Funds available for on-farm environmental improvements

By Jen Llewellyn,
OMAFRA Nursery Crops Specialist

Donna Speranzini, OMAFRA’s nutrient management specialist, reports that the Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) has extended funding of environmental projects for 2008. The environmental efforts of horticultural producers continue to be recognized and encouraged. This funding bridges the gap between the Agriculture Policy Framework and the not-yet-announced Growing Forward federal initiative. The combined maximum contribution per legal farm entity for Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program (COFSP) and Greencover Canada (GC) is $50,000 (the maximum contribution from Greencover Canada alone is $20,000). An additional $15,000 is available from the Canada-Ontario Water Supply Expansion Program (COWSEP).

This is a grand total of $65,000 available over the previous program.  

Ontario producers with a third edition Environmental Farm Plan (EFP), deemed appropriate through peer review, are eligible to apply for cost-share incentives through the Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program, Greencover Canada and the Canada-Ontario Water Supply Expansion Program to implement actions identified in their farm plans. Producers who participated in a COFSP, GC or COWSEP between April, 2005 and March 31, 2008, will carry forward into 2008 any federal cost-share received for projects claimed during that period and still be eligible for total funding up to $65,000.

The cost-share available is for new projects initiated on, or after, April 1, 2008. No cost-share will be offered for project invoices issued prior to this date. All approved projects must be completed and operational, and a final inspection arranged with local OSCIA program representative by December 15, 2008.

The Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan has lots of opportunities for horticulture producers. Aside from the common EFP projects like well head upgrades, fuel and pesticide storage, soil erosion protection and shelterbelts, money is available for the following horticultural items:
 

IPM

• Equipment modifications for improved IPM (spray curtains, air induction or low drift nozzles, injection systems, spray towers, pesticide recovery units, rate controllers, tank rinse systems, air assist, foam marker systems, or GPS).
• Weather monitoring/reporting and prediction equipment, materials and services from a qualified provider.
• Record keeping software.
• Traps and sampling equipment.
• Costs of biocontrol or cultural control practices.
• Mobile water tanks for mounting on a trailer or truck.

Irrigation

• Irrigation equipment (low pressure nozzles, pipes, hoses, booms, filters and emitters, installation costs, soil moisture monitoring equipment, flow meters with totalized outputs, rain gauges).
• Water treatment units to meet fruit and vegetable wash-water standards, irrigation water quality standards, or to remove ions and odour;
• Water meters.

Water supply expansion

• Drilling and construction costs for new wells, test drilling and deepening current wells for agricultural use.
• Well development (pump testing, water quality samples, consulting fees).
• Hydrologic impact assessment fees for professionals.
• Cisterns where required for agricultural use from low flowing wells.
• Construction and consulting for new pond/reservoir (sized for drought, water quality sampling, hydro-G).
• Expansion of current pond.
• Pond aeration systems, pond liners and intake works, and fencing.

Fertigation

• Fertigation equipment (tanks, mixing, blending, metering systems, backflow valves.
• Planter modifications to include drip tape.
• Repairs and improvements to water intake systems.

On-farm composting

• Infrastructure and specialized equipment for composting (pads, walls, covers, vessels, conveyers, mixing, watering and monitoring).

Protection from wildlife

• Fencing to protect high value crops, and drip irrigation systems.
• Scaring and repellent systems (electronic, netting, noise, guard animals, and chemicals).

Funding is provided for anywhere from 30 to 50 per cent of the project, depending on the details. You have the opportunity to credit your time and machinery use as in-kind support for the project. Participants are also encouraged to take advantage of other sources of funding, for example your local conservation authority.

Although there is lots of money available, it is available on a first come, first served basis. So, if any of the projects identified are on your to-do list, the time is now for horticulture producers to take advantage of this program. This money can be accessed through your local EFP coordinator. This information is on the OSCIA website at www.ontariosoilcrop.org or by calling 1-800-265-9751.
 

Diseases and insect pests in mid-July to mid-August

Check out OMAFRA Publication 383, Nursery & Landscape Plant Production and IPM for more detailed monitoring tables (Chapter #3). To order, call 1-800-668-9938.

a) In areas where the following phenology plants (700-900 GDD Base 10oC):
    Hydrangea arborescens ‘Grandiflora’, flowers white to green
    Daucus carota, full bloom
    Hibiscus syriacus, early bloom
    Sorbus aucuparia fruit yellow

Monitor for the following pests and diseases:
 

b) In areas where the following phenology plants (900-1100 GDD Base 10oC)
    Solidago canadensis are in early to full bloom
    Hibiscus syriacus are in full bloom
    Hydrangea arborescens ‘Grandiflora’ are in late to finishing bloom
    Viburnum lantana are fruiting
    Sorbus aucuparia have orange fruit

Monitor for the following insects and diseases:
 

The Nursery-Landscape Report may be found at: http://apps.omafra.gov.on.ca/scripts/english/crops/agriphone/index.asp

Jen Llewellyn can be reached at (519) 824-4120, ext. 52671 or by e-mail at jennifer.llewellyn@ontario.ca