Beneficial Management Practices for a New Living Lab Project
Several farm groups and commodity organizations across Ontario are participating in discussions to create a five-year funding proposal to Agriculture and Agri-food Canada’s (AAFC’s) Agricultural Climate Solutions – Living Labs Program.
Through the Living Lab, farmers, researchers, and other industry stakeholders will jointly develop solutions to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon (C) sequestration that are suitable for various farming systems, localities, and regions. A living lab is a chance for everyday farm conditions to influence research. Your experience and expertise as a producer and/or industry advisor is valuable to advancing agricultural research. Collaboration between traditional science and (your) boots on the ground will help to answer questions and improve practices that will apply to your operation. You can learn more about the current Living Lab through the Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association or AAFC websites.
The proposal is being led by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. To date, the following organizations are involved in developing and supporting the proposed project:
- the County of Wellington
- Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO)
- Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO)
- Grain Farmers of Ontario
- Ontario Pork
- Sheep Farmers of Ontario
Other organizations are also exploring the opportunity to participate in this innovative initiative.
To ensure that the proposal reflects the needs of farmers in Ontario, we require your feedback. We want to hear which BMPs you are most interested in adopting, and what you want to learn more about before you adopt new BMPs.
We will use the findings from the survey to help narrow the focus of the project and set research priorities. We want to identify the BMPs that will both be practical for farmers and help to meet climate action goals (e.g., reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase soil carbon sequestration).
We understand it is a busy time of year but are working within AAFC deadlines. The survey is anonymous and should take no more than 10 minutes of your time. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/67GFYYX We appreciate your feedback!
For more information, please contact:
Tracey Ryan (tryan@ontariosoilcrop.org)
Applied Research Coordinator
Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association