On July 8, 2025, the governments of Canada and Ontario announced a joint investment of up to $3 million to support farmers in implementing energy efficiency projects aimed at improving competitiveness, particularly in response to U.S. tariffs. This funding marks the launch of the third intake of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI), a program designed to strengthen the province’s agricultural sector by enhancing operational sustainability.
The investment will support agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based product businesses throughout Ontario by helping them reduce energy consumption and operational costs. Farmers can receive between $10,000 and $90,000 for eligible energy efficiency improvements, including replacing outdated on-farm technologies and installing high-efficiency systems such as geothermal heating, advanced motors, ventilation, heating, cooling, refrigeration, grain drying, and lighting equipment. This third intake builds on the previous funding of up to $12.5 million, which supported over 870 projects since 2023.
The ASI is part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year (2023–2028), $3.5-billion federal, provincial, and territorial initiative aimed at increasing the competitiveness, innovation, and resilience of Canada’s agricultural sector. The Partnership includes $1 billion in federally delivered programs and $2.5 billion in cost-shared initiatives, funded 60% by the federal government and 40% by provincial and territorial governments.
The Agricultural Stewardship Initiative is being administered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA). Ontario farmers interested in the program can submit one application during the third intake period, which runs from August 13 to September 3, 2025.
