The Ontario Forage Council (OFC) is pleased to be delivering the Community Pastures Initiative as part of the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).
Through this $5 million investment from the governments of Canada and Ontario, this initiative will help to rejuvenate the community pastures, making them more productive and resilient.
Goals of this initiative
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sequestering more carbon, and increasing other ecological goods and services through enhanced pasture management practices and the creation or enhancement of natural features are the focus of this initiative.
Other goals include:
- Using the community pastures as knowledge hubs
- Increase opportunities for new and young producers, and other producers facing barriers
- Enhance productivity of the pastures
- Increase long-term viability of the pastures
- Increased resilience to climate change
How it works
The individual community pastures, the Association of Community Pastures (ACP), and OFC will work collaboratively to assess the current state of the pastures and identify where there are opportunities to implement Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) that are eligible under this initiative. Technical experts, including OFC grazing mentors and OMAFA staff, are part of this process.
Some of the activities covered include:
- Establishing or improving rotational grazing systems
- Enhancing riparian areas and pollinator habitats
- Wetland restoration or creation
- Water retention ponds
- Improving pastures with resilient perennial forage species
- Converting marginal or high-risk land to permanent grassland
A Pasture Management Plan is created and reviewed, then a Project Plan is developed, and finally, implementation of the works will occur.
Throughout the initiative there will be opportunities for the community to learn more about these pastures and attend events. Keep an eye on our events page or subscribe to our newsletter to find out about these opportunities.
Project updates
Keep an eye on this space for updates.
About the Community Pastures
There are currently eleven community pastures in Ontario:
- Rainy River
- Thunder Bay
- Algoma
- Temiskaming
- Ice Lake
- Manitoulin
- Bruce County
- Grey-Dufferin
- Victoria
- Quinte
- Leeds
Each pasture is run by a Board and is a member of ACP. If you are looking to connect with a specific pasture, please email admin@ontarioforagecouncil.com and we will put you in touch.