News release
DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS TO "GREEN" ONTARIO AGRICULTURE
GUELPH, Ontario, June 20, 2006 - Demonstration projects at ten sites across Ontario will help showcase farming practices that offer environmental and economic benefits to farmers.
The governments of Canada and Ontario will invest $628,400 through the Technical Assistance component of the Greencover Canada initiative to support a variety of on-farm projects that aim to improve water quality and quantity, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, control erosion and reduce greenhouse gases.
"Environmental stewardship is critical for the industry's long-term health and vitality," said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. "By providing funding for on-farm environmental initiatives, Canada's new government is supporting producers' efforts to adopt practices that make economic sense and protect ecosystems."
"Ontario's farmers are stewards of the land and environment and the McGuinty government is helping them continue that tradition," said Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky. "With this initiative, farmers can gain important hands-on experience with new technology. Farmers benefit and so does Ontario's environment."
Greencover Canada funding is provided under the Agricultural Policy Framework, a federal-provincial-territorial agreement. The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) delivers the Greencover program in Ontario, in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
"This is an excellent example of producers and conservation specialists working together to improve on-farm management of the environment," said Keith Black, President of the OSCIA.
AAFC is working with provincial, territorial and industry partners to develop programs and promote sound farm stewardship practices. For more information on AAFC's environment programs and services, visit www.agr.gc.ca or call 1-800-667-8567.
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For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
613 759-7972
1-866-345-7972
Chris Flavelle
Minister Dombrowsky's Office
416 326-3072
Andrew Graham
Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
1-800-265-9751
BACKGROUNDER
Greencover Canada Demonstration Projects in Ontario
Greencover Canada (GC) is a five-year, $110-million dollar Government of Canada program which provides producers with technical and financial assistance to implement land-use related farming practices that offer both environmental and economic benefits. In Ontario, $15 million has been allocated under Greencover Canada until April 1, 2008. The program is delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association.
Under the technical assistance component of the Greencover Canada Program in Ontario, ten on-farm demonstration projects involving Greencover beneficial management practice (BMP) verification are being established at various sites across the province. The purpose of the projects is to measure the performance of specific Greencover BMPs on the landscape, and promote these practices to farmers and the community. The two-year budget for these ten projects, which will continue until March 31, 2008, is $628,400.
1) "Scott Municipal Drain" Project
Proponents: Maitland Valley Conservation Authority in partnership with the Municipality of North Huron
Funding Support: $70,000 from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008
Location: One site; Lot 35, Concession 7, Former East Wawanosh Ward, Municipality of Huron North
This project will demonstrate a variety of GC BMPs, including grassed waterways to carry surface water to protected outlets; diversion and sediment control berms; constructed wetlands; vegetated riparian buffer strips and shelterbelts. New technologies will be demonstrated as well, such as a dispersion sandwich nitrate treatment system.
2) "Waring Creek Watershed" Project
Proponents: Prince Edward Stewardship Council in partnership with landowners in Waring Creek Watershed, Waring Creek Improvement Association, Prince Edward County Federation of Agriculture, Prince Edward County Soil & Crop Improvement Association, Quinte Conservation, Ontario Wetland Habitat Fund, Ministry of Natural Resources Glenora Research Station, Ministry of Natural Resources Community Fisheries and the Wildlife Improvement Program
Funding Support: $70,000 from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008
Location: Ten farm properties along the Waring Creek Watershed in Prince Edward County
This project will demonstrate a variety of GC BMPs - remote watering systems, buffer establishment, fencing to manage grazing and improve riparian conditions, improved stream crossings, in-channel control and retention ponds, grassed waterways, and shelterbelt establishment.
3) "Leeds County" Demonstration Project
Proponents: Leeds County Stewardship Council in partnership with the Leeds Federation of Agriculture, the Leeds Soil and Crop Improvement Association, the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve and the Charleston Lake Environmental Association
Funding Support: $70,000 from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008
Location: 30 farm properties in the Beales Creek Watershed of Leeds County
This project will create a demonstration area profiling multiple examples of at least four beneficial management practices on 30 farm properties in the Beales Creek Watershed of eastern Ontario. Agricultural activity consists mostly of mixed farms, dairy, beef and cash cropping.
Over the life of this project, the proponents will feature a variety of BMPs in the demonstration area. The goal of this project is to install a minimum 5000 m of fencing; ten alternative watering systems; at least five stream crossings; one retention pond/constructed wetland feature; and the establishment of shelterbelts on a minimum of five farm properties.
