Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program Supports Sustainable Farming
Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, and Manitoba Minister of Agriculture, Derek Johnson, announced that the governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing over $1.9 million in funding through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) for 54 projects aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices in Manitoba.
The projects are part of the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP).
Two Streams of Funding for Sustainable Farming
RALP offers two streams of funding: Watershed Resilience and Carbon Sequestration and Grassland Resilience. These funding streams support on-farm management practices and projects that sequester carbon, enhancing sustainability through grassland management and agroforestry practices, including maintaining and restoring grasslands and wetlands.
Watershed Resilience Stream: Promoting Collaborative Projects
The Watershed Resilience stream provides funding to watershed districts to collaborate with farmers on implementing various projects. These projects include agroforestry, grasslands, and grazing management, enhancing and rejuvenating natural upland areas, improving riparian areas, managing water retention and runoff, and restoring and enhancing wetlands.
Selected watershed districts will receive up to $100,000 per project, covering 100% of the total approved eligible costs. The projects will be completed within 18 months. Farmers are encouraged to reach out to their local watershed districts to inquire about available programming.
Carbon Sequestration and Grassland Resilience Stream: Boosting Livestock Industry
The Carbon Sequestration and Grassland Resilience stream provides funding to community pastures, Agricultural Crown Land forage leaseholders, Indigenous farmers and communities, and farmers outside of watershed district boundaries.
The projects aim to increase the productivity of grasslands, supporting a strong and viable livestock industry in Manitoba. These projects enhance ecological goods and services while providing mitigation and adaptation practices to support producers in a changing climate.
Selected applicants will receive a maximum of $15,000 per project, covering 75% of the total approved eligible costs. Projects will be completed within 18 months.
Focus on Environmental Resilience
Projects under RALP were evaluated based on their potential to enhance the environmental resilience of agricultural landscapes through practices that increase environmental benefits, including improving soil and water quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing stream-bank degradation, enhancing nutrient and water retention, and improving biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
Advancing Manitoba’s Agricultural Commitments
Minister Johnson highlighted that projects under RALP align with Manitoba’s commitments to improve the productivity of Agricultural Crown Lands, promote improved soil health, and implement on-the-ground actions outlined in Manitoba’s Protein Strategy and Water Management Strategy.
These projects will further enhance the province’s sustainable farming practices and contribute to its environmental and agricultural goals.
“As good stewards of the land, Manitoba producers are prepared to embrace new, proactive on-farm projects that help mitigate the effects of climate change. Support for sustainable farming projects through these programs helps producers take a leadership role in shaping the future of Manitoba’s resilient agriculture sector.”
– The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“Manitoba farmers know the success of their business depends on good stewardship of the land. We are proud to support them as they work to maintain and restore grasslands and wetlands on agricultural lands. This work is not just beneficial to the farmers; it contributes to the environmental and economic benefit to all Manitobans.”
– Derek Johnson, Manitoba Minister of Agriculture
Sources: THX News & Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
