$12 million initiative supports soil health, water quality and energy efficiency on Ontario farms.
The governments of Canada and Ontario are providing an additional $12 million through the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI) to help farmers invest in technologies and management practices that improve efficiency, lower operating costs, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of their operations.
The funding is part of ongoing efforts to support Ontario’s agri-food sector and enhance its competitiveness in domestic and global markets.
Delivered through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the program offers successful applicants between $6,000 and $90,000 for eligible projects focused on improving soil health, water quality, and energy efficiency.
Since 2023, approximately 1,000 projects have received support through earlier funding rounds, representing investments of more than $15.5 million.
“Farmers are constantly seeking innovative approaches to caring for their land and improving energy efficiency," said The Honourable Heath MacDonald, the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
"This funding will help more Ontario farmers adopt best management practices and cleaner technologies that cut input costs, strengthen sustainability and support Ontario’s food independence, said MacDonald.”
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) will administer the fourth intake of the initiative, with applications opening July 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET and closing July 29, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Eligible projects include:
- Adding organic amendments
- Basic Energy Use Assessment (Level 1)
- Detailed Energy Audit (Level 2)
- Energy efficiency improvements
- Erosion control structures (FHCU Enhanced)
- Equipment and technology to enhance manure storage
- Equipment modifications to improve manure application (FHCU Enhanced)
- Equipment modifications to reduce soil compaction
- Nutrient application equipment modifications (FHCU Enhanced)
- Nutrient management and soil health planning (FHCU Enhanced)
- Larger-scale energy efficiency improvements
Applicants must have a completed and verified Environmental Farm Plan, while select phosphorus reduction projects in the Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair watersheds also require a completed Farmland Health Check-Up (FHCU).
“Ontario farmers are leaders in producing safe, high-quality food that families rely on every day. This investment will help farmers strengthen the sustainability and competitiveness of their operations, reduce costs, and build resilience for the future," stated Trevor Jones, the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
"As part of our plan to protect Ontario,” said Jones, “we are making strategic investments that help keep our agri-food sector strong, competitive and ready to meet the challenges of a changing world.”
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