Provincial Government Steps Up To Help Agriculture Societies

Monday, 24 August 2020 05:15

Photo credit: Twitter.com/Ernie Hardeman.

Agricultural & Horticultural Societies in the province who may have lost money because of COVID-19 will be eligible to apply for funding.

LINDSAY — The Province is expanding eligibility for agriculture societies to apply for funding to help offset the financial losses due to the cancellation of fall fairs, exhibitions and activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly $1 million will be made available to all qualifying agricultural and horticultural societies for this year only to help ensure operations.

In previous years, organizations could only qualify for provincial funding if they operated fall fairs.

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ernie Hardeman says the funding will help agricultural and horticultural organizations.

"Our agricultural and horticultural organizations are part of the backbone of rural Ontario. We know that the decision to cancel their fairs and events was a difficult but important one in order to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. We are providing this funding to help continue operations and relieve some of the burden they are experiencing during this difficult time."

MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Laurie Scott says the money will go to help support this sector.

"Our horticultural and agricultural societies have educated and entertained us on the importance of agriculture for more than a century. This funding will help support this important sector of Ontario's economy as the province recovers from the impacts of COVID-19."

The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OASS) reported more than 175 fall fairs and events have been cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

OAAS Manager Vince Brennan says they're grateful to receive help from the Province.

"The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) is grateful for the Ontario government's support. This investment shows the confidence and appreciation that the Ontario government has for our over 200 Ontario Agricultural Societies, their members and volunteers and the significant contribution they make to their communities and rural life in Ontario."

Vice President of the Ontario Horticultural Association Charles Freeman praised the Province for their continued support for all societies and clubs affiliated with the OHA.

"Thanks to the Ontario government for all of the support and assistance they have shown to all of the Societies/Clubs affiliated with the Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA). Ontario's continuing support of the 27,000 plus membership across the province is appreciated by everyone involved with the OHA."

Some funding to individual agricultural societies is provided by the Province through grant payments enabled through the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act.

Under the Act, Regulation 16 sets out that in the year an agricultural society is paid a grant they must hold an agricultural exhibition, such as a fall fair. The restrictions due to COVID-19 have prevented the events that would help meet this criteria in 2020, and without this support some societies would be at risk of closing their organizations.