Today’s Federal Budget brought us good news as farmers begin preparing for the upcoming growing season: Ottawa will invest $200 million in new funding over two years to support farmers to reduce emissions by improving nitrogen management, increasing adoption of cover cropping, and normalizing rotational grazing. In addition, the government has allocated $60 million over the next two years to protect existing trees and wetlands on farms, and $10 million over the next two years to power farms with clean energy. The funding announced in the budget responds directly to the priorities outlines by the farmer-led Task Force behind Farmers for Climate Solutions’ Budget 2021 Recommendation Report. The two farmers co-chairs shared this:
Ian McCreary, Grain and livestock farmer, McCreary Land & Livestock Ltd., SK
Ian McCreary says: “Our national and international customers want us to grow food more sustainably, and with only nine seasons left to achieve Canada’s 2030 target under the Paris Agreement, this investment will support farmers across the country to scale-up practices that are proven to reduce our sector’s emissions. Climate change poses the single largest threat to our sector, and this investment is an imperative for our ongoing success.”
Arzeena Hami, Vegetable farmer, Amara Farm, BC
Arzeena Hamir says: “As the weather becomes more unpredictable because of climate change, farmers’ jobs get harder, our margins get tighter, and our livelihoods become more vulnerable. This investment enables farmers to do our part to reduce emissions and to build resilience into our businesses. We applaud the government for recognizing that we can’t do this alone but that we are ready to with this kind of support.”
Innovative farmers across Canada have already started implementing these climate-friendly practices, and this investment will help scale these up from fence post to fence post and enable other farmers to adopt them for the first time.