Agricultural and horticultural initiative guidelines
Find out if you’re eligible for a one-time payment to agricultural and horticultural societies.
Overview
Due to COVID-19, we are providing a one-time payment in 2020 to every eligible agricultural and horticultural society in Ontario.
The payment amount is based on a society’s 2019 grant eligibility under the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act (AHOA).
Eligibility and available funding
This one-time payment will be automatically issued to all eligible societies that received a grant in 2019. It replaces the 2020 grant.
Funding is expected to be provided in September 2020.
No application is required. However, in order to receive the payment, your society must:
- be registered in Transfer Payments Ontario (TPON)
- ensure your society’s information is up-to-date in TPON, including the society’s legal name and contact information
Get help with logging in, navigating or updating your society’s profile in TPON
Wet weather grants (agricultural societies only)
Due to COVID-19, most exhibitions have been cancelled and the Wet Weather Grant will not be considered for funding this year.
Centennial grants (agricultural societies only)
A centennial grant of $1,500 may still be awarded to a society in the year it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
To be eligible, societies must have:
- existed for 100 years
- constructed a permanent commemorative structure for the anniversary
To apply, societies must send a letter to the ministry that describes:
- your plans for a commemorative structure and plaque
- the date(s) when the centennial will be acknowledged
We must receive your letter two months before the date of any celebrations.
Send the letter by mail or email to:
AHOA Administration, Rural Programs Branch
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
1 Stone Road West, 4th Floor NW
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 4Y2
Email: ahoa.admin@ontario.ca
Annual reporting requirements
Societies are still required to submit a 2020 annual return.
Societies that are incorporated under the Act must provide the ministry with an annual report within the timelines and according to the requirements of the Act.
We will reach out to societies by email with information about how to submit your 2020 annual report later this year.
Contact us
For more information, contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at: