New funding will provide farmers with the tools they need to stay competitive and resilient in the global market
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing an additional $12 million through the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative to help farmers adopt practical improvements that increase efficiency, reduce costs and build long-term resilience. This initiative delivers on the government's plan to protect Ontario's farmers and agri-food sector by making strategic investments in cutting-edge solutions needed to support modern farming and help the sector remain resilient and competitive in the global marketplace.
Funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, this initiative provides successful applicants with funding between $6,000 to $90,000 for projects that support soil health, water quality and energy efficiency improvements, including replacing inefficient on-farm technologies, installing geothermal heating and adopting high-efficiency motor, ventilation, heating, cooling, refrigeration, grain drying and lighting systems. This latest investment represents the fourth intake of the program and builds on the $15.5 million already invested to support approximately 1,000 projects across Ontario since 2023.
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) will continue delivering the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative through the fourth intake, which opens for applications on July 8, 2026. Program details, eligibility requirements and application guidance are available through the OSCIA website.
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year (2023 to 2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of Canada's agriculture, agri‐food sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment for cost-shared programs delivered by provinces and territories.
