Amount:  up to $90,000 per project.

As part of the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Initiative, the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI), provides cost-share funding to support farmers to accelerate the adoption of best management practices (BMPs) supporting soil health, water quality, energy efficiency, and productivity benefits on agricultural land across Ontario.

Projects will focus on:

  • Basic Energy Use Assessment (Level 1)
  • Detailed Energy Audit (Level 2)
  • Energy Efficiency Improvements
  • Larger-Scale Energy Efficiency Improvements

Eligibility requirements

Eligible are farm businesses that file farm business taxes in Ontario as demonstrated by:

  • A valid farm business registration number (FBRN).
    OR
  • A Religious Exemption Letter provided by the OMAFRA Appeal Tribunal (provide with application submission).
    OR
    A Cultural Exemption Letter provided by the First Nations Agriculture & Finance Ontario (FNAFO), formerly known as the Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario to First Nations farmers, verifying the farm business operates in a First Nations community (provide with application submission).
    OR
  • An income exemption from the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Program (i.e., Start-up farm businesses, Business structure change, Not a normal production year, Age/Illness/Death of a spouse) (provide with application submission).

Applicants must:

    • Have a verified, 4th or 5th Edition Environmental Farm Plan; and,
    • Be in compliance with all requirements of the law and must remain in compliance for the duration of the project.

Funding

  • Basic Energy Use Assessment (Level 1): 75% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $10,000 per project application
  • Detailed Energy Audit (Level 2): 50% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $20,000 per project application
  • Energy Efficiency Improvements: 35% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $35,000 per project application
  • Larger-Scale Energy Efficiency Improvements: 35% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $90,000 per project application

Deadline

The intake closes on September 3, 2025 3 pm ET.