Ontario agricultural and horticultural societies are going to be receiving a boost to assist in their COVID-19 recovery for 2021.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman announced $5 million will be made available to assist societies who have been struggling throughout the pandemic. The announcement was made at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association annual general meeting.
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece welcomed the announcement saying this funding will allow these societies to continue their work supporting rural Ontario. Two funding streams will be made available.
1.8 million will be Base Support Funding, providing eligible agricultural societies with $7000 and eligible horticulture societies with $1140 in funding to support continued delivery of agricultural and horticultural education across Ontario.
3.2 million will be for Hardship Funding. Eligible agricultural societies will provide additional support which will be based on their reported gate receipts from 2019. This will help offset operating losses, liabilities and fixed overhead costs.
Funding is expected to come before March 31st.