Value Provided to OSCIA Membership
The Association is represented by more than 50 local county and district branches, within 11 regions across the province and is a significant presence in all the major agricultural areas of Ontario. Field days, crop tours and local workshops are organized locally to introduce new methods of crop and soil management. Farmers, working with farmers has been the motto of OSCIA for decades. Our diverse membership has a significant presence in all agricultural areas of the province and across all major sectors.
Peer to Peer Learning
Guest speakers, twilight tours, demonstration projects, bus tours and
annual meetings provide excellent networking opportunities to share progressive ideas with
other farmers in your area. During the pandemic OSCIA quickly pivoted to virtual meetings, conferences, and events, in order to continue offering peer-to-peer learning opportunities. This experience has expanded the organizations range of peer-to-peer learning opportunities to both online and in-person, offering a broad range of opportunities for our fellow members.
Educational Workshops
In addition to workshops supported through specific programs (e.g.
EFP), OSCIA delivers clinics and outdoor classrooms for learning. The large events held in
2019 in Elgin and Dundas Counties are excellent examples that demonstrated the causes of
compaction and what can be done in equipment and tire design to control it. The field day at
Huronview demonstration farm in 2019 is another terrific example that showcased innovative tile
drainage systems.
Grant Funding
Grant funding is available exclusively to local and regional associations to support membership engagement activities and in-field applied research projects. The Regional Communication grant helps
support regional communication coordinator activities, and the Tier One grants assist with
peer learning opportunities.
Click to view available Grants
Applied Research
Farmer-driven, applied research trials offer independent evaluation of new
technology and management techniques that can improve productivity and profitability. These
trials are delivered with expert guidance from OMAFRA and supported by members and agribusiness.
Click to view info on Applied Research
Knowledge Transfer
Sharing technologies and innovative research findings to members and
the broader farm community through The Innovator quarterly newsletter, OSCIA website, Grassroots Matters, videos, Crop Advances, and presentations at events such as Ontario Agriculture
Conference and Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show give farmers the tools needed to effectively
seek-test-adopt best management practices.
Various Discounts
Members enjoy discounted rates for farm show events/conferences and can
receive discounts on soil testing through participating labs.
Provincial Support
The provincial organization provides coverage to all local and regional associations
for commercial general liability and director & officer insurance, and can provide the legal
backing to allow local and regional associations to apply for outside funding to support special
projects (e.g. Greenbelt Foundation support to Golden Horseshoe Region SCIA, SNAPP
support to Parry Sound-East Nipissing SCIA, and East Algoma Community Futures
Development Corporation support for Agricultural lime project by Algoma SCIA).
Personal Development
Local and regional associations rely on volunteers. With additional resources provided from the provincial organization, OSCIA offers the chance for individuals to develop and exercise leadership skills that offer the opportunity for valuable community service.
Click to view info on Personal Development
A Voice
OSCIA appoints representatives to participate on relevant research and standing
committees in Ontario agriculture, providing a meaningful opportunity to influence investigations
and policy on soil, water, air and crop issues.
Click to view current Director committees
Click on each circle in the image to the left, to discover more on the nine great reasons to be an OSCIA member.
Click the center logo to return to the initial page outlining the Value Provided to OSCIA Membership
