The Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group (PAAWG)
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Building closer connections to Peel’s farming community
Formed in 1998, the Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group (PAAWG):
- Builds closer connections to Peel’s farming community.
- Acts as an advisory body to Peel Regional Council.
- Promotes the need for a healthy rural community while valuing Peel’s farmlands.
- Supports farmers and farming groups as important players in Peel’s economy and community.
- Acts as the Approvals Committee for funding applications under the Peel Rural Water Quality Program (PRWQP).
- Plays a key role in the ALUS Peel Pilot Program.
Other information
To learn more about the PAAWG purpose and structure:
- Refer to the PAAWG Terms of Reference.
- E-mail PAAWG.
- Contact PAAWG by mail or in person:
Marco Di Nizio
Junior Planner
Region of Peel
Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group (PAAWG)
c/o Planning and Development Services Division
10 Peel Centre Drive
Brampton, ON L6T 4B9
Suite B, 4th Floor
Phone: 905-791-7800 ext. 7854
14 members are appointed to PAAWG for a 4-year term.
These members include:
- The Regional Chair (ex-officio)
- Up to 3 Regional or area municipal Councillors
- 2 Peel Federation of Agriculture representatives
- 2 Peel Soil and Crop Improvement Association representatives
- 2 Peel Agricultural Society representatives or representatives of another special agricultural interest group
- 3 Citizens-at-Large
- 1 Peel youth organization representative or alternative representative of the agricultural community
Employees from the Region of Peel, the Town of Caledon, the Toronto and Region Conservation, and the Credit Valley Conservation also attend each meeting.
PAAWG meets a minimum of 4 times a year but might meet more frequently for special topics and events.
Meetings are open to the public, but due to COVID-19, meetings are held virtually through Microsoft Teams until further notice.
Older meeting minutes and agendas are available by request.
To confirm a meeting time and date or to request additional information, email us.
Meeting dates, agendas, and meeting minutes
Agendas and meeting minutes are posted once they become available.
2023 meeting dates:
- March 2, 2023 – Orientation Meeting – Agenda, Meeting Minutes
- March 23, 2023 – Agenda, Meeting Minutes
- May 18, 2023 – Agenda, Meeting Minutes
- August 17, 2023 – Agenda
- November 16, 2023
2022 meeting dates:
- March 31, 2022 – Agenda, Meeting Minutes
- May 19, 2022 – Agenda, Meeting Minutes
- August 18, 2022 – Agenda Meeting Minutes
- November 24, 2022 – Agenda, Meeting Minutes
PAAWG reports to Regional Council
If you would like to appear before PAAWG, submit a request to the Region 2 weeks before your preferred meeting date. For more detailed instructions, e-mail PAAWG.
Peel Region offers the Peel Rural Water Quality Program (PRWQP) in partnership with Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).
The PRWQP:
- Was developed with input from local farmers and residents as well as representatives from the Peel Federation of Agriculture and the Peel Soil and Crop Improvement Association.
- Helps agricultural landowners achieve their agri-environmental goals.
- Provides technical and financial resources to qualified agricultural landowners to continue their efforts as environmental stewards.
Eligible projects for funding
The following list of projects are eligible for funding.
The list is not exclusive. If you have a project that is not on this list, contact conservation authority employees since you may still be eligible for funding or technical support (or both).
Well decommissioning
Help with well decommissioning is available directly through the Region of Peel for all landowners.
Eligible project | Grant rate | Grant cap |
---|---|---|
Barnyard Runoff Control & Clean Water Diversion | 50% | $10,000 |
Cover Crops* | $100/ acre up to 50 acres | |
Education & Training* | 100% | $1,000 |
Erosion Control Structures | 70% | $10,000 |
Fuel & Chemical Storage | 50% | $3,000 |
Integrated Pest Management | 50% | $5,000 |
Irrigation Management | 50% | $10,000 |
Livestock Fencing from Environmentally Sensitive Features | 80% | $20,000 |
Manure Storage & Handling Systems and Composting Facilities* | 50% | $25,000 |
Milkhouse Washwater Disposal | 50% | $10,000 |
Natural Area Enhancement & Creation | 100% | $20,000 |
Nutrient Management Plan | 70% | $3,000 |
Nutrient Management Strategy | 50% | $10,000 |
Private Well Upgrade | 50% | $3,000 |
Silage Storage Enhancement & Relocation | 50% | $15,000 |
Tree Planting | 100% | $10,000 |
*See Peel Rural Water Quality Program Guidelines for complete grant rate and cap funding eligibility details.
For more information about the Peel Rural Water Quality Program contact:
Credit Valley Conservation Authority
1255 Old Derry Road
Mississauga, ON, L5N 6R4
Toll free: 1-800-668-5557 ext. 720
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
101 Exchange Avenue
Vaughan, ON, L4K 5R6
Phone: 416-661-6600 ext. 5915
Region of Peel - PAAWG
Planning & Development Services
Public Works
Phone: 905-791-7800 ext. 7854
Toll free: 1-888-919-7800 ext. 7854
ALUS Canada is a national charitable organization. It works with farmers across Canada through community-based programs. These programs support and provide recognition to farmers who are starting long-term environmental stewardship projects on their farms.
The ALUS Peel Pilot Program builds on the Peel Rural Water Quality Program. It offers farmers additional support and recognition for their stewardship efforts.
ALUS Canada, the Region of Peel, CVC, and TRCA have partnered to bring this 3-year pilot project to Peel.
The ALUS Peel Pilot:
- Recognizes the importance of agriculture.
- Supports farmers’ ongoing efforts in caring for the natural areas of their properties.
- Recognizes the important environmental benefits provided to surrounding communities.
The pilot supports the following stewardship projects:
- Native tree and shrub planting
- Grassland, wetland and stream restoration
- Livestock fencing
- Erosion control structures
These projects deliver important ecological outcomes by:
- Creating wildlife habitats.
- Improving soil and water quality.
- Reducing flood risk, and
- Capturing carbon.
The pilot project offers financial and technical help to farmers who are carrying out these types of stewardship projects. It also will provide participating farmers with annual payments for ongoing project maintenance and monitoring.
Credit Valley Conservation Authority
1255 Old Derry Road
Mississauga, ON, L5N 6R4
Toll free: 1-800-668-5557 ext. 720
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
101 Exchange Avenue
Vaughan, ON, L4K 5R6
Phone: 416-661-6600 ext. 5915
Region of Peel - PAAWG
Planning & Development Services
Public Works
Phone: 905-791-7800 ext. 7854
Toll free: 1-888-919-7800 ext. 7854