County’s experimental acres now accepting applications for 2026

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The 2026 intake for Wellington County’s Experimental Acres program is now open.

Launched in 2022, Experimental Acres provides farmers with support as they test regenerative agriculture practices on their operations.

The program offers a range of resources, including micro-grants of up to $3,000, soil analysis, staff guidance, peer networking and community events to help reduce the financial and technical risks associated with trying something new.

“Every farm is unique, and so is every regenerative approach,” said Justine Dainard, Smart Cities manager. “We work with participants to shape projects around their own goals and conditions because they are the experts on their land.”

Projects submitted typically explore one of three focus areas:

crop/planting – such as cover crops, intercropping systems or introducing alternative species into rotations;

animal/grazing – including rotational or adaptive grazing strategies, silvopasture and bale grazing; and

innovation – for example, using tarping to lower tillage requirements, experimenting with winter rotations, or establishing tallgrass prairie habitat.

“We encourage farmers across Wellington County to bring forward their ideas, large or small aimed at improving soil health, productivity or long-term sustainability,” Dainard added.

“Transitioning to regenerative practices takes experimentation, and Experimental Acres is designed to support that journey.”

Applications for the 2026 programme will be accepted until January 16, 2026, with approvals contingent on 2026 budget deliberations.

For more information on Experimental Acres or to apply for 2026, visit wellington.ca/experimentalacres.