Holland Marsh
If you farm in the Holland Marsh, you know that the muck soils are a precious resource. We can work with you to help you protect your soil and water resources on the farm.
Cover Crops
100% of the costs for seed, up to $2,000
Cover crops can boost your profits and prevent soil erosion. You'll notice improved soil health within the first year of planting! Cover crops improve soil health by improving infiltration of excess surface water, relieving compaction of overtilled soil and adding organic matter to encourage beneficial soil microbial life. This improved soil health will increase your crop yields, with the added benefit of reduced soil erosion in the winter months.
Tile Outlet Control Structures*
50% of project costs up to $2,000
Water control structures in tile drainage can help manage water in tile-drained fields to protect water quality and reduce your irrigation costs. Controlled tile drainage involves the installation of simple flow control systems at tile drain outlets to better manage water flow from fields.
Wash Water Treatment Systems*
50% of project costs up to $5,000 for de-dirting or $20,000 for water re-use
How effectively are you removing excess soils, nitrogen, phosphates and more from your vegetables? Have you considered closing your water-use loop? Improve your wash water management by incorporating the newest technologies to ensure your farm remains cutting edge and profitable.
*Funding is limited so act today.
Are you losing land to the Holland River? Consider planting a buffer to reclaim your land and prevent future erosion. We can cover 50 - 90% of planting costs.
Project Details
Tile Outlet Control Structures
What projects are eligible?
- New tile drain control structures
- Drainage headers to reduce the number of required control structures
- Retrofits of tile drain control structures into existing tile drainage
- LSRCA will consider innovative projects if it meets the objectives of the category
Project Details
Priority will be given to projects that are:
- within 100m from surface water
- using the control structure during the growing season and post-harvest to optimize nutrient reduction and infiltration
- on properties with flat topography (less than 0.5%) and intensive tile systems
- on properties with current drainage issues
Projects must ensure that water levels are maintained and do not negatively impact neighbouring properties.
The number and location of structures will depend on the drainage system and spacing, (i.e. one structure for every 10-20 acres).
Applicants must receive all required permits prior to commencing the project and must comply with the
Agricultural Tile Drainage Installation Act.
Projects must have a maintenance plan to address potential clogging, cave-ins, erosion and additional safety precautions.
Site access must be granted to allow LSRCA staff to inspect the tile outlet structure throughout the year, i.e. prior to planting, during the growing season and pre/post-harvest.
Applicants must obtain all required permits prior to commencing the project. Projects in and along waterways, ditches or drains may need approval or permits from municipalities, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Or the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority prior to implementation. The applicant is responsible for acquiring all necessary permits.
What costs are covered?
- Permits
- Engineering or consulting fees
- Materials and labour associated with the approved project
What isn't covered?
- Taxes
- Installation of new, systematic tile drainage, or repairs to existing tile drainage system
- Machinery or equipment owned and used by the applicant, family dependents or the applicant's business
- Labour of applicant, family dependents or the applicant's business
- If you have an outstanding violation with the LSRCA, you will not be eligible for funding
-
Work that proceeds prior to funding approval does not qualify for funding assistance
How to Apply
Complete the Landowner Information Form and the Project Profile Form to submit an application.
Be prepared to submit the following with your application:
- Project site plan
- Two cost quotations from qualified contractors
Only complete applications will be considered for funding assistance.
Please contact a Restoration Project Specialist to verify program eligibility and to answer any questions/concerns you may have about the program and/or the application process. This is a voluntary program and all calls are confidential.
Wash Water Treatment Systems
What projects are eligible?
- Soil removal from vegetables prior to vegetable washing ('de-dirting")
- Water recycling and reuse projects if they eliminate the release of effluent into a watercourse
- New technologies will be considered on a case by case basis, if they meet the objectives of the category
Project Details
Priority will be given to projects that are within 100m of surface water.
Projects must meet current Construction and Siting protocols and other requirements under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 (Ontario Regulation 267/03)
Applicants must obtain all required permits prior to commencing the project. Projects in and along waterways, ditches or drains may need approval or permits from municipalities, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, or the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority prior to implementation.
The applicant is responsible for acquiring all necessary permits.
What costs are covered?
- Permits
- Engineering or consulting fees
- Materials and labour associated with the approved project
What isn't covered?
- Taxes
- Machinery or equipment owned and used by the applicant, family dependents or the applicant's business
- Labour of applicant, family dependents or the applicant's business
- Any project components which are under Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECA)
- If you have an outstanding violation with the LSRCA, you will not be eligible for funding
-
Work that proceeds prior to funding approval does not qualify for funding assistance
How to Apply
Complete the Landowner Information Form and the Project Profile Form to submit an application.
Be prepared to submit the following with your application:
- Project site plan
- Two cost quotations from qualified contractors
Only complete applications will be considered for funding assistance.
Please contact a Restoration Project Specialist to verify program eligibility and to answer any questions/concerns you may have about the program and/or the application process. This is a voluntary program and all calls are confidential.
Cover Crops
What projects are eligible?
- Establishment of non-economic cover crops
- Inter-planting of cover crops in-season on land where they have not previously been applied, or inter-planting with a new type of cover crop
- LSRCA will consider innovative projects if it meets the objective of the category.
Project Details
Where cover cropping has been practiced in previous years, please provide a copy of the previous year’s seed list and receipt(s).
A detailed, three year cover cropping plan and rotation plan is to be included with the application. Please identify the location and size of all fields where a cover crop is to be applied. LSRCA staff must conduct a site visit to verify cover crop species, areas planted and growth.
Projects must be a minimum cost of $250 before tax.
For more information and considerations when choosing cover crops, visit Midwest Cover Crops Council or the
Innovations in Cover Crops to use their cover cropping decision tools.
What costs are covered?
- Cost of appropriate non-economic cover crop seed
What isn't covered?
- Taxes
- Machinery or equipment owned and used by the applicant, family dependents or the applicant's business
- Labour of applicant, family dependents or the applicant's business
- If you have an outstanding violation with the LSRCA, you will not be eligible for funding
- Work that proceeds prior to funding approval does not qualify for funding assistance
How to Apply
Complete the Landowner Information Form and the Project Profile Form to submit an application.
Be prepared to submit the following with your application:
- Completed Landowner Information Form
- Project site plan
- Two cost quotations for proposed project
- Receipt from the previous year's purchase of cover crop seed (if applicable)
- Detailed 3 year cover cropping and rotation plan (if available)
Only complete applications will be considered for funding assistance.
Please contact a Restoration Project Specialist to verify program eligibility and to answer any questions/concerns you may have about the program and/or the application process. This is a voluntary program and all calls are confidential.
How can you get started?
The process is simple. Identify a project that will improve your productivity and protect your land. Contact our Restoration experts to book a free, confidential site visit to review your project and begin the application process.
