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The Rural Voice, 1992-04, Page 54ADVICE CALENDAR WATER MATTERS: GETTING IN WHEN THE GETTING'S GOOD - PART I As wintcr draws to a close and we get our first taste of spring, many of us give thought to potential projects around the home and on the farm. Recently, a ncighbour told me of his ambitions for the new season — fcncing out livestock from thc creek that runs through his property, planting trees and looking at strip - cropping to aid in erosion control. Of course, thc list was much longer than that and hc is awarc that there arc some govern- ment grant programs that exist for diffcrcnt pro- jects but hc was confused on what was actually available. I'm sure he's not the only one. So, this "Water Matters" article and next month's is dedi- cated to enlightenment and "getting in when the getting is good!" The following is a list of programs that either directly or indirectly help to protect or improve water resources: 1. Land Stewardship II (LS II) Program The Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) offers this incentive program to Ontario farmers for planned conservation systems and environmental protection measures through soil and water conservation. Thc maximum grant is $10,000 minus half of the grants already received under the original Land Stewardship program or OSCEPAP II. This program is effective until Mary 31, 1994 and eligible projects arc: A. Soil Conservation Systems — residue management — cover crops — strip cropping — conservation equipment — soil conservation structures B. Environmental Protection ... there — manure storage and handling systems — milkhousc/milking parlour washwater disposal systems — pesticide handling facilities Call your local OMAF office for information on this program. 2. Thc Clean Up Rural Beaches (CURB) Program The Ministry of the Environment offers the program but it is delivered by participating Conser- vation Authorities. It is aimed at cleaning up rural beaches in Ontario through a variety of improvements. It is important to note that financial assistance is limited to those applicants who are presently impacting water quality in targeted areas of the watershed. This five year program has grants available for these items: Eligible items/Grant rate/Grant ceiling — fencing watercourses from livestock/alternate water, 75 per cent, $10,000 — manure management (ie. storages), 50 per cent, $12,000 — milkhouse washwater disposal systems, 50 per cent, $5,000 — private sewage systems, 50 per cent, $2,000 If you have exhausted your LS II and/or NSCP eligibility, you may still be eligible under the CURB Program. For information on this program contact the Conservation Authority in your area. May's issue will continue with available government grants that indirectly or directly benefit water resources.0 This is another in a series of articles by Janette Smiderle of the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority, highlighting information on water quality in the rural environment. are some government grants that exist for different projects . 50 THE RURAL VOICE t»1..4, 1 Pr -T.1 at ,, a, a b APRIL 2 — Rotary Club Rural Urban Night, 6:30 p.m., Stratford Knights of Columbus Community Centre. Speaker Dr. Freeman McEwan, president, Agricultural Institute of Canada. $15 per person, $25 per couple. 2 — 1992 North Bruce Seed Fair, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Ferndale Community Centre. 2 — Huron County Pork Producers Directors' meeting, 8:00 p.m., Clinton OMAF boardroom. 2, 3 — Introduction to Ecological Farming, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day, Crystal Palace, Mitchell. Cost $15 per day, lunch provided. Call 519-357- 1796 to register. 4 — Beef Heifer Clinic, 9:30 a.m., Mount Forest Bull Test Centre — Wat- Cha Farms, Mount Forest. 4 — 4-H Leaders' Workshop, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., OMAF boardroom, Markdale. Call OMAF office to register. 4 — Ontario Hereford Prestige Sale, Markham Fairgrounds. 6 — Huron -Bruce -Grey 4-H Show & Sale meeting, 8:00 p.m., OMAF boardroom, Walkerton. 7 — Bruce Soil & Crop Spring Bus Tour, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., $20 per person. Call 416-881-3301 to register. 7 — 4-11 Leaders' Association meeting, 8:00 p.m., OMAF boardroom, Walkerton. 8 — 4-H Regional Directors' meeting, 1:00 p.m., OMAF boardroom, Walkerton.