News

Agricultural and Horticultural Societies Receive Funding

NORTH BAY – Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is pleased to announce that the Ontario government is providing $29,238.58 to five local Agricultural and Horticultural societies. Funding will provide financial support through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery in 2021.

“These societies have a long history in the District of Nipissing,” said MPP Fedeli. “They play a vital role in agricultural education and provide opportunities for young people across our area to learn and grow an appreciation for agriculture and horticulture. This funding will help support these societies during a difficult period so they can continue to operate and contribute to our economic recovery.”

Agricultural and horticultural societies play a vital role in communities across rural Ontario. That’s why the Ontario government announced the investment of $5 million in the fall budget, to help offset losses due to the cancellation of fall fairs, exhibits and other revenue generating activities due to COVID-19. Supporting our rich agricultural and horticultural traditions is important to maintaining the economic fabric of our rural communities and their contributions to our economic recovery.

Local recipients include:

• $11,807 for the Powassan Agricultural Society
• $7,707 for the Bonfield Agricultural Society
• $7,443 for the Trout Creek Agricultural Society
• $1,140 for the Callander Horticultural Society
• $1,140 for the North Bay Horticultural Society

Societies have been unable to hold revenue generating events over the past 11 months due to health and safety concerns around COVID-19.

This one-time initiative features two funding streams:

• $1.8M Base Support Funding will provide eligible agricultural societies with $7,000 and eligible horticultural societies with $1,140 in funding to support their continued delivery of agricultural and horticultural education across Ontario.
• $3.2M Hardship Funding for eligible agricultural societies will provide additional support which will be based on their reported gate receipts from 2019. This will help off-set operating losses, liabilities, and fixed overhead costs.

Funding is expected to flow before March 31, 2021.

QUICK FACTS

• The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies is a provincial association representing over 200 agricultural societies from across the province.
• The Ontario Horticultural Association is a volunteer charitable organization that encourages interest in gardening and related environmental issues representing over 280 horticultural societies from across the province.