• land conversion - converting environmentally sensitive land to perennial cover;

• critical areas - managing agricultural land near water;

• technical assistance - helping producers adopt beneficial management practices; and

• shelterbelts - planting trees on agricultural land.

The land-conversion component provides producers with advice and financial incentives to convert environmentally sensitive land to perennial cover. In order to qualify, an individual must be the registered landowner and agree to seed the land with approved perennial plants, and to enter into a 10-year land-use agreement. The land must also meet program criteria based on land quality, land use, and an assessment of environmental sensitivity, as well as other criteria.

The minimum amount of land that Greencover Canada will consider for conversion is 40 adjacent acres on the same quarter section or parcel of land, with a maximum of up to 640 acres. Long-lived perennial species, such as forage, shrubs, and trees, should make up at least 75% of the seed mix. These perennial species can include certain tame forage and native seeds. The Greencover Canada Program does support the use of native species including Indian grass, Big bluestem, Switchgrass and Little bluestem for this program, and provides additional incentives.

If Greencover Canada approves the application, the landowner will receive $20 per acre for seeding or planting tame forage or trees, or $75 per acre for seeding or planting native species; and $25 per acre after establishment of the perennial cover, after Greencover Canada inspects it, and after you sign the 10-year land-use agreement. The deadline for submitting applications in 2003 only is August 1. For each year after to 2006, the deadline is January 31. For more information, go on-line at www.agr.gc.ca/greencover-verdir or by telephone at 1-866-844-5620.

Tallgrass Ontario

Tel: (519)873-4631
Charitable Registration #88787 7819 RR0001