The federal and provincial governments are investing up to $14.6 million through the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) to help Ontario farmers make improvements to their farmland.
The funding is part of the province’s Grow Ontario Strategy, which aims to give farmers tools to build long-term resiliency and remain competitive in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty.
“We’re working with farmers in Ontario to help them take care of their soil, keep their water clean, and make their farms stronger in the face of environmental challenges,” said Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “By supporting natural infrastructure and sustainable practices, we’re helping to protect our farmlands and strengthen Canada’s food system.”
Ontario Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Minister Trevor Jones said the province’s farmers continue to demonstrate their commitment to land stewardship. “Ontario farmers are incredible, caring stewards of their lands, who work hard to make them more productive and resilient – even as they face challenges out of their control,” he said. “Our government is proud to support them with investments that protect farmland, build a resilient agricultural sector and help grow Ontario’s economy.”
As part of the funding, the RALP Marginal Lands Initiative, delivered by Conservation Ontario, will receive an additional $9.6 million to help farmers create or enhance wetlands, pollinator habitats and other natural features on marginal farmland. The program also connects farmers with technical support and organizations that can assist with large-scale environmental projects, including carbon sequestration and emissions reduction.
Another $5 million is being directed to the RALP Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Initiative, delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. The initiative will help farmers access funding to plant grasslands and trees, reduce tillage and build water retention features, measures that officials say will help withstand extreme weather, improve soil and water health, and boost biodiversity.
Conservation Ontario chair and Uxbridge mayor Dave Barton welcomed the investment. “Conservation Ontario is proud to work with the Province of Ontario and local partners on this project,” he said. “Together, we’re helping farmers across the province take on environmental projects that support their farms and protect the land—both important for Ontario’s future and economy.”
Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association executive director Kerry Wright said the program supports ongoing commitments from farmers to protect their land. “RALP is an opportunity for Ontario farmers to support their continuous investment in the long-term health of their land,” Wright said. “Our mission is to facilitate responsible economic management of soil, water, air and crops. This aligns with the delivery of RALP funding as another way we help farmers make their agricultural lands more productive and resilient.”
The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program is part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3.5-billion investment shared by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency in Canada’s agriculture sector.
