Manage Your Soil
Healthy soil starts here
Build stronger, more resilient soil on your property with simple, practical actions. From testing and nutrient planning to cover crops and erosion control, funding is available to help you protect your soil, improve productivity, and support long-term environmental health.
Soil Testing and Nutrient Management Planning
50% of costs, up to $500 (stand alone) or $1,000 (with another project)
When was the last time you tested your soil? Every farm is different, and understanding your soil is key to improving crop performance. Soil testing helps you assess conditions, identify problem areas, and track changes over time. With funding support, you can plan your nutrient use more effectively to optimize crop yield and quality.
Soil testing and analysis by accredited laboratories
Nutrient management plans and strategies approved by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Innovative projects meeting this category’s objective will be considered.
To receive financial assistance on soil testing and nutrient management planning under this program, applicants must follow accepted soil sampling guidelines as outlined by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Visit Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation Directory of Laboratories or Standards Council of Canada to search for an accredited lab near you.
Projects must cost minimum of $500 before tax.
What’s covered?
Permits
Professional consulting fees for nutrient management planning by a certified crop advisor or an agronomist
Nutrient management training through Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; an individual can apply to this program for the training costs one time only
Only consulting fees for nutrient management planning OR nutrient management training can be claimed under this category
Soil and manure nutrient sampling and analysis from accredited labs
Materials and labour associated with the approved project
What isn’t covered?
Taxes
Soil samples from non-accredited labs
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:
The project site plan
Two cost quotations for proposed project
Only complete applications will be considered for funding assistance.
Cover Crops
100% of costs for seed, 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 or inter-planting with a new type of cover crop
Innovative projects meeting this category’s objective 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 (if available). Please identify the location and size of all fields where a cover crop is to be applied. A site visit must be conducted to verify cover crop species, areas planted and growth.
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.
Project 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, along with:
The 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.
Controlling Cropland Erosion
50% of costs, up to $5,000
How much soil is lost from your fields each year? Installing features such as grassed waterways, terraces, drop structures, or water and sediment control basins can help slow water movement and reduce erosion — protecting your soil and keeping it where it belongs.
Grassed waterways
Water and sediment control basin
Terraces
Drop Structures
Innovative projects meeting this category’s objective will be considered.
Conservation tillage practices are encouraged on adjacent fields and all collected water must be taken to a sufficient and legal outlet.
Projects must be constructed according to Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Soil and Erosion Manual specifications. Design by professional engineers may be advisable on complex and/or large projects. The private sector is expected to fill these requirements. Supervision of construction is not mandatory, yet may be specified as required by program representatives on large and/or complex projects.
Projects must obtain approval from appropriate agencies prior to construction. In addition, any work done on municipal drains also requires prior approval from the municipality. It is the applicant’s responsibility to meet all municipal, provincial and/or federal regulatory or legal requirements.
What’s covered?
Professional designs
Tile outlet protection including rip rap or appropriate armour material, filter cloth, rodent guards
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
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:
Project site plan
Two cost quotations from qualified contractors
Only complete applications will be considered for funding assistance.
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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