Ontario's soil map getting first update in 40 years

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Published on Thursday, 28 April 2016 16:41

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The provincial and federal governments have teamed up to invest $5.1 million to update Ontario's soil map.

Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Jeff Leal, the MPP for Peterborough, made the announcement Friday at Hawthorne Ridge Heritage Farm in Douro-Dummer Township.

Funds will be invested over the next two years, with Peterborough County allocated $875,000 for aerial mapping, data collection and field logistics and staff.

Along with Peterborough County, updates this spring will focus on farmland bordering the city of Ottawa and along the Cochrane to Hearst corridor in northeastern Ontario.

In 2017 and 2018, the upper part of the Grand River Conservation Authority and Temiskaming Shore area of northeastern Ontario will be updated.

"Improving provincial soil maps will help us better manage the urban growth and protect farmland for future generations," said Leal.

The investment will provide the needed data to protect the quality of Ontario's lakes, rivers and streams and deal with environmental effects of climate change.

It'll also help farmers make good production decisions, like where to put their crops and when, he added.

Last year, it was brought to Leal's attention that the current soil map in Ontario, and the nine other provinces in Canada, was a map developed 40 years ago.

"No business today would function with a tool that's 40 years old, so that's why we're moving ahead on this," said Leal.

Gord Green, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association president, said soil maps are valuable management tools that help identify the soil's potential and limitations.

"(Soil) is the valuable resource that is the backbone of our agriculture industry ... and must be protected for future generations," Green said.

Mike and Susan Bohm own Hawthorne Ridge Heritage Farm.

The 105-acre farm raises beef, poultry and pork and produces honey.

Susan called the funding a "huge gift" to farmers across the province.

"We thank you on behalf of farmers for this tremendous gift that will help us to meet that goal of sustainability over time," she said to Leal.

The $5.1 million comes through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial initiative encouraging innovation, competitiveness and market development in Canada's agri-food and agri-products sector.

By Jessica Nyznik
Published in The Peterborough Examiner, April 23, 2016

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