Georgina educational farm scores $150,000 through $3.3 million rural grants program

Ontario Water Centre in Willow Beach lets kids get hands dirty, boots muddy

Yorkregion.com
July 31, 2020

The provincial government is investing $3.3 million in a cost-sharing program to revitalize the economies of rural and Indigenous communities, according to an announcement made in Georgina.

The funding, through the updated Rural Economic Development (RED) program, will be spread over 58 projects, Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Ernie Hardeman, and York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney, said at Willow Beach July 23.

"Supporting local jobs and removing barriers to investment and economic growth in rural communities is more important than ever," Hardeman said.

“As the economy reopens, our investments in the Rural Economic Development program will have a very real impact for communities across rural Ontario."

One of the 58 projects receiving money is the Ontario Water Centre on ClearWater Farm in Willow Beach, which will use the $150,000 investment to support its Young Agripreneurs Program.

The program provides hands-on experience to young people interested in pursuing careers in regenerative agriculture.

"Through today's investment, our government is creating jobs and driving economic growth at a time when needed most in rural Ontario," Mulroney said.

“By investing in today's youth and career development through great local organizations like the Ontario Water Centre, we're ensuring young people can stay and work in their own communities."

The centre describes itself on its website at clearwaterfarm.ca as an educational farm that helps kids grow by giving them the opportunity to get hands dirty gardening, their boots muddy exploring the natural world and their young minds excited by fresh food, fresh water, fresh air and fresh ideas.

Under the RED program, there are two ways for rural and Indigenous communities to tap into government funding.

Under the economic diversification and competitiveness stream, the province will contribute up to 50 per cent to a maximum of $150,000 toward eligible projects that remove barriers to business and job growth, attract investment, attract or retain a skilled workforce, strengthen sector and regional partnerships and diversify regional economies.

Under the strategic economic infrastructure stream, the province will invest up to 30 per cent to a maximum of $250,000 toward eligible projects that advance economic development and investment opportunities.