Provided by: Nicole Mackellar, Director of Member Services and Business Development
The Program Department continued to strengthen support for Ontario producers in 2025 by expanding capacity, improving service delivery and enhancing access to critical cost-share programs.
A key development this year was the addition of two new staff positions: Program Analyst Team Lead and Client Service Representative. These roles have allowed the department to bring additional resources to program delivery, centralize producer inquiries, and ensure more consistent and timely support for producers. The centralized system for handling questions has streamlined processes, improved response times, and allowed program staff to focus on enhancing program effectiveness and outreach.
In 2025, the department successfully launched the 5th edition of the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). This updated edition was rolled out across the province, making the program accessible to producers in any region. The EFP 5th edition updates the 4th edition by incorporating current regulations, latest science and new focus areas like biodiversity, species at risk and climate change adaptation, while maintaining the same familiar format and completion time.
The department also delivered the On-Farm Climate Action Farm Expansion Program (OFCAF), which provided additional cost-share funding to support producers in adopting climate-smart and sustainable practices. This program enables producers to implement innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance soil and water management, and increase farm resilience. Program staff worked closely with applicants to ensure clarity around eligibility and facilitate an efficient application process.
Throughout the year, the department managed eight program intakes for programs including OFCAF, Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, Agricultural Stewardship Initiative, Nature Smart, Species At Risk Farm Incentive Program and the Species At Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands Program. These intakes provided opportunities for producers to access funding for projects that enhance sustainability, biodiversity, species at risk habitat development and environmental outcomes on farms.
Collectively, these efforts resulted in over $28 million in cost-share funding being delivered to Ontario producers in 2025. This funding has supported a wide range of initiatives, from environmental enhancements to climate action projects, demonstrating the department’s commitment to empowering producers and fostering sustainable practices across the province.
Through strategic investments in staffing, program innovation and delivery, the Program Department has strengthened its ability to support Ontario producers, ensuring programs are accessible, effective and impactful. These achievements reflect OSCIA’s ongoing dedication to helping Ontario producers succeed while promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.
