Funding for soil health along Great Lakes

TORONTO — The provincial and federal governments will be offering $16 million over the next four years to help farmers improve soil health and promote environmental stewardship around the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes agricultural stewardship initiative, which focuses on the Lake Erie basin and the southeast shore of Lake Huron, will provide the money under the Growing Forward 2 program to:

• Identify ways producers can improve soil health, reduce runoff, and improve pollinator habitat;

• Modify equipment to address risks related to manure application and pollinator health; and

• Adopt best management practices, including soil erosion control structures, cover crops, residue management, buffer and shelter strips.

The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association is spearheading the initiative.