MARS
PROGRAM

Our Marginal Areas Rehabilitation in Saskatchewan program can help you find a solution to your unproductive areas.

APPLICATIONS FOR 2025 ARE ON HOLD

The M.A.R.S Program is funded by Ducks Unlimited Canada. Due to uncertainties with Ducks Unlimited's funding in the United States, this program is on hold for the time being.

ABOUT MARS

SaskSoil’s MARS (Marginal Areas Rehabilitation in Saskatchewan) program is designed for producers who want to get smarter—not just bigger—with their acres. It supports the conversion of low-performing or marginal cropland into perennial forage, helping you increase profits while farming fewer acres.

Why keep throwing seed, time, and inputs at acres that just won’t pay you back? Instead, use those acres to:

Improve your bottom line with up to $100/acre in funding
Reduce pressure from herbicide-resistant weeds
Improve soil structure and health
Boost biodiversity and pollinator habitat
Create natural buffer zones that help with clubroot management and meet label compliance
Reclaim your time and resources for your more productive land

It's more than conservation - it’s strategic farming that pays.

HOW IT WORKS

Apply – While 2025 applications are currently on hold, interested producers can email MARS@sasksoil.ca for more information and future intake updates.
Eligibility – Land must fall within the designated area shown on the MARS eligibility map below. If it’s outside, your quarter must have at least 7 basins or 20 acres of wetlands—or receive special approval.
Convert Marginal Land – Eligible acres are seeded to perennial forage and committed to a 10-year term.
Get Paid – You’ll receive $100/acre of eligible land. If you choose to break the forage early, a prorated repayment applies based on the years remaining.

MARS Map

GET STARTED

Ready to Farm Smarter, Not Harder?

MARS is an opportunity to shift underperforming acres from a liability to a long-term asset. You’ll improve field performance, help your farm's soil recover, and support pollinators and wildlife—all while making your operation more efficient and profitable.