Farmland stretches over 12 million acres of Ontario, often integrated with valuable plant, fish and wildlife habitat. As stewards of the land, farmers have a unique opportunity to support species at risk (SAR) alongside their farming practices. The Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP) provides funding to agricultural landowners who complete habitat creation, enhancement and protection Best Management Practices (BMPs) that support species at risk (SAR). The range of possible activities applies to croplands, grasslands, stream banks, shorelines, wetlands and woodlands.
Cost-share funding is available for beneficial practices that directly or indirectly benefit SAR. The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) allocates cost-share based on project applications and issues approved cost-share after projects have been completed and the required documentation is received.
Intake Open Date: May 22, 2025 9am ET
Intake Close Date: When the budget is fully allocated
Eligible Start Date: April 1, 2025
Claim Deadline: December 15, 2025
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The Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP) provides funding to agricultural landowners interested in completing habitat creation, enhancement and protection Best Management Practices (BMPs) that support species at risk. Addressing risks identified through the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) workbook, farmers can implement practices that are beneficial for species listed as at-risk in Ontario. The range of possible activities applies to croplands, grasslands, stream banks, shorelines, wetlands and woodlands. Check out the SARFIP 2022 Brochure for the full program details.
Applications are only accepted during application intakes. Be sure to carefully review information in the SARFIP Online Program Guide as only eligible and complete applications will be considered.
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To be eligible for SARFIP you must meet the following three criteria:
Be actively farming or own actively farmed land in Ontario.
The online Program Guide provides program information, including eligibility criteria, project category information, application intake dates, Enrolment and Application Forms.
Resources for Applying
The Online Program Guide provides program information, including eligibility criteria, project category information, application intake dates, Enrolment and Application Forms.
Safe and healthy habitat is the key to sustaining biodiversity, and biodiversity is key to a resilient landscape. The Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tool (HBAT) focuses on stewardship opportunities to foster this resilience, which benefits not only wildlife and plants but current and future landowners. The stewardship opportunities that are presented for your land are based on your geographic location and the existing habitat features that you supply during the on-line assessment process. The results include recommendations that are suitable for habitats found on your land, and can benefit the plant, pollinator, and any wildlife species that may occur.
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Planting must be done directly through a Conservation Authority and prepayment for all services and fees must be completed with proof of payment submitted to OSCIA as part of your claim package. The applicant must enter into a Tree Service Agreement (provided by OSCIA to applicant upon conditional approval of a submitted application). The agreement must be signed by the applicant and the Conservation Authority before being submitted to OSCIA for final approval. In the event that a Conservation Authority is not available to undertake the project (e.g. there is no Conservation Authority in your area, or they are unable to take on your project) an independent Planting Delivery Agent may be used. The independent Planting Delivery Agent must hold liability insurance of two million dollars or more to cover the activities outlined in the approved SARFIP application and provide a copy of this insurance with the completed Tree Service Agreement.
Construction & Mitigation Guidelines
Construction & Mitigation Guidelines
(Applies to BMP 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.2 and 4.1)
(Applies to BMP 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.2 and 4.1)
With help from #SARPAL, Valleybrook Farm was able to protect woodland habitat, create corridors, delay haying, and set up a rotational grazing system to support #SpeciesAtRisk. Species monitoring by Blazing Star Environmental Conservation Biologists also helped Pam learn more about her farm and plan for future activities.
Looking for Species at Risk (SAR) Resources? Click here.
Funding Statement
This project has received funding support from the Government of Ontario. Such support does not indicate endorsement by the Government of Ontario of the contents of this material.
Thank you for choosing to join OSCIA!Merci d'avoir choisi de rejoindre l'AASRO!
To become an OSCIA member with your local association, you'll be redirected to the OSCIA Portal at osciaportal.org.
The first step is to create an account, which will give you access to your personalized dashboard. From there, you can register for workshops, apply for cost-share programs, and complete your membership registration.
To finalize your membership, simply click the Membership button on your dashboard. You'll then be guided to select your region and the local association where you'd like to become a member.
We're excited to have you with us! At any point if you have any questions, please contact us at portalsupport@ontariosoilcrop.orgPour devenir membre de l'AASRO auprès de votre association locale, vous serez redirigé vers le portail de l'AASRO à l'adresse osciaportal.org.
La première étape consiste à créer un compte, qui vous donnera accès à votre tableau de bord personnalisé. Vous pourrez ensuite vous inscrire aux ateliers, appliquer aux programmes à frais partagés et finaliser votre adhésion. Pour finaliser votre adhésion, cliquez simplement sur le bouton « Adhésion » de votre tableau de bord. Vous serez ensuite guidé pour sélectionner votre région et l'association locale dont vous souhaitez devenir membre.Nous sommes ravis de vous compter parmi nous !
You are navigating away from the OSCIA website!Vous êtes sur le point de quitter le site Web de l`AASRO !
You are leaving ontariosoilcrop.org to visit an external site not hosted by OSCIA. OSCIA is not responsible for content provided by this or other third-party sites, including those to which you may be redirected. You are subject to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions of the destination sites(s).Vous quittez le site Web ontariosoilcrop.org pour un site non hébergé par l`AASRO. L`AASRO n`est pas responsable du contenu de cet autre site ou d`autres sites tiers, y compris ceux vers lesquels vous pourriez être redirigé. Vous serez soumis à la politique de protection des renseignements personnels et aux conditions d`utilisation des sites de destination.
