Farm Credit Canada is giving $1.5-million to 86 projects in smaller communities across Canada, including three in Essex County.
The funding is through FCC's AgriSpirit Fund.
The Caldwell First Nation will receive $25,000 to create a year-round food production greenhouse. A total of $17,500 will go to the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation so it can install heating and cooling systems in its learning centre in Kingsville, and the Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association can resurface the floor of its arena with a cheque for $17,000.
"It's amazing to realize the range of projects and organizations the FCC AgriSpirit Fund has been able to support over the last 20 years," said FCC senior vice-president of Ontario operations Perry Wilson.
Each project in communities with populations of less than 150,000 and Indigenous communities received grants between $5,000 and $25,000.
Applications open again for funding next year in the spring.
The fund has supported 1,615 projects worth $21-million over the past two decades.
