The four-year initiative provides $15 million from six different funding streams.

Agriculture along the Thames River watershed between London and Lake St. Clair is one of the most diverse mixes of commodity and horticulture crops in all of Canada. Corn, wheat and soybeans are staples across the region and with them, onions, tomatoes, sugar beets, pumpkins, cucumbers, broccoli, greenhouse vegetables and a full complement of tree fruits. The list doesn’t end there, and there’s a solid representation of dairy, poultry and hog operations within the district, which further augments its economic impact.

As diverse as agri-food production is in the Lower Thames Valley region, producers are constantly challenged to drive production higher, relying on a blend of plant genetics and fertilizers to feed plant roots, stems and leaves. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient in that drive for bigger yields, but it’s also a source of pollution that’s proven harmful to the health of the Great Lakes, particularly Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie.

The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority is trying to change that with the Precision Phosphorus Reduction Program, offering seven different streams to support best management practices (BMPs) for producers. According to the Conservation Authority, the program is worth $13.0 million until 2028, as part of the “Funding for Farmers” initiative. The ultimate goal is to help producers in the Lower Thames Valley (see Map 1) watershed with sustaining and enhancing agricultural land and waterways.

Map 1 -Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority watershed and region

Soil health and sustainability have joined environmental stewardship as important pillars within the agri-food sector. But as vital a nutrient as phosphorus is, its interaction in the soil calls for a delicate balance with various forms and differing pH levels. For instance, with soil pH levels between 6.0 and 7.0, some types of fertilizers can bind different micro-nutrients in the soil, tying up some of the phosphorus and restricting its availability to plants. That may convince producers to increase their application rates to achieve higher yields.

The eligible projects to encourage adoption of best management practices (BMPs) cover a variety of approaches to reduce phosphorus run-off into the Lower Thames Valley Watershed. As with most cost-share and grant initiatives, the hope is to generate interest in integrating these practices and that their efficacy will be enough to continue them.

Table 1 -Precision Phosphorus Reduction Program -Eligible projects, Grant Rate and Maximum Grant

The Conservation Authority also welcomes applications under its Innovative Practices and Projects category. Applicants must submit a brief proposal outlining the project, its costs and how it will improve soil health and water quality within the Lower Thames Valley region. Infrastructure and development costs are eligible.

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Intakes are pending, however there may be a number of ineligible activities or details in the program that require further consideration. If you are interested in learning more about the Precision Phosphorus Reduction Program, the professionals at Elite Agri Solutions have the grant-writing expertise to support you. Call 519 – 953 -4479 or visit our website, at https://eliteagrisolutions.ca/.