Governments of Canada and Manitoba Announce over $1.9 Million Distributed to Support Sustainable Farming in Manitoba

(July 31, 2023 Joint Federal/Provincial Government News Release) The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing over $1.9 million in funding under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to 54 projects supporting sustainable farming in Manitoba through the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP), federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced.

“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,” said MacAulay. “Support for sustainable farming projects through these programs helps producers take a leadership role in shaping the future of Manitoba’s resilient agriculture sector.”

“Manitoba farmers know that the success of their business depends on good stewardship of the land,” said Johnson. “We are proud to support them as they work to maintain and restore grasslands and wetlands on agricultural lands. This work isn’t just beneficial to the farmers; it contributes to the environmental and economic benefit to all Manitobans.”

There are two streams of funding provided through the RALP: Watershed Resilience and Carbon Sequestration and Grassland Resilience that support on-farm management practices and projects that sequester carbon and improve sustainability through grassland management and agroforestry practices, such as maintaining and restoring grasslands and wetlands.

The watershed resilience stream provides funding to watershed districts to collaborate with farmers to implement projects on agroforestry, grasslands and grazing management, natural upland area enhancement and rejuvenation, riparian area enhancement, water retention and runoff management, and wetland restoration and enhancement.

Selected watershed districts received up to $100,000 per project at 100 per cent of the total approved eligible costs and projects will be complete within 18 months. Farmers are encouraged to contact their local watershed districts to inquire about any potential programming that may be available.

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 to support on-farm projects that increase the productivity of grasslands that support a strong and viable livestock industry in Manitoba. These projects enhance valuable ecological goods and services and provide mitigation and adaptation practices to support producers in a changing climate.

Selected applicants received a maximum of $15,000 per project at 75 per cent of the total approved eligible costs and projects will be complete within 18 months.

"We would like to thank the province for their confidence in watershed districts’ ability to successfully deliver programs like RALP, and for recognizing that the watershed district program is an effective method for water and land management throughout the province,” said Garry Wasylowski, chair, Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW). “Watershed districts are committed to educating communities on the importance of land management and continued on page 19