Ontario provides $11,849.17 Agricultural and Horticultural Societies in Simcoe North
Province invests in local agricultural and horticultural societies to support their long-standing traditions.
News Release: April 7, 2022
The Ontario government is providing $11, 849.17 to support agricultural and horticultural societies in Simcoe North. Today’s news was shared by Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North. This investment will help these organizations continue to operate and support their important efforts to educate people about the value and significance of agriculture in the province.
“I am thrilled with this support for our local agricultural and horticultural societies that play a vital role in our communities. These past two years of COVID-19 have resulted in extreme financial pressures on these organizations, some of which have been active in the community for over a decade,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North. “I am proud to be part of a government that recognizes the needs of these groups so they can continue to bring joy to their community now and in the future.”
The funding is part of the Agricultural and Horticultural Support and Recovery Funding Initiative.
| Coldwater & District Agricultural Society | $4,679.95 |
| Midland Horticultural Society | $1,000.00 |
| Orillia & District Agricultural Society | $3,067.61 |
| Orillia Horticultural Society | $1,000.00 |
| Penetanguishene Horticultural Society | $1,000.00 |
| Ramona Agricultural Society | $1,101.61 |
This new funding builds on previous investments of more than $7 million to assist these organizations across the province over the past two years.
“The Orillia & District Agricultural Society was very grateful for the extra funding we received from the Ontario Government through the Ministry of Agriculture in the past two years to help us navigate the Covid “lockdowns,” said Chad Cooke, President of Orillia & District Agricultural Society.
There are two streams to this round of funding:
- Base Support Funding will be issued to all eligible Agricultural and Horticultural Societies through funding payments of $1,000 as a means of supporting their continued incorporation and activities.
- Hardship Funding for eligible Agricultural Societies will provide additional support which will be based on reported gate revenues from 2019. This will help off-set operating losses, liabilities, and fixed overhead costs related to land and buildings.
“The Penetanguishene Horticulture Society is 95 years old. We are a small community Garden Club, but
we would not be able to continue without the funds provided from Government funding. Thank you so much,” said Bonnie McLaren, President of Penetanguishene Horticulture Society
“Ontario’s agricultural and horticultural societies have long-enriched communities throughout the province and we look forward to them continuing to make significant contributions, from main street beautification projects to hosting the long-standing tradition of agricultural fairs, throughout the province in 2022,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “These investments reflect the value of the societies’ contributions and our government’s recognition of the pandemic-caused pressures these organizations have been weathering.”
Agricultural and Horticultural Societies play a critical role in educating Ontarians on the importance of agriculture and celebrating a rural way of life. Supporting this important sector, at this time, will ensure the long traditions and economic contributions of the societies will continue and strengthen as the province manages the impacts of COVID-19 and moves forward into the future.