October 7, 2020 – The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is pleased to announce that new funding is available to encourage farmers to use cover crops.
The funding is available through the Clean Water Program for farms throughout the Upper Thames River watershed. The Clean Water Program has been providing technical assistance and financial incentives to improve and protect rural water quality since 2001.
“Soil erosion and nutrient runoff from farmland can negatively impact water quality in our watershed,” said Craig Merkley, UTRCA Conservation Services Specialist. “We have found that cover crops improve soil health, increase water retention and infiltration, and reduce nutrient losses and sedimentation of watercourses. Ultimately, we hope to reduce phosphorus in the Thames River and Lake Erie.”
Funding for this initiative was made available from Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Great Lakes Protection Initiative to kick-start the new program for two years.
Please visit www.cleanwaterprogram.ca for eligibility details and application form. We are currently accepting applications for payment in spring 2021. Priority will be given to farmers who have not previously used cover crops or where cover crops are not a routine practice.
If you have questions regarding eligibility or would like to discuss cover crop options for your farm, please contact one of our Agricultural Soil & Water Quality Technicians, Michael Funk or Tatianna Lozier.
This video shows how cover crops benefit farmland and the surrounding watercourses.
Photos of fall cover crops and cover crops beside Wildwood CA
This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change.
Ce projet a ete realise avec l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada agissant par l’entremise du ministere federal de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique.
Contacts: Craig Merkley, Conservation Services Specialist, or Brad Glasman, Conservation Services Manager