Climate change guide released
The Climate and Biodiversity Friendly Production Practices Resource Guide was recently released by Birds Canada, the Saskatchewan Forage Council, the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association, the Saskatchewan Soil Health and Grazing Summit, and A&W.
The partnership developed the guide to conserve Canadian prairie to sustain bird life, biodiversity, and the ranching tradition.
Nearly 60 percent of Canada’s grassland birds have disappeared since 1970 due to the loss of habitat.
Most of the remaining grasslands in Canada are privately owned by livestock producers.
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The new guide will connect producers and landowners with resources and information for implementing those management practices, and includes resources for several practices:
- Managing for carbon sequestration and climate resilience.
- Managing for biodiversity and species at risk range management.
- Native forage establishment and seed sources funding for conservation and stewardship.
- Contact information for experts on the above topics.
The guide can be downloaded from birdscanada.org/grasslands.
BCAITC celebrates 30 years
The British Columbia Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation is celebrating 30 years this year.
The program reaches more than half a million students in classrooms in all regions of the province.
The organization’s delivery, culinary, and growing programs have expanded over the years. Programs such as the B.C. School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program, +Milk, take a Bite of B.C., Spuds in Tubs, Planting a Promise, Harvest Bin Project, Fresh to You Fundraiser, and Ag Adventures have become mainstays in B.C. schools. As well, the summer Institute program and professional workshops provide agriculture literacy education for teachers.
Agriculture resources such as lessons, videos, recipes, and activities can be downloaded at www.bcaitc.ca.
Organic grants planned
The federal government is investing $297,330 for the Prairie Organic Development Fund to assist farmers adopt best practices in organic farming production.
The funding will be matched by industry, bringing the investment to $594,660 over two years.
The money will help the fund deliver its Canada Organic Ingredient Strategy, which transfers specialized skills, knowledge and best practices to existing organic farmers and those interested in adopting more organic production methods.
Business extension tools and skills development will be offered to farmers across Canada through producer conferences, webinars, podcasts, online agronomic tools and training to support the adoption of organic best practices.
More information is available at organicdevelopmentfund.org.
B.C. farmers markets receive gov’t support
The federal and British Columbia governments have introduced the B.C. Farmers’ Market Expansion Program to help ensure farmers markets can stay open and operate during emergencies to ensure communities throughout the province have continued access to food.
Both levels of government will help cover the costs to expand local food and beverage sales.
The one-time, cost-shared, reimbursement-based program is providing $475,000, with up to $15,000 available for each eligible applicant.
Farmers markets can use the funding for signs and merchandising, storage and transportation, and power and operations costs.
Eligible applicants include non-profit groups, co-operatives, for-profit corporations, local governments and First Nations that operate a farmers market that primarily sells B.C. food and beverage products.
A farmers market must have been in operation for at least one year (established before November 2020) or operated in the summer 2021 season to be eligible.
Applications will be accepted until Jan. 28 at noon on a first-come, first-served basis or until available funding has been committed.
To apply, visit surveymonkey.com/r/fmexpansion.
Organic scholarship deadline extended
The application deadline for the SaskOrganics’ Education Scholarship is extended to Jan. 31.
One $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a Saskatchewan resident already enrolled in postsecondary education in an agriculture related field of study.
The scholarship has been made possible through a donation from the North West Saskatchewan Organic Producer Group.
Preference will be given to applicants from certified organic operations.
For more information, contact Marla Carlson at 306-535-3456.
