Greenbelt Green Energy Program for Agriculture

Enhanced cost-share opportunities for farmers in the Greenbelt delivered in collaboration with the Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) and program year two (2010) of the Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program (COFSP).

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation was created in 2005 to champion activities that preserve and enhance the Greenbelt’s agricultural, rural and ecological integrity. Through a collaborative effort involving farm organizations, the Foundation, federal and provincial governments, farmers may be eligible for enhanced cost share through the Greenbelt Green Energy Program for Agriculture (GGEPA) to implement Best Management Practices (BMP) involving energy conservation and green energy generation.

Best Management Practices that may be eligible for funding are:
    Category 22 - Livestock Nutrition Planning to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
    Category 25 - Farm Energy Audits
    Category 26 - Energy Conservation Measures for Agricultural Purposes
    Category 27 - Renewable Energy Production for Agricultural Purposes

Farms located within Ontario’s Greenbelt that satisfy current eligibility requirements for the cost-share program associated with the EFP, have ready access to GGEPA funding. The new program will be delivered alongside program year two (2010) of the Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program (COFSP). Upon verification of the eligibility of the registered farm and the proposed project, the process to acquire the enhanced cost-share is quite simple.

Both EFP and COFSP are funded through Growing Forward, supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), under the Best Practices suite. The programs are administered by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, acting on behalf of the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition. The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) delivers the programs to agricultural producers.

Brochure: Brief description of the voluntary cost share program for farmers and a list of eligible Best Management Practices (BMP) categories and funding caps for each category. Information on program eligibility and the application process is also included. Producers who believe they may have agricultural parcels within the Greenbelt can make an inquiry with their local OSCIA Program Representative.

Nominate a Greenbelt Grower/Producer for the Friend of the Greenbelt Award 2010

 More information on programs in the Greenbelt can be found at the Friends of the Greenbelt web site: http://www.greenbelt.ca