GOC announces up to $182.7 million for On-Farm Climate Action Fund

On Feb. 22, to support farmers in their efforts to tackle climate change, 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). 

“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,” Bibeau said in an official statement. “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.”

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.
• 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.

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. 

“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,” Drouin said. “Together, we are helping producers reduce emissions, while working hard to reach our collective target of net zero by 2050.” 

Activities supported through the fund are expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 2 million tonnes by 2024. 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.