ONTARIO—The Ontario government is providing $1 million to support the province’s agricultural and horticultural societies who continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This will help them continue to operate and support their important efforts to educate people about the value and significance of agriculture in the province.
“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, food and rural affairs (OMAFRA). “These investments reflect the value of the societies contributions and our government’s recognition of the pandemic-caused pressures these organizations have been weathering.”
The funding with flow through the agricultural and horticultural support and recovery funding initiative and builds on previous investments of more than $7 million 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 for 2019. This will help offset operating losses, liabilities, and fixed overhead costs related to land and buildings.
Eligible agricultural and horticultural societies can expect to receive funding before March 31, 2022.
“The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) appreciates OMAFRA’s continued financial support for our over 200 agricultural societies. This new funding shows Minister Thompson’s and OMAFRA’s confidence in our agricultural societies and the impact the societies and their members have on their local communities. During the pandemic, our agricultural societies have continued to creatively promote agriculture and food awareness and engage their communities through in-person and virtual fairs, events, and activities,” said Vince Brennan, OAAS manager.
Charles Freeman, president of the Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA) said members, “express their gratitude to
Minister Thompson and the Ontario government for their continued support during these challenging times. This funding will assist the societies and clubs in their ongoing endeavours to serve and beautify their communities.”
