From fieldcropnews.com
By Adam Hayes, OMAFRA Soil Management Specialist
On November 1st the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs released New Horizons: Ontario’s Draft Agricultural Soil Health and Conservation Strategy for public input. The strategy will serve as a blueprint for Ontario agriculture to protect and improve its soils for years to come. The strategy has four key areas soil management, soil data and mapping, soil evaluation and monitoring and soil knowledge and innovation.
Input is being sought on actions proposed in the strategy. Are they the right actions? Are there other things that can be done to move each of the areas forward? Are there innovative approaches that have not been considered in the strategy?
Your input will be taken to improve the strategy which in turn will help address soil health and conservation issues going forward.
Please take some time to review the document and provide your thoughts and feedback on the draft strategy.
The draft strategy can be found here. Comments will be received until December 31st, 2017
Comments may be submitted a number of ways:
1. Submit your comment through the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry at www.ontario.ca/ebr registry number 013-1373
2. Fill out this feedback form
3. Email: soilhealth@ontario.ca
4. Fax: 519-826-3492
5. Mail: Agricultural Soil Health and Conservation Strategy
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
1 Stone Road West, 2nd floor
Guelph, ON N1G 4Y2
Visit an Open House
If writing isn’t your thing, then also note the schedule for a series of public comment sessions. Come visit in person and provide your best advice! Pre-registration is not required at these drop-in events. Participating in an open house will give you the opportunity to talk with OMAFRA soil staff, ask questions and provide input:
1. November 22, St. Isidore Recreation Centre, 20 de l’Arena Street, St. Isidore (5-9 p.m.)
2. November 27, Woodstock OMAFRA office, Unit 1 – 401 Lakeview Drive, Woodstock (6-9 p.m.)
3. November 28, Chatham area (Country View Golf Course, 25393 St. Clair Road. R. R. #1. Dover Centre) (1-4 pm and 6-9 p.m.)
4. December 14, Codrington Community Centre, 2992 Rd 30, Codrington (3-6 p.m.)
5. December 15, Flesherton KinPlex, 2 Highland Dr., Flesherton (3:15-5:30 p.m.)
Participate in a Webinar
Another way to hear about the draft soil strategy and provide feedback is through a webinar / teleconference being held on Dec 11 from 1:00-3:00pm.
To register for the webinar / teleconference please call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre (AICC at 1-877-424-1300) or email ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
Click here for more information and to access the document.
A final Soil Health and Conservation Strategy for Ontario which will be released in spring 2018.
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