4) "Ecological Performance of Buffers" Demonstration Project
Proponents: Grand River Conservation Authority
Funding Support: $68,400 from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008
Location: 20 existing buffer sites along the Grand River Watershed
This project will assess the impacts of existing buffer sites on water quality in the Grand River Watershed, by using indicators such as the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI). The results of this project will encourage farmers and other landowners to use buffer strips in riparian areas.
5) "Direct Seeding of Native Trees" Demonstration Project
Proponents: Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
Funding Support: $30,000 from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008
Location: Carolinian Life Zone - 6 sites located in Haldimand, Norfolk, Oxford, Middlesex and Elgin (2) counties
The objective of this demonstration project is to determine if the direct seeding (planting seeds directly to the land) of native plant materials is a cost-effective, viable option to planting bareroot seedling stock in on-farm restoration projects, e.g., field windbreaks, shelterbelts, riparian buffers, and highly erodable land retirement. It is anticipated that direct seeding will encourage a diverse mix of native trees and shrubs which will result in healthier restoration projects.
6) "Dispersion Sandwich" Demonstration Project
Proponent: Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
Funding Support: $40,000 from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008
Location: Several locations in the Upper Thames River Watershed
The objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of using woodchips to protect shallow groundwater from nitrate contamination in riparian areas. This new, low-cost technology is called a "dispersion sandwich." The project will show that these "sandwiches" can be installed along watercourses or around wetlands and environmentally sensitive areas to treat and protect water quality.
7) "Innovative Livestock Restriction" Demonstration Project
Proponent: Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
Funding Support: $70,000 from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008
Location: 4 sites in the Upper Thames River Watershed
This project will demonstrate innovative techniques: to restrict livestock from watercourses in order to control streambank erosion and enhance aquatic areas; to enhance species diversity on the agricultural landscape; and, to protect both the quality and quantity of existing water supplies. The following techniques will be demonstrated: installing a "Texas Gate" along sections of a watercourse to see if cattle will respect it; introducing natural channel design techniques into a watercourse in order to help move sediment and narrow the channel; the effectiveness of a "virtual fence" along a creek; and, streambank planting of selected shrub and tree species to encourage biodiversity, shade and improve aesthetics.
8) "South Branch of the South Nation River" Demonstration Project
Proponent: South Nation Conservation
Funding Support: $70,000 from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008
Location: South Dundas Township in eastern Ontario - South Branch of the South Nation River
From 1994 -1997, South Nation Conservation and the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association collected baseline data for the South Branch, including studies of partridge, fish, invertebrates, and wildlife as well as surveys of area farmers and landowners. The new study will collect information on current conditions and compare to baseline data, in order to determine the success of the initial project. Research activities will include species diversity and population assessments, evaluation of fish migration structures, and water quality analysis.
9) "Pine River Ranch" Demonstration Project
Proponents: Rainy River Soil & Crop Improvement Association in cooperation with the Pine River Ranch
Funding Support: $70,000 from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008
Location: Pine River Ranch, northeast of Pinewood, Ont., in the Pinewood River watershed
This demonstration project will include the establishment of shelterbelts and riparian buffer zones. Two streams will receive an upgrade of their riparian zone establishment (2200 m) and an additional 500 m of riparian zone will be established to complement what is already in place. As well, 2500 m of shelterbelts will be established along two laneways, around the north side of farmstead buildings and around a spring-fed pond. The second part of the project will involve establishing a riparian buffer zone along both sides of a waterway which is located in a cattle over wintering site.
10) "Effectiveness of Buffers" Demonstration Project
Proponent: University of Guelph
Funding Support: $70,000 from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008
Location: Washington Creek in Oxford County, within the Grand River Watershed
The project will assess the long-term effectiveness of vegetative buffers in mitigating agricultural impacts, including nutrient loading, on soil and water quality. Four land-use systems that interact with Washington Creek stream will be studied: a natural forested region, containing tree species common to southern Ontario; pasture area in which cattle have traditionally had access to the stream for a source of drinking water; a cropped area supporting a standard soybean-corn rotation; and, a "rehabilitated" section composed of planted trees now approximately 20 years of age. The project will also assess improvements in species biodiversity, and determine the carbon sequestration potential of the four systems.
Contacts:
Nancy Cherny
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
519 837-5856
Andrew Graham
Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
1-800-265-9751
Brent Kennedy
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
519 826 3559
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