Holland Marsh
Protect what makes the Marsh productive
If you farm in the Holland Marsh, you know that muck soils are a valuable and limited resource. We can work with you to help protect your soil and manage water more effectively, supporting both productivity and long-term sustainability on your farm.
Cover Crops
100% of seed costs, up to $2,000
Cover crops can boost your profits while protecting your soil. You may notice improved soil health within the first year of planting. They help improve water infiltration, relieve compaction from overworked soils, and add organic matter that supports beneficial soil life. Healthier soil can lead to increased crop yields, with the added benefit of reduced erosion during the winter months.
- 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
- Innovative projects meeting this category’s objectives will be considered
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. A site visit to verify cover crop species, areas planted and growth will be conducted.
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.
Projects must be a minimum cost of $250 before tax.
What’s 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 Conservation Authority, you won’t be eligible for funding.
Work that proceeds prior to funding approval does not qualify 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.
Complete the Landowner Information Form and the Project Profile Form to submit an application, along with:
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.
Tile Outlet Control Structures
50% of 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.
- 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
- Innovative projects meeting this category’s objectives will be considered
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
What’s covered:
- Permits
- Engineering or consulting fees
- Materials and labour associated with the approved project
- Ineligible Costs
- 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 Conservation Authority, you will not be eligible for funding
Work that proceeds prior to funding approval does not qualify for funding assistance.
Project site plan
Two cost quotations from qualified contractors
Only complete applications will be considered for funding assistance.
Wash Water Treatment Systems
50% of costs, up to $5,000 (de-dirting) or $20,000 (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!
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
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).
What’s 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
If you have an outstanding violation with the Conservation Authority, you won’t be eligible for funding.
Work that proceeds prior to funding approval does not qualify 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.
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.
Complete the Landowner Information Form and the Project Profile Form to submit an application, along with:
Project site plan
Two cost quotations from qualified contractors
Only complete applications will be considered for funding assistance.
Full service tree planting
Up to 100% costs
Are you losing land to the Holland River? Consider planting a buffer to reclaim your land and prevent future erosion.
Get started today!
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.
Need information from an Restoration Project Specialist?
- Bradford West Gwillimbury (Holland Marsh)
- New Tecumseth
- York Region
- Aurora
- East Gwillimbury
- King
- Newmarket
- Whitchurch-Stouffville
- Georgina
- Barrie
- City of Kawartha Lakes
- Durham Region
- Brock
- Scugog
- Uxbridge
- Simcoe County
- Bradford West Gwillimbury (excluding the Holland Marsh)
- Innisfil
- Oro-Medonte
- Ramara
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