Government of Canada announces up to $182.7 million to partner organizations to help farmers lower emissions and improve resiliency to climate change

From: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

News release

February 22, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Canadian farmers are key players in building a healthy environment and a more sustainable agriculture sector in Canada. Today, to support farmers in their efforts to tackle climate change, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, along with Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, announced federal funding of up to $182.7 million for 12 recipient organizations to deliver the On-Farm Climate Action Fund across Canada.

The recipient organizations include ALUS Canada, B.C. Investment Agriculture Foundation, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association, Canola Council of Canada, ECOCERT Canada, Manitoba Association of Watersheds, New Brunswick Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc., Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture, Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) and L’Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA).

Direct support to farmers will fall under these target areas:

  • Cover cropping: for example, payment-per-acre to cover adoption or related costs such as seeds and equipment. Cover crops are plants, like clover and alfalfa, that are planted to cover the soil rather than for the purpose of being harvested.
  • Nitrogen management: for example, agronomic services to develop farm-specific nutrient management plans, equipment modifications for fertilizer application in fields, and soil sampling and analysis.
  • Rotational grazing: for example, agronomic services to develop grazing management plans, interior cross fencing, water system infrastructure, legume and forage seeds. Rotational grazing is the practice of containing and moving livestock through pasture to allow forage plants to recover, deepen their root systems and improve soil health.

Recipient organizations across the country will redistribute funding through individual application intakes. The Fund will help address barriers to wider adoption, including up-front implementation costs, lack of risk protection, minimal or delayed returns on investment and limited availability of information and agronomic services. Farmers across Canada are encouraged to use the On-Farm Climate Action Fund Web Tool for Farmers to determine which recipient organization best serves their geographic area and needs.

Activities supported through the Fund are expected to reduce GHG emissions by up to 2 million tonnes by 2024. Together with Canadians and communities, the Government of Canada is taking real action to fight climate change and build a strong, prosperous future for everyone. Canada’s agriculture sector currently accounts for 10 percent of Canada’s GHG emissions and has the potential to play a key role in reducing national GHG emissions and improving climate resiliency.

The Government of Canada is focused on working as a partner for Canadian producers as they help Canada meet its national emissions reduction targets, protect the environment, and strengthen the competitiveness of our agricultural businesses and economy. 

Quotes

“The fight against climate change is not only about reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, but also helping farmers to innovate and adopt more sustainable farming practices. We will continue to do what is necessary to protect our environment and provide farmers with the support needed to make their operations more sustainable for future generations. The On-Farm Climate Action Fund builds on the work already underway by our Government to lower greenhouse gas emissions and help improve long-term climate resiliency in the agriculture sector.”

-   The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food  

“Our Government has partnered with 12 organizations across the country to deliver funding directly to local farmers who are ready to take action and build climate resilience. Together, we are helping producers reduce emissions, while working hard to reach our collective target of net zero by 2050.”

-   Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell

Quick facts

  • First announced in Budget 2021, the On-Farm Climate Action Fund is an initiative to help farmers tackle climate change. It is part of the Government of Canada's Agricultural Climate Solutions initiative, which falls under the $4 billion Natural Climate Solutions Fund, an initiative managed by Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. 

  • The On-Farm Climate Action Fund supports the government’s strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and towards net-zero emissions by 2050.

  • Projects and final funding are subject to negotiation of a contribution agreement.

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced $550 million in federal investments to support the development and adoption of clean technologies and beneficial management practices. In addition to the ACS – On-Farm Climate Action Fund, recent programs have been launched to help address environmental issues, including the $185-million Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) – Living Labs program to support carbon sequestration and GHG emission reduction and the $165.7-million Agricultural Clean Technology Program to support research, development and adoption of clean technologies. 

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Contacts

Marianne Dandurand
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
marianne.dandurand@agr.gc.ca
343-541-9229

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
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