** NOTICE: THE 2024 ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS IS FULLY DISTRIBUTED.**
ALL applicants will be waitlisted until the release of 2025 funds. If you have questions about the BMP program or your application, please contact the LTVCA Agriculture Stewardship Specialist at [email protected], or the Agriculture Program Coordinator at [email protected].
New agriculture funding available for Chatham-Kent farmers combatting algal bloom growth within the Lower Thames River Watershed.
The Lower Thames River Watershed Precision Phosphorus Reduction Program (PPRP) is a four-year, multi-part project presented by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA). Applications for funding opened in November 2024 and run to 2028.
LTVCA’s PPRP is one of fifty projects funded by The Canada Clean Water Agency to work towards reducing phosphorus in Lake Erie. The program, delivered through the federal Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative for Toxic and Nuisance Algae from Environment Climate Change Canada, will address regional environmental concerns of reducing excess phosphorus nutrient loading to the Great Lakes through Lake Erie Basin from the Lower Thames River.
Chatham-Kent is a recognized leader in Ontario agriculture. Crops of over 70 varieties are grown locally, says the Municipality. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth and soil health. The issue does not actually arise from using phosphorus, but the aftermath of excess phosphorus reaching our waterways.
BMP Guidelines and Eligibility
Financial Incentives:
Funding available for up to 250 acres.
- $10/acre: Harvested/Grazed Cover Crop
- $20/acre: Not Harvested Cover Crop
- $30-$40/acre: Not Harvested Cover Crop on High-Risk Croplands (along significant waterways)
- To be determined upon application on a case-by-case basis
Eligibility:
- Fields(s) must be located in the LTVCA jurisdiction
- Cover crop must provide adequate cover to the field for the non-growing season
- Minimum 50% residue the following spring is required
Eligible Projects:
- Cover crops interseeded/overseeded into annual crop or seeded following harvest of annual crop
- Single or multispecies cover crops
- Fall burndown of cover crops is discouraged but acceptable if adequate residue criteria are met in spring
Eligible Costs:
- Cover crop seed
- Cost of planting, including custom planting costs or equipment rental
Ineligible Costs:
- Costs associated with cover crop termination such as burndown/tillage/crimping
- Cover crops harvested as a marketable grain crop
- Planting invasive species
- Winter wheat, alfalfa, canola and triticale as a single species
Verification Process
To confirm the grower meets protocols LTVCA will require:
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- Site visit March/April to ensure residue requirements are met
Financial Incentives:
Funding available for 90% up to $10,000.
Eligibility:
- Properties must be located in the LTVCA jurisdiction
- Projects must be constructed to the standards in the OMAFRA Pub. 832 Agricultural Erosion Control Structures
- Projects must be designed and constructed by a qualified erosion control contractor. Find more information here.
Eligible Projects:
- Water and Sediment Control Basins (WASCoB)
- Grassed Waterways
- Drop Structures
- Rock Chutes
- Streambank Stabilization
Eligible Costs:
- Professional consulting, design & construction
- Material costs
Ineligible Costs:
- New tile drainage not part of the project
- Labour and machinery use of applicant, family dependents or applicant’s business
- Project that is a legal or legislative requirement
Financial Incentives:
Funding available for 80% up to $20/acre and 250 acres.
Eligibility:
- Fields(s) must be located in the LTVCA jurisdiction
- Fields must support Variable Rate Phosphorus application where applicable
Eligible Projects:
3-Year Crop Nutrient Plan requiring:
Option 1:
- Soil Sampling Program (Once every 3 years)
-
- At least 1 sample per 2.5ac using Site Specific (Grid) or Smart Zone approach.
-
OR
Option 2:
- Soil Optix Based Sampling
- Georeferenced Field Boundary and Sample Locations
- 4R Timing, Source, Placement and Rate of inputs to be applied
- Variable Rate Application (if necessary) of P based on OMAFRA guidelines.
- P application in autumn/winter is prohibited unless cover crop is/will be established **
- Manure applications must be injected or immediately incorporated (24hr) unless placed on growing cover crop **
- Tillage Practices/Timing
- Conventional Tillage in fall is prohibited unless going immediately into cover crop **
* See Cover Crop Guidelines for additional funding opportunities *
Eligible Costs:
- Soil sampling labour and sample analysis (from accredited laboratory)
- Consulting fees
- Manure laboratory analysis
Ineligible Costs:
- Equipment, computer hardware and software purchases
- Crop scouting and pest monitoring
Verification Process
To confirm grower meets protocols the LTVCA will require the following:
- Soil Test results with P recommendations from accredited laboratory
- Field boundary and point shapefiles with merged lab data
- Soil Fertility map book
- 3 year cropping plan to review
- VRA – P Script PDF and Shapefiles
- As-applied P map and date of application
Financial Incentives:
Funding available for $15/acre up to 250 acres.
- Variable Rate Application of Phosphorus
- Banding of Dry Phosphorus at planting
- Minimum 20 lb/ac P2O5
- Manure Injection
Eligibility:
- Fields(s) must be located in the LTVCA jurisdiction
- Soil Sampling Program required with sample results no older than 3 years
- At least 1 sample per 2.5 acres using Site Specific (Grid) or Smart Zone approach.
OR
- Soil Optix Based Sampling
Eligible Costs:
- Labour and application costs
Ineligible Costs:
- Equipment modifications
Verification Process
- VRA – P Script PDF and Shapefiles
- As-applied Phosphorus map and date of application
- Planter mix
Financial Incentives:
Up to 100% of $10,000.
Eligibility:
- Fields(s) must be located in the LTVCA jurisdiction
- Buffer strips must be at least 5m wide and adjacent to a watercourse/waterbody
- Buffer strips must be at least 150m long
Eligible Projects:
- Establishment of permanent naturally vegetated buffer strip adjacent to a watercourse/waterbody
Eligible Costs:
- Consulting and construction costs
- Planting costs including labour
- Costs for native seed, shrubs and trees
Ineligible Costs:
- Windbreaks
- Large tree stock