Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Ontario seeks AgriRecovery aid to help Bradford Marsh growers

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

by SUSAN MANN

The provincial agriculture ministry has asked Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to launch a formal assessment process under the AgriRecovery framework for farmers who lost their crops after spring floods in the Holland Marsh.

On May 25 and then again on June 16, about 130 acres of carrot and onion crops in the Horlings Marsh-Bradford area of the marsh were flooded with more than a metre of water when the area’s dyke failed.

Farmers have said it is now too late to try to establish another planting and crops for the year have been lost.
 
In a July 4 letter to federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Wynne says “the assessment will help us to fully understand the impact of this situation on producers in the area (Horlings Marsh) and how best to respond to ensure that they are able to emerge from this challenge and thrive in the future.”

She also told Ritz she appreciates his “support in addressing this request as quickly as possible.”

AgriRecovery is a risk management framework jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments designed to provide targeted assistance to farmers facing specific disasters, such as from weather or disease.

The province has also given the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury an emergency declaration under the Drainage Act so it can move quickly to fix the Horlings Dyke.

The ministry administers the Act and without the emergency declaration it’s a two to three year process for the town to get the proper permits and approvals from various agencies to fix and maintain the dyke.

Gabrielle Gallant, Premier and Agriculture Minister Kathleen Wynne’s spokesperson, says by email ministry officials worked with the town to assess the situation and now that the declaration has been granted the town can proceed with the work “under the supervision of an engineer and with the support of affected property owners.”

Gallant says in the email the “flooding has had a significant impact on an unique area of Ontario that is so important to our agri-food industry.”

As for more recent flooding in Chatham Kent, Gallant says the ministry and Agricorp are in contact with farmers in that area. “Just as we are in Bradford, ministry staff are working with the landowners to see how existing programs may be brought to bear to assist them to recover from these unfortunate situations.”

She says the government has a variety of insurance and risk management programs available for producers to help them deal with adverse weather conditions.

South Huron County, west Elgin County and southwest Middlesex and Lambton Counties have also experienced flooding due to recent rains. Gallant says ministry staff haven’t gotten back to her yet as to if they are in contact with farmers in those areas. BF

Current Issue

May 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Mother’s Day Q&A with Anna McCutcheon

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Mother’s Day is only a few days away (that’s another reminder), and this week Farms.com has connected with moms in ag for their thoughts on motherhood, its challenges, and how being a parent has changed them. Anna McCutcheon (AM) and her husband Mark are the first generation on their... Read this article online

Creating Safe Farms for Kids

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is hosting the second annual Kids FarmSafe Week from May 12 to 18, with the theme “Nurturing the Future of Agriculture.” The initiative aims to raise awareness about health and safety risks for children and youth on farms. According... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top