Farmers in Grand Valley, Ontario can apply for grants to help cover the cost of on-farm projects that protect soil health and local water through the Grand River Conservation Authority’s Rural Water Quality Program (RWQP). The program, administered by the GRCA and funded by Dufferin County, shares the cost of Best Management Practices such as cover cropping, stream-exclusion fencing, erosion-control structures and well upgrades or decommissioning.
Grant support commonly covers 50% to 100% of project costs, depending on the practice and municipality. The GRCA has set a per-acre incentive of $60 for cover crops; GRCA communications note an increased maximum per farm business, but GRCA online materials currently show different maximums for Dufferin—please confirm the current farm maximum with a GRCA Conservation Specialist before applying.
Dufferin County provides the municipal funding for these grants; the county announced a five-year renewal of its commitment in 2024. The RWQP’s objectives include reducing phosphorus and sediment runoff from agricultural land and protecting downstream water quality, including lowering the risk of harmful algal blooms.
To be eligible, landowners must have a completed Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) and must contact a GRCA Conservation Specialist early in the planning process. Do not begin work until your project has been approved by the local review committee; GRCA staff will inspect completed work before payment is issued. Residents should check the GRCA watershed map to confirm that their property falls within the Grand River watershed area served by the GRCA.
The Town of Grand Valley notes that grants administered by the GRCA and funded by Dufferin County can also be used to help pay for well upgrades or decommissioning. For specific rates, eligibility details and application procedures, contact the GRCA Rural Water Quality Program or consult the GRCA Dufferin eligibility page.
