Brant and Haldimand Counties continue to support stewardship on farms

Haldimand County and the County of Brant have renewed support for their respective Rural Water Quality Programs (RWQP) for five more years. Each program offers grants of between 50 to 100 per cent to landowners for projects that improve and protect water quality.

The programs, which are administered by the Grand River Conservation Authority, Long Point Region Conservation Authority and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, have funded more than 1,000 projects since they began. The total value of these cost share projects is $4.7-million. In 2024, Haldimand County committed $25,000 and Brant County committed $50,000.

Each municipality has its own unique program based on local goals and priorities, but the programs share similarities for some project categories. Funding is available through both programs for projects such as tree planting, livestock fencing, cover crops and well decommissioning.

The Haldimand program offers funding for soil testing, to promote the application of crop nutrients at the best rate, time and place, while the Brant program launched a new forest management and enhancement category to promote good forestry practices for woodlands that are at least one hectare in size. 

Both programs recently introduced funding for crop nutrient plans, which encourages producers to work with a certified crop advisor to get the most effective use of nutrient resources.

Haldimand County resident Ruby Osborne was able to plant 4,300 trees on her farm located next to Boston Creek this spring with assistance through the RWQP. “I support initiatives for wildlife, and now I get to support them on my own piece of property” explains Osborne. “I feel like it leaves a legacy for the future.”

For more information on the RWQPs and the projects that are eligible for grants in Brant County and Haldimand County, contact ruralwater@grandriver.ca or call 519-621-2763 x 2278 or visit www.grandriver.ca/ruralwater. 

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Media contacts:

James Clark, Senior Communications and Marketing Advisor, GRCA
Phone 519-621-2763 x2240  |  Email jclark@grandriver.ca

Lisa Stocco, GRCA Manager, Strategic Communications and Environmental Education
Phone 519-621-2763 x2316  |  Email lstocco@grandriver.ca