Challenging the Agri-Food Paradigm: Voices of the Farmer (Virtual)
Canadian Agriculture is responsible for nearly 10% of all national greenhouse gas emissions, making it a major contributor to climate change. Shifting from predominant industrial farming models to more sustainable, regenerative agricultural practices is key to reducing negative climate and biodiversity impacts, while enhancing resilience and reducing the need for expensive inputs. However, many producers view this transition as too risky, with a lack of clear incentives coupled with upfront costs and possibly reduced yields in the near term. Understanding these challenges and the opportunities to enable farmers to make this transition is fundamental to building a net-zero and climate-resilient agriculture sector in Canada.
You will hear directly from three Canadian farmers who have made the transition to regenerative practices and integrated sustainability into their operations at various points in their farming journeys. We will hear their stories on why they decided to make the change, how they navigated the journey, the challenges and opportunities they encountered along the way, and what they see as the key enablers for all producers to follow this path. The session will also shed light on opportunities for policy makers, investors, and other actors in the value chain to support farmers through the transition to regenerative farming.