The Rural Voice, 2002-01, Page 48GREY
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
Email: grey@ofa.on.ca Website: www.ofa.on.ca/grey 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
• The Rural Voice is provided to all Grey
County Farmers by the GCFA.
Wetland conservation program provides financial support
Private landowners \A ho have
wetlands on their property and want
to conserve or enhance the wetland
for wildlife habitat may be eligible
for funding assistance and technical
advice through the Wetland Habitat
Fund (WHF).
Wetlands are the most diverse and
productive habitats. Hundreds of
plant and animal species depend on
them. Often forgotten is the role that
wetlands provide for people by
helping to reduce flooding and
keeping streams and rivers flowing
during the summer. They help to
replenish groundwater and they filter
sediment, chemicals, and nutrients to
improve water quality. Wetlands also
offer numerous recreational
opportunities.
The program is specifically
designed to assist landowners with
wetland conservation and wildlife
habitat improvement projects. The
vital role of wetlands in the natural
environment is affected by the
activities of private landowners. The
Wetland Habitat Fund can help
people improve the overall health of
the wetland, improving water quality
and wildlife habitat.
Eligible habitat projects may
receive funds for up to 50 per cent of
the total project cost, to a maximum
of $5,000. A direct benefit to the
36th Annual
Grey Bruce Farmers'
Week & Trade Show
January 3 - 12, 2002
Elmwood Community Centre
Thursday, January 3 - Dairy Day and
Swine Evening
Friday, January 4 - Crops Day and
Horse Evening
Saturday, January 5 - Sheep Day
Monday, January 7 - Beef Day
Saturday, January 12 - Goat Day - Grey
County Agricultural Services Centre,
Markdale
For more information contact:
Grey County Agricultural Services
Centre at 519-986-3756
44 THE RURAL VOICE
wetland or lvetland wildlife must he Bruce, Simcoe
achieved to be eligible for funding. Perth and
The type of activities that the WHF
sponsors include livestock fencing
and alternative water supplies.
vegetative buffers, upland nesting
cover, nesting structures. and low
level water control structures. WHF
works directly with the landowner to
help put together a project that meets
the needs of the wetland and suits the
landowners' needs. The project is
detailed in a Wetland Conservation
Plan developed by the landowner.
Response to the program has been
very favourable. The Wetland Habitat
Fund program has sponsored over
350 projects across southern Ontario,
providing an average of $2,800 for
each project.
The next deadline for project
applications is February 28, 2002.
Interested landowners within Grey,
and
Dufterin
Hemessen at
5
can
19-5
north
call
9
Huron,
Doug
9-9989,
van
for
program details. Other Program
Representatives are located across
Southern Ontario. Information can be
found on the program website
www.wetlandfund.com
The Wetland Habitat Fund is a
component of the North American
Waterfowl Management Plan. The
Fund is administered in Ontario by
the Ministry of Natural Resources
and Wildlife Habitat Canada.°
GREY COUNTY FEDERATION OF
AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
Thursday, January 24, 2002
8:00 p.m.
Grey County Agricultural Services Centre
meeting room (Grey Gables)
206 Toronto Street South, Markdale
Members are welcome to attend
IMPORTANT!
Farmland Property Taxes
Is your farm in the correct tax class?
✓ There are two (2) programs you must apply to:
1. Farm Business Registration registers your farm business each year.
2. Farmland Property Class Tax Rate puts your farm property in the Farmland Tax Class (25%)
Note: If you filed a multi-year Farm Land Property Class Tax Rate application in 2000 or 2001,
then you only need to notify OMAFRA if any changes have occurred in your situation.
/ You can check this by looking at your most recent Property Assessment Notice:
• "Res/Farm Taxable: Full" If your notice says only this, it means you will pay 100% of the
residential tax rate on your farmland.
• "Farmlands Taxable: Full" If your notice says this, it means you will pay 25% of the
residential tax rate on your farmland.
• For a farm with a house on it, both of the above classes should be on the assessment
notice.
✓ If there is a problem, TO CORRECT IT:
• ACT NOW! You only have until March 31, 2002
• Call OMAFRA 1-800-469-2285 or the Ontario Assessment Review Board at 1-800-263-3237
✓ Purchasing a farm?
• Check with OMAFRA, before you buy, to be sure the property is in the correct class: 1-800-
469-2285.
✓ Renting farmland?
• The owner of the land must get the Farm Business Registration number and signature of the
tenant, on the Farmland Property tax application.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ YOUR "PROPERTY ASSESSMENT NOTICE" CAREFULLY WHEN
YOU RECEIVE IT TO ENSURE YOU WILL NOT BE PAYING 100% TAX RATE ON YOUR
FARMLAND IN 2002.