The Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley Conservation Authorities are now accepting applications for funding to support cover crops for this year.
The program was introduced by the Huron County Clean Water Project in 2015 and has grown significantly since then.
ABCA Manager Kate Monk explains cover crops can repair damage to the soil as well as prevent erosion and one of the advantages of a cover crop is that a farmer can mix the species of cover crop to address the specific problems in a field.
Monk says in order for farmers to quality for a grant of $10 an acre, up to a maximum of $1,000. They must have at least three different species in their mix and a minimum of 50% residue the following spring.
Anyone wishing to apply for the grants for cover crops can call either the Ausable Bayfield or Maitland Valley Conservation Authorities.
The county-funded program provided support for 71 completed cover crop planting projects for a total of 4,637 acres in the first year of the cover crop category. The next year was even better.
Huron County's farmers completed 81 cover crop planting projects in 2016 and planted more than 6,000 acres with grant support from the program. There has been more than $100,000 provided for cover crop incentives over the category’s first two years in Huron County.
The Huron County Clean Water Program is also now offering grants for a wide range of other erosion control projects that are delivered through the local conservation authorities.
