Experimental Acres open for applications

Dufferin County invites farmers to apply to the 2024 Experimental Acres Program by Friday, Feb. 23.

Experimental Acres provides Dufferin farmers with educational and financial support to de-risk new practices that improve yield, soil health, carbon sequestration and overall sustainability. The program is intended to champion farmer-led discovery, with small-scale experimentation that can link to larger funding opportunities. Farmer-created projects will be supported through three Experimental Acres funding streams: Living Roots and Green Cover; Innovation; and Integrating Animals on the Farm.

Integrating animals on the farm can have many benefits to soil health and promote carbon storage in cropland soil. Example practices include rotational grazing, silvopasture and bale grazing.

This year, Experimental Acres will be delivered by Grey County Agricultural Services. Successful applicants can expect to receive prompt reimbursement of costs to de-risk their trial, and for soil testing and result analysis, research support from staff and information about related events and programs.

Applications are available at www. dufferincounty.ca/experimentalacres.