Feds approve nine Living Labs to involve ag producers in reducing greenhouse gases
Global News
"Across Canada, farmers are on the front lines of climate change and Alberta is no exception," Bibeau said Thursday at a news conference in Calgary.
The federal government has expanded a program to include the agricultural sector in coming up with solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has announced the creation of nine new Living Labs across the country, including in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador at a cost of $54 million.
Each lab, which brings together farmers and scientists, will focus on identifying innovative technologies and on-farm management practices that can be adopted by farmers countrywide to tackle climate change.
“Across Canada, farmers are on the front lines of climate change and Alberta is no exception,” Bibeau said Thursday at a news conference in Calgary.
“It’s a made-in-Canada approach that gets research out of the lab and onto real working farms. Together, they develop and test practices and technology that help a farmer protect the environment and grow the business.”
Alberta Beef Producers is managing one of two projects approved in Alberta.
It intends to explore the use of beef, forage and cropping systems to improve carbon storage and reducing emissions. It is expected to look at crop rotations, changes in land use, grazing techniques, livestock and nutrient management.
“Agriculture producers do absolutely recognize the importance of our continued efforts to improve carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate aspects of climate change while ensuring farms remain competitive, profitable and especially sustainable for future generations,” said Melanie Wowk, the group’s chair.
