Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Farmers depend on a healthy, clean environment to produce quality food, so they make every effort to keep their soil and land in top shape.

Ontario’s farmers don’t just guess what might be best for the environment. They are committed to using the best practices they possibly can, which is why they develop Environmental Farm Plans (EFP). These voluntary assessments address a variety of on-farm areas where farmers can reduce the impact they have on the environment.

Environmental Farm Plans cover things like manure storage and handling, runoff control, integrated pest management and nutrient management. These plans, combined with other government- and producer-led initiatives, have proven to be positive for the environment.

In 1983, Ontario’s farmers and the provincial government decided to aim to cut pesticide use in half over 20 years. By 2003, not only had that goal been achieved, but it was exceeded – 52% to be exact. It doesn’t stop there: farmers continue to decrease their pesticide use by about 3% every year.

This may be because producers are learning efficient and effective pesticide use in pesticide safety training classes.

Better soil conservation measures, such as crop rotation and reducing tillage on farm fields have also led to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on farms. So far, these changes have had the same impact as taking 125,000 cars off the road.

For More Information, Visit www.growourfarms.ca

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Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

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ODA accepting 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer nominations

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is joining partners at all levels in celebrating the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, according to a recent news release.. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2024, the IYWF highlights a global commitment to empowering and recognizing women in agriculture. “Help us celebrate Oregon women in agriculture,” said ODA Director Lisa Charpilloz Hanson in the release. “Share stories about their inspiration, the challenges they face, and the benefits of supporting female farmers and their contributions to our resilient agriculture and food systems. Send us your stories, and we will help raise awareness of the achievements of women in Oregon agriculture.” ODA invites industry partners and the public to submit stories and photos. The agency plans to feature these women across its communication platforms throughout the year. To participate, complete the online form at oda.direct/IYWF. Submissions will be shared on ODA’s Facebook

Advancing small business in rural Eastern Ontario

Eastern Ontario is fortunate to have not-for-profit organizations that are dedicated to helping small, rural businesses grow through financial support, guidance and strategic planning. Assistance can be found through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) for funding support for job creation and investment, as well as through the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to support skilled trades advancement, training, apprenticeships and provincial employment services. In addition, the Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is part of a national group of 60 Ontario and 267 Canadian CFDCs, supported by both the provincial and federal governments, to build strong, rural communities. This organization offers counsel for community-based projects, business services and access to business loans up to $150,000. Under the umbrella of the CFDC is the Community Futures Eastern Ontario (CFEO), a regional association with professional members focus

Farmers provide ‘on the job training’ for Ontario agriculture minister

Trevor Jones is coming up on his first year as Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and says the job has been a humbling learning experience. Since taking on the portfolio in March, Jones said he’s visited people on farms in communities across Ontario, at dinner tables, in stables and barns. Beginning his career with the Ontario Provincial Police, Jones later took on an executive role in the fresh food industry. Although he didn’t grow up on a farm, Jones said farmers have “welcomed me with open arms.” One thing he has learned from meeting farmers across Ontario is to ask questions. “If you don’t know, they know,” Jones said. “You can’t fake it.” When you ask questions, he said, “A farmer’s eyes will light up and tell you their story about challenges, opportunities, ideas and they’ll train you on the job. “So right now, it’s on the job training. Our farming families across the Ontario are training me to be a good minister.”

Funds meant as hand-up to farming, agriculture

Ontario farmers and agriculture-based businesses looking to bite into a chunk of $20 million in provincial and federal funds can start submitting applications at the end of next month. The funds, for enhancing or expanding existing operations, intend to give qualified recipients a hand-up "in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty," a provincial news release said on Tuesday. Applications to the Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative can be made between Feb. 17 and March 17. "This investment will help our local farmers and agribusinesses sell more (Ontario-grown) products to markets around the world," Ontario Agriculture minister Trevor Jones said in the news release. Jones, a former police officer, grew up in Leamington, a southwestern Ontario farming hub. Program applicants must have less than 500 employees, a backgrounder says. Information about how to apply is available online at ontario.ca. Also this week, an Ottawa-based association of Canadian agricult

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