Vanden Bussche Irrigation Demonstration Farm - the tour site - is part of the Long Point Region Conservation Authority Prairie Grass Buffer demonstration and pilot project that is establishing permanent vegetative buffers between agricultural fields and valley/streams, using prairie grasses.

Bob Speller, MP for Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant and Chair of the Prime Minister’s Caucus Task Force on Future Opportunities in Farming, will be representing the federal government at this event. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has provided $2.475 million for environmental sustainability in Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sector through the AESI.

This $10 million, 3-year national program, launched in 2001, is funded by AAFC's $60 million-per-year Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD) fund. This program is delivered cooperatively by Ontario’s Agricultural Adaptation Council and the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition.

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For more information contact:

Mary Jarvis, Program Coordinator, Agricultural Adaptation Council Tel: (519) 822-7554 or Mary's e-mail

Paul Gagnon, Lands and Waters Supervisor, Long Point Region Conservation Authority Tel: (519) 428-4623 or 1-888-231-5408 or watercare@lprca.on.ca