The County and The County Foundation are pleased to announce that 20 farmers benefitted from the 2024 Municipal Agricultural Grants which aim to provide a community support to the agricultural sector through small grants that allow agricultural entities to overcome obstacles that otherwise make continuation of farming operations unnecessarily difficult.
The 2024 Municipal Agricultural Grants was administrated through a partnership with The County Foundation with funding provided by The County of Prince Edward.
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With permission from 3 of the 2024 recipients, we are pleased to share some of the projects that have been assisted through these grants.
Investment in Succession Planning
1 local farmer received a grant through the “Investment in succession planning” stream to assist them with some of the legal fees associated with putting an easement on their property. This process would allow them to protect the farmland in perpetuity with the Ontario Farmland Trust:
“This grant will allow me to plan for the future of my farm and protect its legacy by ensuring the land remains used for agricultural purposes. Part of this process involves consulting professional tax and legal advisors which is why I had applied for the grant to assist with those expenses and was grateful to have been approved for an Agricultural Grant.”
Projects positively impacting climate change
Additionally, 2 local farms received grants within the “Project to positively impact climate change” stream which showcased the many innovative ways farmers are tackling environmental issues as part of their work in the agricultural sector.
One of the recipients will be using the grant to convert abandoned farm fields into a silvopasture:
“With this project we are better able to pursue our intersecting goals of increasing land productivity and pasture quality while maintaining the carbon retention provided by mature tree growth. By keeping the majority of trees and thinning the canopy - selectively removing only as necessary, we are creating silvopasture which enables sunlight to be captured at two levels (i.e. by both the trees and surrounding ground-level flora) thus maximizing carbon sequestration and biodiversity while also enhancing operational productivity."
Another farmer will utilize the grant to install a biodigester on their farm which will assist with disposing of waste in an eco-friendly manner as well as assist with fertilizer production:
“A biodigester on the farm can significantly reduce waste by converting organic materials, like weeds, into biogas, a renewable energy source. This process not only provides a sustainable way to manage farm waste but also produces natural fertilizer as a byproduct, enhancing soil health and crop yields. Moreover, by generating its own energy, the farm can lower operational costs and reduce its carbon footprint, contributing to environmental sustainability.”
The Municipal Agricultural Grants assist our local farming community who are an essential part of our local economy and the County’s cultural identity. In addition to the grant streams highlighted above, the grants also support farmers experiencing a labour shortage or farms experiencing an unexpected expense or drop in revenue.
Additional Resources for Farmers
- Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
- Ontario Farmland Trust
- Small Business Centre
- Community Futures of Prince Edward Lennox and Addington
- Farm Credit Canada (FCC)
- Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA)
- The Guardian Network
- Agriculture Wellness Ontario
- Farmer Wellness Initiative
