Peel Rural Water Quality Program
It pays to protect water quality when you apply to the Peel Rural Water Quality Program.
In 2005, Credit Valley Conservation and Toronto and Region Conservation collaborated with Peel Federation of Agriculture, Peel Soil and Crop Improvement Association and Region of Peel to create the Peel Rural Water Quality Program.
The Peel Rural Water Quality Program is a voluntary program offering financial and technical assistance to private rural landowners throughout the Region of Peel. This program assists participants with the implementation of agricultural beneficial management practice projects, which protect and improve water quality.
“Our family is proud of our contribution to protecting water quality. Every year, we’ll be able to watch the trees and shrubs we helped plant mature, enjoy the increased wildlife on our farm and appreciate the beauty of our naturalization project.”
Sharon Rowe
Shallow Brook Farms
| Category | Grant Rate | Grant Cap |
| Barnyard Runoff Control & Clean Water Diversion | 50% | $10,000 |
| Cover Crops | $100/acre up to 50 acres1 | |
| Education & Training | 100%2 | $1,000 |
| Erosion Control Structures | 70% | $10,000 |
| Fuel & Chemical Storage | 50% | $3,000 |
| Integrated Pest Management | 50% | $5,000 |
| Irrigation Management | 50% | $10,000 |
| Livestock Fencing from Environmentally Sensitive Features | 80%3 | $20,000 |
| Manure Storage & Handling Systems and Composting Facilities | 50%4 | $25,0004 |
| Milkhouse Washwater Disposal | 50% | $10,000 |
| Natural Area Enhancement & Creation | 100% | $20,000 |
| Nutrient Management Plan | 70%5 | $3,0005 |
| Nutrient Management Strategy | 70%6 | $2,0006 |
| Private Well Abandonment | Offered through the Region of Peel | |
| Private Well Upgrade | 50% | $3,000 |
| Silage Storage Enhancement & Relocation | 50% | $15,000 |
| Tree Planting | 100% | $10,000 |
1 Limited to a maximum of 50 ac/farm business over the life of the program
2 Limited to once per year
3 100% grant rate will apply on materials only if installed by landowner
4 For first application – 50% up to $25,000. For second and subsequent applications on the same property – 35% up to $15,000
5 For first application – 70% up to $3,000. For second and subsequent applications – 35% up to $1,500 and only available to farms that are 1) not currently phased into nutrient management legislation or 2) required to update an existing strategy and/or plan as a result of a voluntary best management practice project.
6 For first application – 70% up to $2,000. For second and subsequent applications – 35% up to $1,000 and only available to farms that are 1) not currently phased into nutrient management legislation or 2) required to update an existing strategy and/or plan as a result of a voluntary best management practice project.
The list of eligible projects is not exclusive. If you have a project that is not on this list, you may still be eligible for financial and technical assistance.
In many circumstances Peel Rural Water Quality Program funding can be combined with additional funding sources to provide up to 80% of the total project cost.
“By having a nutrient management plan prepared for my operation I am able to enact due diligence for the responsible management of the nutrients incorporated on my farm.”
Don Carruthers
Stone Ridge Farm
How to Apply to the Program and Receive Funding
- Attend an Environmental Farm Plan workshop and complete a plan for your farm operation.
- Submit your Environmental Farm Plan for confidential review to the local Peer Review Committee.
- Contact Peel Rural Water Quality Program staff to verify that your proposed project meets the guidelines and to arrange a site visit. Staff is available to assist you with planning your project and applying to the program.
- Applications are anonymously reviewed by the Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group, a peer review group of local representatives with an interest in agriculture in the Region of Peel.
- Complete your project as approved.
- Book a final site visit with program staff.
- Receive your grant.
“The application process was surprisingly user-friendly and expedient. We received great support from program staff who made the entire process hassle-free.”
Randal Ugolini
Highpoint Farms
For more information and to arrange a site visit, please contact:
Mark Eastman, Senior Coordinator, Agricultural Outreach
mark.eastman@cvc.ca
Office: (905) 670-1615 extension 720
Cell: (416) 294-7335
Toll Free: 1 (800) 668-5557
|
Eligible Project |
Grant Rate |
Grant Ceiling |
|
Barnyard Runoff Control & Clean Water Diversion |
50% |
$5,000 |
|
Buffer Strip Planting |
75%-100%* |
$5,000 |
|
Chemical Storage |
50% |
$2,000 |
|
Deadstock Composting |
50% |
$3,000 |
|
Education & Training |
100%** |
$500 |
|
Erosion Control Structures |
50% |
$5,000 |
|
Fuel Storage (per tank) |
50% |
$2,000 |
|
Integrated Pest Management |
50% |
$3,000 |
|
Livestock Access Restriction |
75%-100%*** |
$10,000 |
|
Manure Storage & Handling Systems |
50% |
$15,000 |
|
Milkhouse Washwater Disposal |
50% |
$5,000 |
|
Nutrient Management Plan |
50%**** |
$1,000 |
|
Nutrient Management Strategy |
50%**** |
$500 |
|
Private Well Upgrade |
50% |
$1,000 |
|
Tree Planting |
50% |
$5,000 |
|
Well Abandonment |
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