The purpose of this program is to help landowners through the process of improving surface water quality by providing ground cover on farm lands when a crop is not normally growing, to reduce loss of excess nutrients from agricultural soils.

Funding

Landowners within the Lake Simcoe watershed may qualify for grants of 50 per cent of project costs for eligible projects, to a maximum of $1,000. Additional funds may be available from other environmental grant funding sources. LSRCA watershed coordinators will ensure that you are made aware of all the grant funding programs available to you.

What projects are eligible?

Establishment of non-economic cover crops

What costs may be covered?

Cost of appropriate non-economic cover crop seed and application
Consultation and planning fees for eligible acreage

What isn't covered?

Labour of applicant, family dependents or the applicant's business

Conditions

Priority will be given to areas directly adjacent to watercourses.
Crops may be tilled no sooner than the spring of the year following planting (may be chemically killed the previous fall). Cover crops must be destroyed before June 1 in any given year.
Only cover crops used exclusively for cover are eligible for grants. This excludes crops that are harvested or grazed, such as winter cereals, winter canola, and forages.
The cover crop must be verified by program staff before winter or before tillage to ensure that the cover crop is providing at least 50 percent ground cover. Failure to contact staff and verify crop will result in non-payment of the grant.
Work that proceeds prior to funding approval does not qualify for funding assistance.
If you have an outstanding violation with the LSRCA or any other regulatory agency, you may not be eligible.

How to Apply

Contact an LSRCA Watershed Coordinator