Fields, vineyards, orchards, and ranches could soon see their greenhouse gas emissions plummet thanks to unprecedented support from the federal government.
Monday s 2021 federal budget announced about $270 million in funding over two years to help farmers transition to climate-friendly practices. More than two-thirds of that is to support farmers transitioning to better nitrogen fertilizer and livestock management practices. The remainder is earmarked to help farmers power their farms with clean energy, and to protect trees and wetlands on arable land.
“This is one of the largest investments we’ve ever seen made in agriculture, and certainly the most significant when it comes to direct investment,” said Karen Ross, director of Farmers for Climate Solutions, a coalition of farmer organizations pushing to make farms more sustainable. “With this investment, we’re set to adopt practices even this season that will jump-start emissions reductions in our sector.”