The Association is represented by more than 50 local county and district branches, within 11 regions across the province and is a significant presence in all the major agricultural areas of Ontario. Field days, crop tours and local workshops are organized locally to introduce new methods of crop and soil management. Farmers, working with farmers has been the motto of OSCIA for decades. Our diverse membership has a significant presence in all agricultural areas of the province and across all major sectors.
Scroll over or click on each circle in the image to discover 9 sound reasons to be a member.
Peer to Peer Learning
Guest speakers, twilight tours, demonstration projects, bus tours and
annual meetings provide excellent networking opportunities to share progressive ideas with
other farmers in your area. Despite current restrictions, we have been able to continue offering
peer-to-peer learning opportunities through virtual meetings, conferences, and events.
Educational Workshops
In addition to workshops supported through specific programs (e.g.
EFP), OSCIA delivers clinics and outdoor classrooms for learning. The large events held in
2019 in Elgin and Dundas Counties are excellent examples that demonstrated the causes of
compaction and what can be done in equipment and tire design to control it. The field day at
Huronview demonstration farm in 2019 is another terrific example that showcased innovative tile
drainage systems.
Grant Funding
Available exclusively to local and regional associations to support membership
engagement activities and applied research. The Regional Communication grant that helps
support regional communication coordinator activities, and the Tier One grants that assist with
peer learning opportunities are great examples.
Applied Research
Farmer-driven, applied research trials offer independent evaluation of new
technology and management techniques that can improve productivity and profitability. These
trials are delivered with expert guidance from OMAFRA and supported by members and agribusiness.
Knowledge Transfer
Sharing technologies and innovative research findings to members and
the broader farm community through The Innovator quarterly newsletter, OSCIA website, News
& Views, videos, Crop Advances, and presentations at events such as Ontario Agriculture
Conference and Canadaâs Outdoor Farm Show to give farmers the tools needed to effectively
seek-test-adopt best management practices
Various Discounts
Members enjoy discounted rates for farm show events/conferences and can
receive 10 percent discounts on soil testing through participating labs.
Provincial Support
The provincial organization provides coverage to all local and regional associations
for commercial general liability and director & officer insurance, and can provide the legal
backing to allow local and regional associations to apply for outside funding to support special
projects (e.g. Greenbelt Foundation support to Golden Horseshoe Region SCIA, SNAPP
support to Parry Sound- East Nipissing SCIA, and East Algoma Community Futures
Development Corporation support for Agricultural lime project by Algoma SCIA).
Personal Development
Local and regional associations rely on volunteers and with
additional resources provided from the provincial organization, offer the chance for individuals to
develop and exercise valuable leadership skills that could offer opportunities at the provincial
Board level, and serve a lifetime of community service.
A Voice
OSCIA appoints representatives to participate on relevant research and standing
committees in Ontario agriculture, providing a meaningful opportunity to influence investigations
and policy on soil, water, air and crop issues.
