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Ontario invests $1.8M in soil and water protection research projects

The Ontario government will invest $1.8 million for soil and water protection projects that look into developing new environmental technologies, practices and on-farm solutions.

“Farmers sustain crops and manage soil health – they are dedicated stewards of the lands they work,” said Ernie Hardeman, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “We want to continue providing farmers with the latest knowledge and tools, so they keep protecting our soil, water and air for generations to come.”

The investment is part of the province’s $5.8 million annual investment in the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, which supports research at the University of Guelph. The Alliance funds research in areas of environmental sustainability, animal and plant health and production, as well as agri-food and bio-product development.

Some of this research is aimed at helping farmers:

• Attract wild bees to help pollinate their fruit and vegetable crops
• Use the right tools to track soil health on their land
• Know what to grow off-season in corn fields to enhance productivity
• Overcome barriers that prevent some farmers from adopting best soil health practices

“We are proud to support research and innovation that help Ontario farmers stay competitive and make the agriculture and food sectors more resilient while maintaining strong environmental protection. This is another great example of how our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan ensures people in Ontario can benefit from both a healthy environment and a healthy economy,” said Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

As committed to in the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan, the research looks at ways to enhance soil health and water quality such as helping tackle algal blooms in the Great Lakes as well as making farmers more resilient to climate impacts.