Some environmental programs are full for this fiscal year

By Gary Sliworsky
OMAFRA Rep.

Due to the strong commitment of Ontario farmers to participate in the new Growing Forward Environment and Climate Change cost-share program, the Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program (COFSP), all cost-share funds for program year one (2009) are fully committed. The provincial delivery agent for COFSP, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, will no longer be allocating program year one Growing Forward funding to proposed projects, and OSCIA Program Representatives will not accept any more 2009 Project Proposal Applications (PPA) seeking COFSP cost-share.

The PPA received to date are currently being reviewed and notification of the status of each application will be forwarded to the participating farm businesses. Cost-share funds are allocated for each year of the program on a first come, first served basis, up to the available annual funds for each year of the program. Once the annual program funds are fully committed, PPA can no longer be accepted for cost-share funding.

It is expected that cost-share funds for 2009 program year associated with the Species At Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP) will continue to be available through OSCIA for a short time. The Ministry of Natural Resources released the SARFIP year two cost-share program on August 5, 2009. Cost-share funding from SARFIP will be awarded to eligible projects, but once the COFSP funds for 2009 are exhausted no Growing Forward COFSP cost share will be allocated now or in the future towards these projects.

At this time, SARFIP funding is only available in Year One (2009-2010), as no funding commitments have been made beyond the current block of funding announced on August 5. The project claim submission deadline date remains at January 15, 2010.

The next round of cost-share funding for the COFSP and LSFSP will be available in Growing Forward program year two (2010). New PPA forms for COFSP for 2010 will be available from OSCIA Program Representatives beginning September 15, 2009. Please note the eligible invoice date for program year two projects under COFSP is September 15, 2009 and beyond. Costs invested and invoices dated prior to this date will not be eligible for cost-share in program year two.

Applicants are encouraged to review the COFSP Project Eligibility Policy and Procedures document and program brochures before submitting their completed PPA form to the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association for projects proposed for 2010.

Environmental Farm Plan courses will continue to be offered.