Become a member of Farmers for Climate Solutions!

 

Are you a farmer-led or farmer-supporting organization who sees agriculture as part of the solution to climate change?

Does your organization want to collaborate on advancing agricultural policies and programming that support farmers to reduce emissions and build resilience in the face of climate change?

If your answer is “yes”, we welcome your application to join our coalition!

Testimonials

“The most important potential impact of Farmers for Climate Solutions is changing the viewpoint that farmers are victims of climate change and for us to see ourselves as valuable actors and for us to see this work as a positive way to move the sector forward."

– Arzeena Hamir, Owner, Amara Farm, BC

“I think the most important potential impact of Farmers for Climate Solutions is making agriculture part of the solution to mitigating climate change. I think it is going to be hugely important in helping Canada and the world quite frankly in reaching the targets that we have to reach by 2030 and 2050. No real change has happened without big policy changes, like smoking or seatbelts or women voting. This doesn't happen by just trying to encourage people to do the right thing. This happens with policy change and incentives to change."

– Gillian Flies, President, Canadian Organic Growers

“Ultimately what we want to see is an interest in greenhouse gas issues, measurement, and ongoing learning within the core heart of the agricultural community. We want to bring the greenhouse gas constraint to the production system in a way that it becomes part of everyday discussion and farm meetings. It has to change the conversation in a way that recognizes that agriculture currently has practices that are problematic, which is not accepted widely and accept the view that the change is not only necessary, but it's very possible."

– Ian McCreary, Owner Operator, McCreary Land and Livestock, SK

“We all recognize that we need policy change. The fact that Farmers for Climate Solutions is doing it on a federal level is going to have implications for us at the provincial level. Being a part of something bigger, knowing that there are other players out there, it gives our farmers in Alberta a larger platform and it gives us a bit of pride out here.”

– Derek Leahy, Director, Rural Routes to Climate Solutions

“The most valuable thing so far about being involved in Farmers for Climate Solutions is the discussion and linking with other associations that I wouldn't have the opportunity to link with. We have closed the divide on some varying ideas of how Canadian agriculture can and should function and we are coming together with some more parallel thought processes. The second most valuable part was the opportunity to engage with my peers in the social and economic sciences as well as the earth sciences through the technical advisory committee. That's been hugely valuable for me."

– Cedric MacLeod, Executive Director, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association

"What has been most valuable for Young Agrarians about being involved in Farmers for Climate Solutions is having a national group of organizations that are working at the federal policy level because I work at the provincial level. It makes me feel like I don't have to figure out how to crack all the nuts.

We run five programs and we're all about program implementation and supporting people on the ground. So it's great to have something like Farmers for Climate Solutions and people who are paid to coordinate a federal coalition focused on climate adaptation on farms, which is so important to the future of our food systems."

– Sara Dent, Executive Director, Young Agrarians

“Farmers for Climate Solutions has given EFAO a vehicle to carry out the government relations and policy work that our organization has wanted to do but hasn't had the experience or the means to do it. There was a real recognition among the members that all of our individual goals as farmers would be better served if we were helping to promote ecological farming practices outside of our small communities.

So, when Farmers for Climate Solutions came along, we jumped on board because it allowed us to do those things that we had wanted to do for a while."

- Brent Preston, President, Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario

FARMERS FOR CLIMATE SOLUTIONS (FCS) GOVERNANCE

The Board of Directors (previously known as the Governing Body) provides strategic direction and governs FCS. Our permanent Working Groups are composed of coalition members and farmers that offer expertise and capacity in our streams of work. They include the Farmer Engagement Working Group, Policy Working Group, Provincial Government Relations Working Group, and the Communications Working Group.


HOW WE DEVELOP OUR POLICY AND PROGRAM PROPOSALS

To develop policy and program proposals, FCS employs a unique “task force” model, where farmers and interdisciplinary experts work together to develop agricultural climate policy recommendations. Task forces are chaired by farmers, and are composed of subject-matter experts from academic institutions and relevant organizations across Canada. In this way, we ensure that all our policy proposals are evidence-based, backed by scientific research, and grounded in on-farm experience. Our task forces are temporarily formed to focus on specific research projects or policy development opportunities.

ELIGIBILITY

To be a member of FCS an organization must:

  • Be committed to policies and programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase resilience, and improve farmer livelihoods.

  • Represent, work with, or act in support of Canadian farmers and ranchers.

  • Be a non-profit, NGO, or charity in Canada.

  • Be in substantial agreement with the policy framework and positions of FCS.

  • Be open to working in collaboration with other FCS coalition members, and show a willingness to work through differences to find alignment.

  • Have the capacity to contribute to FCS work.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Organizations who wish to join Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS) are asked to review the FCS Governance Structures to assess their eligibility and interest in joining the coalition. Please email coalition@farmersforclimatesolutions.ca to request this document. 

 We also ask that you answer the following questions in a letter of motivation: 

  • What is your mission?

  • Are you led by farmers? If so, please describe how. 

  • How are you registered? (i.e. nonprofit, charity, NGO, etc)

  • Do you have members?

  • What is your general motivation for joining FCS?

  • What expertise, experience or perspective do you bring to the coalition?

Your letter of motivation will be reviewed by FCS’ Board of Directors (previously known as the Governing Body), who oversees coalition membership.

Following review and approval from the Board of Directors, new members receive a formal letter of invitation and the onboarding process begins. This process includes an orientation meeting with FCS staff, a welcome package, a new member survey, and other resources.

There is no cost to join the coalition.

If your organization is interested in joining Farmers for Climate Solutions or if you have any questions, please email coalition@farmersforclimatesolutions. Our team looks forward to meeting with you to learn more about your organization.

Cover photo: Ferme Croque-Saisons in Lingwick, Quebec. Photo by: Family farmers Network