Food producers in the northeast are getting a $3.7-million boost to help clear land and install tile drainage in aid of their farming operations.
Funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. (NOHFC) was announced by Premier Kathleen Wynne on Aug. 12, the last day of her week-long trip across Northern Ontario.
The funds will be distributed as follows:
- $1 million to Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance (NOFIA) for about 1,900 acres of land for a consortium of nine farmers in the Timiskaming and Cochrane regions;
- $999,925 to NOFIA for about 1,897 acres of land for a consortium of 12 farmers in the Timiskaming and Cochrane regions;
- $952,200 to West Nipissing East Sudbury Agricultural Support Projects Inc. for about 1,587 acres of land for a consortium of 26 farmers in the Nipissing and Sudbury regions; and
- $793,725 to Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre for about 1,383 acres of land for a consortium of 29 farmers in the Algoma and Sudbury West regions.
Clearing land involves removing trees, stumps, brush, and stones, and liming and levelling the land to prep the property for agricultural use.
Tile drainage helps remove excess water from the soil, which can create more consistent crop yields, while reducing plant stress, soil compaction, and wear and tear on equipment.
