Scott Timmings said he tried erosion-control structures but didn’t always get it right on his farm in Guelph-Eramosa Township.
That changed when he hired professionals to design and build the structures, using money offered by the Grand River Conservation Authority.
“It doesn’t cost us more and we get it done right the first time. It’s good for us and it’s good for the Grand River and the environment,” he said.
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The Grand River Conservation Authority pioneered the program of grants to farmers to reduce erosion and improve water quality.
Last year it supported 425 projects worth about $2.3 million, including tree planting to establish windbreaks and stream buffers, well upgrades and plugging of unused wells to protect groundwater, manure storages, erosion control structures and cover crops and wetland restoration projects.
The Waterloo Region provided financial backing for the first projects because it draws its drinking water from wells and the Grand River.
