Ontario agriculture and horticulture societies will be receiving 1.1 million in provincial funding to help offset declines due to canceled fairs and events.
Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs says agriculture and horticultural societies play a huge role in communities across the province and the impact of the pandemic has been tough on local community events typically hosted regularly by the groups.
Thompson adding specifically in the summer and fall by agriculture and horticulture societies are among the primary revenue generators.
Funding will be provided up to $5000 for eligible agricultural societies and up to $1500 for horticultural equal to their 2019 grants to help cover costs lost from membership losses, revenue and meet financial needs.
While normally to be eligible for the grant program, the societies must operate their regular fair events and activities this will be replaced for the 2021 grant as a one time automatic payment even if fairs were canceled.
Ontario Horticultural Association President, Katharine Smyth says the provinces support will help the 270 societies cover some of the costs lost from the pandemic and help get operations going again.