Calling All Farmers – Hop on the Agri-Action Bus Tour!
ALUS Ontario East is hosting a bilingual Agri-Action stewardship tour on September 12 to view local farm demonstration projects in its eastern Ontario area of operation. Farmers and ranchers are invited to join the tour to learn more about ALUS and additional funding opportunities administered by the Raisin Region and South Nation Conservation Authorities, such as local tree planting subsidies.
The tour will showcase projects at several farms, such as constructed or enhanced wetlands, buffers, grasslands, erosion control, tree planting, and more. As spaces are limited, farmers are encouraged to secure their bus seat at rrca.on.ca/events or by contacting:
(613) 938-3611 ext. 224 or [email protected].
ALUS came to eastern Ontario in 2012. Today, ALUS Ontario East operates within the boundaries of the Raisin-South Nation Source Protection Region. The program is led by the local Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC) with assistance from its legal entity, the Raisin Region Conservation Authority. The PAC is comprised of members from both the local farming and environmental communities.
ALUS Ontario East works with farmers and ranchers to enhance ecosystem services on marginal, inefficient, and fragile areas and on lands that can be managed in a different manner through projects that best suit their farming operations. ALUS participants receive an annual payment for every acre enrolled in the program in exchange for managing and maintaining projects that increase ecosystem services to that benefit both their farm and wider community.
ALUS Ontario East supports the establishment, management, and maintenance of various innovative and sustainable projects such as wetlands and beaver baffles, erosion control, buffers, windbreaks, grasslands, modified grazing practices, livestock exclusion fencing, and more. ALUS is voluntary and non-prescriptive, which allows for increased flexibility when designing projects to suit any farming operation. The program is always on the lookout for interesting and innovative project ideas that will bring together agriculture and nature.
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ALUS Ontario East Coordinator
Marc Bercier, Vice-Chair, resident of La Nation
John Van Turnhout, Past Chair, resident of North Stormont
William Robertson, resident of South Glengarry
Kurt MacSweyn, resident of North Glengarry
Jacqueline Pemberton, resident of North Dundas
Ian Walker, resident of Alfred and Plantagenet
Stephen Burgess, resident of South Glengarry
Rene Lalonde, resident of North Stormont
Lisa Van De Ligt, Advisor, Raisin Region Conservation Authority
Ronda Boutz, Advisor, South Nation Conservation
Jean Saint-Pierre, Advisor, Boisés Est
Mikayla Stinson, Advisor, Ducks Unlimited Canada
Benoit Lebeau, Advisor, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Alyssa Cousineau, Advisor, ALUS