SDG COUNTIES, Ontario - ALUS Ontario East and the Raisin Region Conservation Authority’s (RRCA) Agri-Action Land Stewardship program are inviting local farmers to participate in an on-farm twilight tour showcasing agricultural best management practices on Sept. 11.
“ALUS works to engage farmers and ranchers in creating nature-based solutions on their land to build climate resilience and enhance biodiversity for the benefit of communities and future generations,” said Brendan Jacobs, ALUS Ontario East Co-ordinator. “In exchange for managing and maintaining projects such as windbreaks, buffers, wetlands, delayed hay cuts, and more, ALUS participants receive an annual payment for every acre enrolled in the program.”
Farmers and ranchers are invited to join the twilight tour to learn more about ALUS and additional funding opportunities administered by local conservation authorities, such as local tree planting subsidies. The tour will begin at 5 p.m. at Raisin River Farm in Cornwall (1360 South Branch Road, Cornwall, ON) and will end at 8 p.m.. Participation is free, and dinner and refreshments will be provided. Participants should wear comfortable field clothes and sturdy footwear.
“During the last decade, Raisin River Farm has planted an impressive number of trees on their land,” said Cheyene Brunet, RRCA’s stewardship coordinator. “These trees not only provide habitat for wildlife but also protect against erosion and nutrient runoff.”
As spaces are limited, pre-registration is required at rrca.on.ca/Events or by contacting (613) 938-3611 ext. 224 or info@rrca.on.ca.
“We’re excited to welcome everyone at our farm for the twilight tour,” said Raisin River Farm’s Ross Grant. “Through following agricultural best management practices, we’ve planted over 31,000 trees across our farm to protect our land and water. We’re excited to share what we’ve learned with other farmers.”