Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority officials say funding is now available for farmers in the Lower Thames Valley looking to prioritize the health of their fields.
“Phosphorus is an essential nutrient,” LTVCA officials say.
“It is crucial for crop growth, soil health and balanced aquatic ecosystems. The problem starts when there is too much. Excess phosphorus in streams and lakes promotes algal blooms, which can negatively affect water quality and aquatic life.”
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) was awarded $13-million from the Canada Water Agency to work towards preventing nuisance algae in Lake Erie from excess phosphorus loading in the Thames River.
LTVCA is one of 50 organizations to receive funding from the Great Lakes Ecosystem Initiative.
The Precision Phosphorus Reduction Program (PPRP) provides farmers with education, resources and funding to implement identified regional Best Management Practices (BMPs) in eight categories: cover crops, crop planning, alternative phosphorus use, erosion control structures, buffer strips, windbreaks and innovative projects.
Financial support is available as cost-share or per acre incentives with a goal to provide the tools required for agriculture producers to create and implement sustainable solutions for their farms, LTVCA officials say.
The LTVCA phosphorus program will run through 2028.
The multi-year, multimillion-dollar funding program is available for agriculture producers or landowners within the Lower Thames Valley region.
Those residing outside of the watershed are still in luck.
The three neighbouring conservation authorities St Clair Region, Essex Region and Upper Thames River are offering similar funding programs in their regions.
Find out more about farm grants in Ontario with LTVCA, here.
