Farmers for Climate Solutions

Climate change is impacting humans everywhere. After 2024, likely to be the hottest year in recorded human history, it becomes increasingly difficult to deny the reality of it. It is estimated that agricultural activities in Canada represent at least 10% of national greenhouse gas emissions. 

Nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide are the three principal greenhouse gases from agriculture. Nitrous oxide is produced by nitrogen fertilizer use and manure nitrogen from livestock. Over time these farm animals have become more productive, eat more and produce more manure.  Agricultural methane emissions are also primarily from beef and dairy cattle. Carbon dioxide emissions from agriculture have increased over time because of an increase in the use of certain fertilizers and soil amendments.  

Image: Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Pathways   
Source: Agriculture Canada 

This may look like it is just a conventional farmer problem, but it’s not. While certified organic farming occupies less than 3% of agricultural land in Canada (3.8 million acres in 2023) and these farmers are acutely aware of soil health, organic cows still belch methane, and manure has to be handled appropriately. Many organic farmers use fossil-fuel powered equipment (tractors, produce delivery vehicles, etc.) and many still struggle in adopting soil tillage practices that don’t cause loss of soil carbon. 

Thus, although all farming is part of the problem, it can also become part of the solution. In 2021 agricultural soils stored approximately 26% of Canada’s total annual agricultural emissions. It is estimated that proper soil management would, by itself, substantially reduce the global greenhouse gases problem. While efforts on many other fronts are necessary for Canada to get to net zero emissions by 2050, the present government goal, the potential role for agriculture in this battle led a group of concerned farmers to launch Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS) in 2020.  

Farmers for Climate Solutions is a Canada-wide farmer and rancher led coalition that helps farmers make the transition to a low emission, high resilience form of agriculture. It employs a farmer-led task force of farmers and related scientists who work together to promote solutions grounded in on-farm experience. It also presents policy proposals to Canadian governments to better support farmers in the face of climate change.  

The organic farming movement has been an integral part of FCS from the beginning. Canadian Organic Growers is an active member and has prepared training materials for FCS. Many other FCS member organizations represent organic and/or regenerative agriculture across Canada. The current president of the FCS Board of Directors is Brent Preston, a certified organic farmer from Ontario. 

Image: Demonstrating the benefits of cover crops
Credits:  CBC 

The founders of FCS realized that farmers could help the climate in multiple ways.  

Better pasture management can promote soil carbon storage, less tillage can reduce soil carbon loss and increasing soil cover through the use of perennial or cover crops can both reduce soil loss from erosion and increase carbon capture. 

These practices were seen as a win-win for farmers concerned about climate change. Not only would they help reduce emissions, they would also make farms more resilient to the increasing frequency of droughts, flooding, and other extreme weather events. 

By tapping into the federal “On-Farm Climate Action Fund”, FCS was able to develop the Farm Resilience Mentorship (FaRM) Program. The program focuses on three practices: cover cropping, advanced pasture management and nitrogen management. 

Image: Benefits of Rotational Livestock Grazing
Source: Environmental and Energy Studies Institute 

The FaRM program offers help for farmers in adopting these practices through: 

• Free online resources. This internet-based material can be customized to fit your learning style and schedule. You can watch videos, complete workbooks and read the course material on your own time. 
• Mentorship. You get free access to knowledgeable and experienced farmer mentors who can answer questions on these climate-friendly practices. 
• Networking. You can join online discussion groups and attend on-farm field days, meeting with other innovative farmers, resulting in mutual learning. 

Check out what Farmers for Climate Solutions has to offer at  

Farm Resilience Mentorship — Farmers for Climate Solutions.  

It’s insightful, it’s fun and it’s free. 

@The Food for Thought team