Province announces $1 million for ag, horticultural societies

TEESWATER — The Ontario government has announced $1 million in funding to support the province’s agricultural and horticultural societies who continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ontario’s agricultural and horticultural societies have long-enriched communities throughout the province and we look forward to them continuing to make significant contributions, from main street beautification projects to hosting the long-standing tradition of agricultural fairs, throughout the province in 2022,” said Lisa Thompson, minister of agriculture and MPP for Huron-Bruce.

The funds come from the Agricultural and Horticultural Support and Recovery Funding Initiative, and is in addition to the more than $7 million previously announced to assist these organizations during the pandemic.

This initiative features two funding streams:

Base Support Funding will be issued to all eligible agricultural and horticultural societies through funding payments of $1,000 as a means of supporting their continued incorporation and activities.

Hardship Funding for eligible Agricultural Societies will provide additional support which will be based on reported gate revenues from 2019. This will help off-set operating losses, liabilities, and fixed overhead costs related to land and buildings.

Eligible agricultural and horticultural societies can expect to receive the allocated provincial government funding before March 31, 2022.