Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) has a few programs that are currently open for applicants.
For more information, visit the 2013-2018 OSCIA Grants section on the OSCIA website.
Grassroot Funding Grants
Three programs funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP) are accepting applicants.
Communication and Outreach Grants
The Communications and Outreach Grant supports part-time Regional Communication Coordinators across OSCIA’s 11 regions to strengthen communication, knowledge sharing, and member engagement. Funding helps regional associations organize and promote events such as field days, tours, trials, and demonstrations, while also supporting administrative coordination.
The grant also enables the sharing of results and information through reports, articles, videos, podcasts, webinars, presentations, social media, and regional communications. In addition, it aims to grow membership and foster stronger local connections by providing meaningful activities and outreach opportunities.
A key focus is engaging youth and future agricultural leaders through partnerships with academic crop and environmental clubs, 4-H programs, and Junior Farmer organizations.
Collaborative Activities Grants
Collaborative Activities Grants are available to local and regional Soil and Crop Improvement Associations to support events and activities that focus on providing opportunities to transfer knowledge and share experiences with new technologies, production practices and sustainability.
Grassroots Research Grants
The Grassroots Research Grants support large-scale, three-year projects throughout the province, encouraging innovation and collaboration. The projects span across five major themes: soil health, sustainable crop production, economic and agronomics, emission reduction (greenhouse gases and carbon in cropping systems), or innovative cropping practice.
For further details of these programs either check out ontariosoilcrop.org OR read the guidelines booklet here: Supporting Grassroot Funding Guidelines: Collaborative Activities/Communication Outreach
Special Provisions for Financial Difficulties
Ontario farmers who are experiencing financial difficulty may qualify to access financial advisory services to complete a Farm Financial Analysis.
The Farm Financial Analysis:
- Provides a review of your farm business’ past financial performance
- Provides an analysis of the current business climate
- Develops objectives and identifies options to meet profitability and sustainability goals.
Eligibility:
- Be an established farm business that is actively farming in Ontario.
- Have a valid Premises Identification Number for the farm property where the proposed project will be implemented.
- Be experiencing financial difficulty and be able to provide supporting documentation with your application.
- Have identified a Farm Financial Advisor* to complete the Financial Analysis.
*Please note that Financial Advisors are not employed or approved by OMAFRA or by OSCIA in any way. Financial Advisors work directly with the farm business and do not market any specific programs. A resource for identifying a Farm Financial Advisor may be the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA).
Funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP).
Further details can be found at Special Provisions for Financial Difficulties on the OSCIA website.