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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-11-25, Page 31Page 7 -- Valleys & People - Fall 1987 Farm Assistance Programs: A Guide OSCEPAP 11 Grants are available to farmers through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food to implement environmental protec- tion and soil conservation. measures. In addition the Ontario Ministry of the Environment will enhance the funding for certain environmental protection projects undertaken in the Maitland Watershed. Environmental Protection The purpose of this program is to store L restock manure and confine contamin- ated runoff for field application and to im- prove disposal of milkhouse waste water to prevent water pollution. Eligible projects include: —manure storage systems, liquid, semi- so:id and solid manure that include some method of controlling liquid runoff —milkhouse waste storage or treatment systems. OMAF - OSCEPAP II — 40 per cent up to $7,500 MOE Enhancement — 40 per cent of pro- ject cost not covered by base grant up to maximum of an additional $5,000. Soil Conservation The purpose of this program is to pro- mote the control of soil erosion, caused by both wind and water. Program objectives are to control soil erosion, maintain crop productivity and protect water resources.. Any project that is installed for the primary purpose of correcting an existing soil erosion problem is eligible for assist- ance. Projects eligible for MOE enhanced grant include: —water diversions around livestock lot areas —fencing livestock from watercourses —alternate livestock watering devices —controlled access —seeding and sodding of buffers be- tween feedlot or barn lot areas and water- courses. OMAF - OSCEPAP II — 66 and two- thirds per cent cost of eligible work up to $10,000. MOE Enhancement — 75 per cent of pro- ject costs not covered by base grant up to maximum of an additional $4,500. For more information contact your local OMAF office or the MVCA. Land Stewardship Program This is a new three year program to en- courage the adoption of conservation farming practices on Ontario farms. These practices will enhance and sustain agri- cultural production and improve and pro- tect our soil and water resources. The purpose of the program is to provide assistance that will encourage farmers to adopt practical, cost-effective conserva- tion farming systems and to encourage the development of a long-term commitment toward a stewardship ethic. The intent of the program is to improve both soil re- sources and water management by reduc- ing soil erosion and soil compaction, re- storing soil organic matter and tilth, and minimizing the potential for environment- al contamination arising from agricultural practices. The program consists of four sections: A) Soil Structure - Improvement and Maintenance B) Erosion Control Structures C) Conservation Equipment D) Conservation Technology A) Soil Structure - Improvement and Maintenance Crop Rotation with Forages To encourage the planting, in rotation, of forage grasses, legumes or other plow - down crops, grants are available to im- prove soil structure and organic matter. Residue and Crop Cover Where at least 20 per cent crop residue and -or crop cover remains on the soil sur- face after planting, an annual grant is available. This grant will apply to no more. than 30 Der cent of the previous years tilled FARM IMPROVEMENTS—Installing a bed level crossing under the OSCEPAP 11 program. average. Trees Grants are available to retire fragile lands, encourage long-term commitment to agri-forestry including intercropping of trees with commercial crops or to di- versify crop production, as well as shelter - belt and windbreak planting. Any benefits derived from reforestation from other sources may be deducted from the grant. Stewardship Lease To encourage landlords to require tenants to farm their land under a stewardship plan. B) Erosion Control Structures Municipal Drains To encourage good maintenance and management of open municipal outlet drains, a grant is available for engineering reports that update existing municipal drains to include environmental enhance- ments (buffer strips, erosion control de- vices, livestock access control, etc.) as well as assessment schedules for routine maintenance work. OSCEPAP Erosion Control Structures To assist with a soil conservation struc- ture (eg. terrace, grassed waterway, gully control, etc.) where the costs of the struc- ture exceeds the cost that generates the maximum grant under OSCEPAP II. C) Conservation E r uipment Residue Management - Equipment Rental Grants are available to encourage the use and adoption of residue management equipment. Residue Management - Equipment Modifi- cation and Purchase Grants are available to assist in the modification of existing equipment so that it performs the tasks necessary for residue management, or to purchase equipment for residue management. D) Conservation Technology Conservation Training Courses Assistance is available to participate in conservation farm training courses ap- proved -by the director of the Soil and Water Management Branch of OMAF. On -Farm Conservation Equipment Assistance is available for an applicant to employ a qualified technician or farmer to instruct on the setup and operation of conservation equipment on the applicant's premises. How To Obtain A Grant You will need a brochure, an application form and a Land Stewardship Inventory and Action Plan from the local OMAF of- fice or OSCIA Committee. Complete the Land Stewardship Inventory and Action Plan. For assistance in the Maitland watershed contact your local OSCIA County Committee representative or the local office of the OMAF. Serving Farmers Agriculture Soil and Water Conservation Program Through the Joint Agricultural Soil and Water Conservation program farmers can receive technical advice and financial as- sistance in solving soil erosion problems. This program is a co-operative effort in- volving Conservation Authorities, the Min- istry of Agriculture and Food , azthe Huron Soil and Water Conservatio Dis- t..ict. Personnel from this program will pro • - vide services to meet every farmer's ero- sion control needs. A farm plan can be done that outlines the options that are suit- able to each individual farmer's conserva- tion needs. Such options as crop rotation, strip cropping, lift -plow waterways, tree windbreaks, or conservation tillage and planting are low cost options. Or he may choose higher investment options such as grassed waterways, berms, terraces or di- versions. Regardless of the method, the farmer ultimately decides which option or combination of options best suit his opera- tion and farming system while keeping his soil loss at a tolerable level. During 1987 staff from the Maitland Val- ley and Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authorities and the Clinton OMAF office assisted many area farmers. About 40 con- servation trials were planted using both the farmer's modified equipment and the district's conservation planter ;p conserva- tion drill, modified anhydrous applicator, modified 28 per cent applicator and a weigh wagod provided through the pro- gram . ro- gram. Tillage. trials are monitored throughout the growing season and yields are obtained at harvest. A number of structures were designed and installed including bed -level cross- ings, grassed waterways, sediment control structures and diversion berms. Several tours were organized for farm - CONSERVATION TILLAGE—Under the Agricultural Soil and Water Conservation Program conservation tillage equipment is available to plant tillage trials on your farm. ers to highlight the work being done. Con- servation Day, an annual event run to pro- mote soil conservation practices, was held on the farm of Jack McGregor, southwest of Clinton. Approximately 150 people at- tended.