The Kingston Wollastonite Rebate: Supporting Farmers with Sustainable Soil Solutions

Farmers are all too familiar with the challenges of rising input costs, fluctuating market prices or maintaining soil and crop health. Whether it’s dealing with pH imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, or soaring fertilizer prices, sustainable farming requires forward-thinking solutions. 

One such solution gaining popularity among Canadian farmers is the use of crushed wollastonite – a natural calcium silicate mineral that not only supports soil pH and crop yields but also provides long-term savings and environmental benefits.

One of the biggest advantages of wollastonite is its affordability. The UNDO and Canadian Wollastonite Farmer Program covers the supply and spreading of the rock. The only expense to farmers and landowners is trucking – a minimal investment compared to the cost of lime. 

Recognizing the value of this scientifically backed approach, the City of Kingston has launched a rebate initiative to help cover trucking costs for local farmers, making it easier to integrate wollastonite as a long-term soil amendment.

What is the Kingston Wollastonite Trucking Rebate?

Farmers within the City of Kingston municipal boundary can take advantage of a rebate for transporting wollastonite to their farms. The rebate offers up to $5 per tonne of wollastonite spread on eligible lands and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This initiative reduces financial barriers for farmers looking to adopt a sustainable alternative to lime while also contributing to the region’s environmental and agricultural resilience.

Who is Eligible for the Rebate?

Farmers and landowners within the municipal boundary of Kingston who:

– Apply wollastonite within one of the designated rebate periods
– Provide verifiable land parcel details and haulage receipts
– Use wollastonite as a soil amendment within their agricultural operations

By participating in this initiative, farmers gain access to a cost-effective, long-lasting solution for improving soil health while reducing dependency on traditional lime.

Wollastonite: A Natural Alternative to Lime with Co-Benefits

What is Wollastonite?

Wollastonite is a sustainable soil amendment rich in essential micro and macronutrients and sourced locally in Ontario by Canadian Wollastonite. It is applied with a standard lime spreader, is suitable for all crops including pasture and has been approved for use in organic farming systems. 

Key Benefits of Wollastonite for Farmers

1. Long-Lasting Soil pH Stability

Wollastonite has a liming effect, raising and maintaining the pH of your soil for multiple growing seasons. Unlike traditional lime which quickly adjusts soil pH but wears off within a short time, wollastonite gradually releases alkalinity to keep soil conditions optimal for longer, enhance nutrient uptake and cut lime input costs.

2. Improved Nutrient Availability

As the rock breaks down, it releases essential nutrients such as calcium, silicon and magnesium, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. These improve root growth, support nutrient uptake and ultimately increase yields.

3. Natural Disease and Pest Resistance

Silicon, a key component of wollastonite, is known for reinforcing plant cell walls, making crops less susceptible to pests and fungal infections. Research has shown that silicon-enriched soils contribute to stronger, healthier plants with better natural defenses.

4. Carbon Capture through Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW)

One of the unique environmental benefits of wollastonite is its ability to capture and store carbon dioxide through a natural process called enhanced rock weathering (ERW). This process helps permanently remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, supporting global climate goals while improving soil health.

The Nutrient Composition of Wollastonite

*Amount applied based on an application of 2 tonnes per acre

The Role of Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) in Agriculture

ERW is a nature-based climate solution that accelerates the natural process of rock weathering, in which silicate minerals absorb carbon dioxide from the air and permanently store it in stable carbonate forms. This improves soil structure while locking away CO₂ for thousands of years.

By applying finely crushed wollastonite to farmland, farmers can enhance soil productivity while making agriculture part of the solution to climate change.

The UNDO and Canadian Wollastonite Farmer Program: Making ERW Accessible

Alongside the Kingston Rebate, farmers can benefit from the UNDO and Canadian Wollastonite Farmer Program, which provides wollastonite at no cost aside from trucking expenses.

How the Program Works

1. Eligibility Check – Farmers within 150 km of Seeley’s Bay with soil pH levels between 6-7 are ideal candidates. However, there may be occasions where we can extend beyond this range so do get in touch with the team. 

2. Agree Spreading Area – A minimum of 80 tonnes (covering 20-40 acres) is preferred. Application rates typically range from 2-4 tonnes per acre.

3. Material Supply and Spreading – Canadian Wollastonite supplies and spreads wollastonite for free, with farmers only covering trucking costs.

4. Apply for the Kingston Rebate – Farmers submit their trucking receipts and verification details to receive up to $5 per tonne in transportation rebates.

5. Long-Term Soil Benefits – Farmers see stronger crops, healthier soils, and reduced reliance on synthetic inputs over multiple growing seasons.

Scaling Sustainable Agriculture Through Smart Initiatives

The Kingston Wollastonite Rebate and the UNDO and Canadian Wollastonite Farmer Program represent a major step toward making sustainable soil solutions more accessible and cost-effective. By supporting farmers in adopting wollastonite as an alternative to lime, these initiatives contribute to:

– Healthier, more resilient soils
– Lower input costs for farmers
– Improved carbon sequestration through ERW
– Stronger, more productive crop yields

With funding available on a first-come, first-served basis, farmers in Kingston have a unique opportunity to take advantage of this initiative before the budget is exhausted. Now is the time to invest in long-term soil health while reducing costs and supporting a more sustainable future for farming.

Get Started with Wollastonite

The Rebate initiative and the Farmer Program make it easier than ever for farmers to improve soil health while lowering costs. If you're interested in integrating wollastonite into your farming practices, our team is here to help.

Speak to our team