Farmers are often looking for ways to manage soil health while keeping input costs down. Whether it’s addressing pH imbalances, improving nutrient availability, or offsetting rising fertilizer prices, finding cost-effective, long-term solutions is key.
A solution gaining traction in Ontario is crushed wollastonite, a natural calcium silicate mineral that provides both soil and environmental benefits. It offers a long-lasting liming effect, releases essential nutrients, and plays a role in carbon removal through enhanced rock weathering (ERW).
To make it even more accessible to local farmers, the City of Kingston has launched a rebate initiative to help cover trucking costs for local farmers. Combined with the Canadian Wollastonite & UNDO Farmer Program, which provides free wollastonite, this initiative significantly cuts the cost of adopting this proven soil amendment.
How the Kingston Trucking Rebate Works
Farmers within the City of Kingston municipal boundary can receive $5 per tonne of wollastonite spread on their land. This first-come, first-served rebate helps offset transportation costs, making it even more accessible for farmers to integrate wollastonite into soil management practices.
Ontario farmers can already access subsidized wollastonite through the Canadian Wollastonite & UNDO Farmer Program, which covers the cost of the material and spreading, with farmers only paying for trucking.
Who is Eligible?
Farmers and landowners within Kingston’s municipal boundary who:
- Apply wollastonite within the designated rebate period
- Provide verifiable land parcel details and trucking receipts
- Use wollastonite as a soil amendment for agricultural operations
This initiative helps Ontario farmers improve soil health while reducing dependency on traditional lime.
Wollastonite for Soil Health
Farmers across Ontario are already turning to wollastonite as a sustainable soil amendment that supports long-term productivity. As the only supplier of wollastonite in Ontario, in partnership with UNDO we ensure farmers have access to this locally sourced, high-quality mineral.
Key Benefits of Wollastonite for Farmers
Improved Nutrient Supply
As wollastonite weathers, it gradually releases essential nutrients, including calcium, silicon, and magnesium. These minerals support strong root growth, enhance nutrient absorption, and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Enhanced Natural Resistance to Disease and Pests
Silicon, a key component of wollastonite, strengthens plant cell walls, making crops more resistant to pests and fungal infections. Research shows that silicon-enriched soils lead to stronger, healthier plants with better natural defenses.
Long-Lasting Soil pH Stability
Unlike traditional lime, which requires frequent application, wollastonite provides a sustained liming effect over multiple growing seasons. This slow-release alkalinity keeps soil conditions stable for longer, improving nutrient uptake and cutting lime costs.
Carbon Capture and Climate Benefits
Wollastonite permanently removes CO₂ from the atmosphere via a natural process called enhanced rock weathering (ERW), supporting global climate goals while benefiting farm operations.
Nutrient Breakdown of Wollastonite
| Nutrient | Symbol | Content (%) | |
| Macronutrients | Calcium | CaO | 24.6 |
| Silicon | SiO2 | 59.2 | |
| Magnesium | MgO | 5.76 | |
| Major Nutrients | Sulphur | SO3 | 1.6 |
| Potassium | K2O | 0.9 | |
| Iron | Fe2O3 | 2.6 | |
| Sodium | NaO | 1.8 | |
| Micronutrients | Manganese | MnO | 0.05 |
Applying Wollastonite
Wollastonite is typically applied 2–4 tonnes per acre and is suitable for a wide variety of soil types. Applied with a lime spreader, wollastonite can be applied at anytime of the year when soil conditions are favourable.
What is Enhanced Rock Weathering?
Enhanced rock weathering is a proven carbon removal approach that accelerates the natural weathering process of silicate minerals like wollastonite. This process:
- Permanently removes CO₂ from the air
- Improves soil structure and fertility
- Enhances long-term agricultural resilience
By applying finely crushed wollastonite to farmland, farmers actively contribute to climate solutions while improving their soil.
The Canadian Wollastonite & UNDO Farmer Program
Canadian Wollastonite and UNDO Team in front of a mound of wollastonite.JPG
Alongside the Kingston rebate, the UNDO Farmer Program provides wollastonite at no cost aside from trucking expenses.
How the Program Works
- Eligibility Check – Farmers within 150 km of Seeley’s Bay with soil pH levels between 6-7 are ideal candidates. Some flexibility may apply.
- Agree on Spreading Area – A minimum of 80 tonnes (covering 20-40 acres) is preferred, with application rates ranging from 2-4 tonnes per acre.
- Material Supply and Spreading – Canadian Wollastonite provides and spreads the material at no charge; farmers only cover trucking costs.
- Apply for the Kingston Rebate – Eligible farmers submit trucking receipts to claim $5 per tonne in transportation rebates.
- Long-Term Benefits – Farmers see stronger crops, healthier soils, and reduced reliance on synthetic inputs over multiple seasons.
Making Wollastonite More Accessible for Farmers
Spreading crushed wollastonite on local farm land.JPG
The Kingston Wollastonite Trucking Rebate and UNDO Farmer Program are designed to make wollastonite a cost-effective, practical solution for Ontario farmers. These programs support:
- Healthier, more resilient soils
- Lower input costs and reduced lime dependence
- Stronger, more productive crop yields
- Carbon removal through ERW
With funding available on a limited basis, farmers are encouraged to apply early to secure their rebate before funds run out. Now is the time to invest in long-term soil health and sustainability.
For more details on the Kingston rebate or the Canadian Wollastonite and UNDO Farmer Program, contact UNDO today:
