Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) - Natural Grassland Establishment

Funding to make Ontario agricultural lands more resilient

RALP funding supports the costs associated with the establishment and long-term maintenance of native perennial grasslands on marginal/lower productivity agricultural landscapes in Ontario. A grassland is dominated by grasses rather than by trees, as in a forest. Growing with the grasses are many other kinds of non-grassy herbaceous plants known by the collective name of forbs . On moist soils, prairie blends into marshlands dominated by sedges rather than grasses (adapted from Tallgrass Ontario). Native grasslands result in more resilient agricultural landscapes with an increased ability to sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce soil erosion, and provide many other ecological benefits. Native grasslands are often best suited to wet, sloping, poor-soil, or otherwise marginal fields.

1. Review the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program Guide to understand eligibility criteria and required documentation 2. Obtain a certificate of completion for a 4th Edition Environmental Farm Plan 3. Create an account and complete the Enrolment Form on the OSCIA Portal 4. Prepare a detailed site map of the project location 5. Secure a letter of support from a qualified third-party expert 6. Gather documentation to support your farm business status, such as a valid premises identification (PID) number or Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN) 7. Complete the Application Form with all required information 8. Submit the completed application and all supporting documents electronically through the OSCIA Portal