Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group
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.
Appearing before PAAWG as a delegate
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.
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:
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 Peel Region, 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 PAAWG.
Meeting dates, agendas, and meeting minutes
Agendas and meeting minutes are posted once they become available.
2024 meeting dates
March 7, 2024
May 16, 2024
August 15, 2024
November 21, 2024
2023 meeting dates
March 2, 2023 (orientation meeting)
March 23, 2023
May 18, 2023
August 17, 2023
November 16, 2023
PAAWG reports to Regional Council
- 2023 – Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group Update and related initiatives
- 2023 – Peel Rural Water Quality Program and ALUS Peel–2022 status report
- 2023 Work Plan for 2022-2026 Term of Council
- 2022 – Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group update and related initiatives
- 2021 – Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group update 2019-2020 and related initiatives
- 2019 – Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group 2018 update and revisions to the Peel Rural Water Quality Program guidelines
- 2018 – Peel Agricultural Advisory Working Group and Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance annual update and funding request
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 Peel Region for all landowners.
| Eligible project | Grant rate | Grant cap |
|---|---|---|
| Barnyard Runoff Control and Clean Water Diversion | 50% | $12,000 |
| Cover Crops | $100/acre up to 50 acres1 $40/acre for additional acres up to 300 acres1 | |
| Crop Nutrient Plan | 70%2 | $3,0002 |
| Education | 100% | $1,5003 |
| Erosion Control Structures | 70% | $10,000 |
Forest Plantation Management
| 30% 50% | $500 $6,000 |
| Fuel and Chemical Storage | 50% | $3,500 |
| Integrated Pest Management | 50% | $5,000 |
| Irrigation Management | 50% | $10,000 |
| Livestock Fencing from Environmentally Sensitive Features | 80%4 | $20,000 |
| Manure Storage and Handling Systems and Composting Facilities | 50%4 | $30,0004 |
| Milkhouse Washwater Disposal | 50% | $10,000 |
| Natural Area Enhancement and Creation | 100% | $20,000 |
| Nutrient Management Plan | 70%2 | $3,0002 |
| Nutrient Management Strategy | 70%2 | $2,0002 |
| Private Well Abandonment | Offered through the Region of Peel | |
| Private Well Upgrade | 50% | $3,000 |
| Silage Storage Enhancement and Relocation | 50% | $18,000 |
| Tree Planting | 100% | $10,000 |
- Limited to a maximum of 50 ac/year/farm business and 300 ac/farm business over the life of the program
- Rate and cap listed in table refer to first application. Reduced rate and cap will be applied to subsequent applications. See Project Specific Information and Guidelines for details.
- Limited to once per year/organization
- 100% grant rate will apply on materials only if installed by landowner.
*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 and 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, Peel Region, 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 and Development Services
Public Works
Phone: 905-791-7800 ext. 7854
Toll free: 1-888-919-7800 ext. 7854