of Canada through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk.
Source : Ontariosoilcrop