The next intake for the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI) opens on Aug. 13 at 9 a.m., offering up to $3 million for agricultural energy efficiency projects.
Why it matters: The cost-share program helps local agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based businesses improve energy efficiency, thereby boosting competitiveness, sustainability, and productivity.
Successful applications could receive between $10,000 and $90,000 to improve energy efficiency by replacing inefficient on-farm technologies, installing geothermal heating and high-efficiency motors, as well as ventilation, heating, cooling, refrigeration, grain drying, and lighting systems.
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Eligible Ontario farmers can submit one application for the third intake, which closes Sept. 3. The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) is delivering the funds, which come from the the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
“The opportunities offered under the (ASI) will support producers in understanding how much energy is used on their farms, and in implementing energy efficiency improvements that can reduce electrical and fossil fuel use and the rising costs of agricultural production,” said Eleanor Renaud, OSCIA president.
She said the initiative’s objectives align with OSCIA’s mission to provide farmers with access to programs, knowledge, and a community that supports the economic management of soil, water, air, and crops through innovative farming practices.
Trevor Jones, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, announced that, including this third round of funding, a total of up to $15.5 million has supported hundreds of Ontario farms with over 870 projects since 2023.
“The (ASI) is helping our farmers make their businesses more efficient and boosting the long-term competitiveness of the sector to withstand the current economic uncertainty and whatever else comes our way,” said Jones.
To assist with intake preparedness, OSCIA field representatives will offer online program information sessions in English on July 22 and 29 at 7 p.m., Aug. 12 at noon, Aug. 19 at 7:30 a.m., and in French, on Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. Pre-registration is required; please go to https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/agricultural-stewardship-initiative/
