Ontario farmers get boost for energy upgrades

Ontario farmers to get energy upgrade aid

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $3 million in the third round of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI). This funding will help farmers improve the energy efficiency of their operations and support the long-term sustainability of the agriculture sector. 

These upgrades include replacing outdated equipment, installing geothermal heating, and adopting high-efficiency systems for lighting, refrigeration, grain drying, cooling, heating, and ventilation. The aim is to reduce electrical and fossil fuel use and lower production costs. 

To date, more than 870 projects have already benefited from previous ASI intakes, with a total investment of $12.5 million. This third intake will bring total program support up to $15.5 million. 

“Farmers are true stewards of the land,” said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “With this latest round of funding, farmers across Ontario will be able to invest in greener, more efficient equipment, keeping their farms strong and sustainable for the future.” 

“The Agricultural Stewardship Initiative is helping our farmers make their businesses more efficient and boosting the long-term competitiveness of the sector to withstand the current economic uncertainty and whatever else comes our way,” said Trevor Jones, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “With this third round of funding, up to $15.5 million of total investments will help hundreds of farming businesses across Ontario continue to grow and thrive.” 

The ASI is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3.5-billion federal-provincial-territorial investment focused on innovation and competitiveness in agriculture. Farmers in Ontario can apply to receive between $10,000 and $90,000 to support energy-saving projects. 

Ontario farmers can submit one application during the intake window from August 13 to September 3, 2025. Full details are available on the OSCIA website. 

Photo Credit: Farms_Solar