Farmers enhance land productivity with tile drainage grants

Mar 05, 2018

Timmins producers have tiled over 4,000 acres of farmland since 2014

Staff Reporter

Farms.com

Farmers in Timmins have increased their crop production with the help of the Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) and the Northeast Community Network (NeCN).

The two groups provide grants to area producers who wish to improve the tile drainage on their land, according to Thursday’s news release.

Since 2014, farmers have used the grants to tile over 4,000 acres of land.

This year, the groups expect to provide producers with “another 1,800 acres worth of land improvement grants,” the release stated.

Through the program, farmers can extend their growing season and thus increase their land’s productivity.

In general, fields that are tiled “allow farmers to plant earlier and harvest later” than fields that are not well drained, Antoine Vézina, a community development consultant with the TEDC, told Farms.com today.

This improvement can “allow for higher yields and enhanced market competitiveness,” according to the release.

Also, tile-drained fields provide crops with an environment more favourable for root development and “optimal plant growth,” Vézina said.

Farmers who have accessed the grants shared positive experiences.

“Since receiving the tile drainage grant, I’m able to grow potatoes and veggies in an area where I would regularly get stuck with my ATV,” Allen Graham, a farmer in Timmins, said in the release. “I can get on the land earlier in the season and have no issues when harvesting crops and produce later in the season.”

The grants cover 50 per cent of the eligible costs associated with tile installation, up to a maximum of $500 per acre.

In order to receive the grants, farmers must have licensed tile drainage contractors complete the work.

While applications for this year’s funding are closed, farmers can apply again in the fall.

Individuals in the “Cochrane District are invited to submit expressions of interest/application forms (from) October to December in the year prior to the desired tile drainage installation dates,” Vézina said.

stevanovicigor/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo

Video: Inside the World’s Largest Hemp Processing Line – How Fiber & Hempcrete Are Made

Inside the World’s Largest Hemp Processing Line – How Fiber & Hempcrete Are Made – Let's Dive In!

as we dive into an extraordinary journey inside some of the world’s most advanced hemp processing facilities — where millions of tons of raw hemp are transformed into high-value fiber, hurd, and sustainable hempcrete. This documentary uncovers the full production line, from harvesting freshly grown hemp to refining it into materials ready for construction, textiles, and next-generation green technology.

Engage with Us: Curious about hemp processing or the future of bio-materials? Share your questions in the comments, hit the like button, and subscribe to Agriculture Insight for more in-depth documentaries on global agricultural production!

Watch now to experience the massive scale and cutting-edge engineering behind modern hemp processing. Agriculture Insight takes you deep inside the operations of large-scale hemp facilities, highlighting the innovations shaping the future of sustainable industry.