How to Apply for Ontario's Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (2026)

If you farm in Ontario, the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is one of the most worthwhile grants you can apply for. It shares the cost of practical improvements to your land — and it can cover a serious chunk of the bill. But the paperwork puts a lot of people off before they start. This guide breaks it down so you know exactly what to do.

What is the ASI?

The ASI is a cost-share program delivered through the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA). It reimburses part of the cost of eligible best-management practices (BMPs) — things like cover crops, erosion control, nutrient management, buffer strips, and grazing improvements. It typically covers up to 50% of project costs, to a maximum of $90,000 per project, depending on the practice.

Who qualifies?

To be eligible you generally need to be an Ontario farm business with a valid Farm Business Registration Number, and — this is the big one — a completed Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). The EFP is a workbook that reviews the environmental risks and opportunities on your farm. No EFP, no ASI. If you don't have one yet, that's your first step, not the application.

Key 2026 dates

Intakes open and close on set windows, and they can fill quickly. The best move is to have your EFP done and your project mapped out before an intake opens, so you can apply the moment it does. Deadlines shift year to year — always confirm the current intake window on the OSCIA website, and mark it the day you hear it.

How to apply, step by step

1. Complete your Environmental Farm Plan. Do the workbook (or get help preparing it) and have it peer-reviewed. This is the gate.
2. Pick your project. Choose an eligible BMP that fits your farm and matches a funded category.
3. Map your land use and fields. Clear field maps and current land-use records make the application far stronger.
4. Get quotes. Line up vendor quotes for the work — you'll need them for the budget.
5. Build the budget. Total your costs and calculate the cost-share you're requesting (usually 50%, capped by the program).
6. Apply during the intake window. Submit through OSCIA with your EFP, budget, quotes, and maps attached.
7. Follow up and report. Answer any questions, complete the work, and submit the required progress/completion reporting to get paid.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until the intake opens to start the EFP — by then it's too late.
• Vague project descriptions. Reviewers want specifics: what, where, how much, why.
• Missing documents (quotes, financials, maps) that stall or sink the application.
• Starting the funded work before approval, which can make it ineligible.

Get ready the easy way

Most of the work is simply being organized before the intake opens. We built a free 2026 Ontario Farm Grant Checklist + Deadline Calendar so you know exactly which grants you qualify for and when they close — and what to have ready. Grab it below.

Prefer to hand it off? We offer EFP preparation and done-for-you grant writing — flat-fee, never a cut of your award. Or do it yourself with the Farm Grant Toolkit and course.

This guide is general information, not official program advice. Always confirm current eligibility, funded practices, and deadlines with OSCIA before applying.