Field workers dressed head-to-toe in bright yellow rain gear shovel drainage channels in a Holland Marsh onion field under a steady drizzle.

Ontario invests $3 million protecting the Lake Simcoe Watershed

Funding offsets Holland Marsh farmer adoption of innovative phosphorus reduction technology

Ontario continues to encourage farmers to adopt technologies reducing phosphorus runoff into local watersheds with a $3 million Farm Washwater Innovation and Stewardship program addressing the Lake Simcoe Watershed.


Cattle mill in the knee-deep grasslands within the Grey-Dufferin Community Pasture in mid-June 2025. Photo: Beef Farmers of Ontario

Ontario cattle groups pioneer community pastures through first-ever public land lease agreements

New leasing model in Lambton County transforms conservation lands into sustainable grazing pastures with long-term environmental and farm sector benefits.

Lambton Cattlemen’s Association and Grey-Dufferin Community Pasture veer off the beaten path into conservation authority and municipal land leases to develop new community pastures within the St. Clair River Conservation Authority and Dufferin County.

Ontario Agricultural Stewardship Initiative third intake opens in August

Ontario Agricultural Stewardship Initiative third intake opens in August

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership funded Cost-share program to boost sustainability, productivity and competitiveness through Agri-Food energy efficiency projects

Ontario’s Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI)$3 million cost-share program intake opens on Aug. 13 at 9 a.m., helping agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based businesses improve energy efficiency and increase competitiveness, sustainability, and productivity.

Lake Erie, the shallowest of the Great Lakes, is most at risk from phosphorus loading.

New program aims to reduce phosphorus loading in Lake Erie

Lake Erie Enhanced Analysis of Agriculture Practices will use data-driven approach

The newly launched Lake Erie Enhanced Analysis of Agriculture Practices (LEEAAP) research program aims to reduce phosphorus loading from agricultural fields into Lake Erie. The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) said in a release the goal of the program is to expand the industry’s knowledge bank with a data-driven approach to help with […] Read more


Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, left, flanked by ag-sector representatives, announces a $100 million increase to the Risk Management Program over three years. Photo by Kristy Nudds

Ontario pledges $100 million increase to Risk Management Program

Farm groups have been calling for the increase as they considered the program underfunded

The Risk Management Program (RMP) is getting a $100 million boost over three years from the Ontario government. “Our government promised farmers we would continue to expand and enhance RMP, and with this historic investment, we have delivered,” said Rob Flack, minister of Agriculture Food and Agribusiness at VanQuaethem Farms Ltd. in Eden, Ont., January […] Read more

Goats play outside at the agritourism area at Udderly Ridiculous farm, which has been a beneficiary of training form Innovation Guelph.

Agritourism Ontario sets sights on growing sector

Ontario’s leading agritourism association is taking giant steps to grow the sector with funding help from the provincial government. Agritourism Ontario (formerly Farm Fresh Ontario) is heading into 2025 with a new name and look that is more reflective of what the association does, the organization said in a release. The nearly $345,000 in funding […] Read more

Temporary foreign worker supports to receive $1.5 million in cost-share funding

Temporary foreign worker supports to receive $1.5 million in cost-share funding

Cost share funding available for municipalities and organizations implementing community-building programs and other supports for foreign workers

A joint investment of $1.5 million is being made by the federal and provincial governments into programs designed to attract and retain international agri-food workers in Ontario communities. In a release, the governments said the funding will support initiatives that create a more welcoming environment for foreign workers, including providing stronger supports such as translation […] Read more


Increasing workforce diversity in Ontario’s agri-food sector

The Agriculture Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative (AWEDI) received $1.5 million in funding to assist minority groups with starting and building agri-food sector businesses. The funding will allow AWEDI to grant up to $100,000 to support business ventures by primary agricultural producers and food processors from under-represented groups. This includes Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, people […] Read more

“Doing nothing is not an option. Doing nothing costs businesses and farmers significantly. But choosing sustainability has to be sustainable, and that goes for the financials as well.” – Daniel Metherington

$9 million invested to increase sustainability and competitiveness of Ontario farms

The Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Initiative (OASI) is getting an additional $9 million from the federal and provincial governments.“We encourage our world-class farmers to seize the opportunities this program offers to improve their soil health, food production and long-term competitiveness,” said Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agri-business.OASI funding assists farmers with adopting new […] Read more