Canada and Ontario Earmark Up to $3 Million to Improve Energy Efficiency in Province’s Agri-Food Industry

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $3 million and launching the third intake of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI) to help farmers implement projects to improve the energy efficiency of their farming operations.  

Announced Tuesday, the funding will help local agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products businesses across the province “enhance their competitiveness, put more money back into their pockets, and keep workers on the job,” said a provincial release. 

As part of the initiative – which is being funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership - successful applicants can receive between $10,000 to $90,000 for energy efficiency improvements, including the replacement of inefficient on-farm technologies, installing geothermal heating and adopting high efficiency motor, ventilation, heating, cooling, refrigeration, grain drying and lighting systems.  

This third intake of the ASI builds on the up to $12.5 million already invested to support more than 870 projects since 2023. 

“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 being delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA). Information on how to apply for funding and project eligibility under the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative can be found on the OSCIA website. Eligible Ontario farmers can submit one application under this third intake, from August 13 to September 3, 2025.