EASTERN ONTARIO — Four Eastern Ontario farms are among 17 in the province recently awarded a combined $7.4 million for clean technology projects.
The money flows through the federal Agricultural Clean Technology program that’s intended to boost on-farm energy efficiency, green energy, precision agriculture and the bioeconomy, “amid the climate challenges of today,” according to Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. The department lauds farmers for being “on the frontlines of the climate crisis.”
According to the program website, funding for three of the four approved Eastern Ontario projects involves solar panel installations: La Ferme Ben Ray Mo Ltd. of St-Albert ($190,825); Ferme Avicole M.S. Leroux Ltee of St. Isidore ($145,515); and Degroot Horizon Dairy Inc. of Hammond ($188,437).
The fourth project involves a new grain dryer installation at Paul DesRosiers O/A Ferme DesRosier of St-Albert ($204,057).
More than 60 projects across the country have been funded to the tune of $18.4-million. For-profit projects receive up to 50% funding, to a maximum of $2-million. Funding rises to 60% if owned in the majority by either: women: individuals 35 or under; Indigenous groups, visible minorities and people with disabilities.
The Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program is one small element of the Trudeau government’s $15 billion climate plan.
