Notice: The Soil Health Program 2023 and 2024 budget is now fully allocated. All of the successful applicants have been contacted and notified if their cover crop projects received funding approval. The LTVCA will still accept applications for projects, that will be placed on waiting list for review in the scenario that additional funds become available during 2023. However, it should be noted that if you submit an application at this time, the LTVCA cannot guarantee that funding will become available or allocated to the project in the future.
The objective of the LTVCA Soil Health Program is to support agricultural businesses that are implementing practices to improve soil health and regional water quality. Improvements to Soil Health can contribute to improving the environmental performance of the watershed’s agricultural sector by:
- sequestering carbon in soils to combat climate change
- mitigating the risk of wind, water, and tillage erosion
- improving water quality within the Thames River by reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorus loss
The 2023 Soil Health Program will offer agricultural producers financial incentives to plant cover crops in the LTVCA watershed.
Limited funding is available and will be allocated on a merit based and first come first served basis. The LTVCA encourages you to review the program criteria and submit an application as soon as possible to secure funds for your soil health project(s)!
The 2023-2024 project is undertaken with the financial support of the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, a Government of Canada Department of Environment and Climate Change program, in partnership with Conservation Ontario.
COVER CROP INCENTIVES
The Soil Health Program is offering eligible farm businesses $/acre incentives to plant cover crops in the LTVCA jurisdiction. Approved projects will be eligible to receive a $15.00/acre contribution towards cover crops plantings.
The Process:
Program Eligibility
– Landowners or tenant farmers are eligible.
– Fields must be located within the LTVCA jurisdiction (see map).
– No farm business can receive in excess of $7,500.00/yr through the Soil Health Program.
– Contributions are not available for plantings that will be harvested and sold as commodities, such as winter wheat.
– Cover crop plantings cannot be terminated through fall or winter tillage.
APPLY
To apply contact the LTVCA Outreach Specialist by emailing a completed application form to Sarah Cook. If your project is approved for funding, you will receive an approval letter via email in 4-6 weeks.
Soil Health Program Claim Form
REIMBURSEMENT
Once you have completed your cover crop panting, submit a claim form and the necessary support documents to the LTVCA Outreach Specialist by emailing a completed application form to Sarah Cook. Once the claim has been approved and the planting has been validated the LTVCA will send you the financial contribution! Soil Health Program Claim Form
Note: you must apply and receive a funding approval letter from the LTVCA to be eligible for reimbursement for a cover crop planting.
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