Help for farmers affected by wildfire and drought

Aug 08, 2023

The agricultural community in Alberta received a beacon of hope as the AgriStability program announced its reopening. This program helps farmers who face sudden losses, and was reopened for those hit by recent wildfires and severe drought.

Farmers in Alberta have until September 29 to take advantage of AgriStability. This decision, an outcome of the joint efforts of the Government of Alberta and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, acknowledges the tough times that the farming community has been enduring.

Especially since many had missed the initial April 30 enrollment cut-off. This extended deadline is more than just a date – it offers farmers a chance to better evaluate and strategize against the business risks posed by these natural calamities.

AgriStability provides compensation of 80 cents per dollar for margin declines beyond 30%, a jump from the earlier 70 cents.

So, what is AgriStability? At its core, it's a safety net for Canadian farmers, protecting them from drastic income drops, whether due to reduced production, soaring costs, or tumultuous market scenarios.

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is the body overseeing the program. Sustainable CAP is the combined commitment of federal, provincial, and territorial governments towards a prosperous and sustainable agricultural future.

RJ Sigurdson, Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation expressed the government's understanding of the challenges faced by farmers. “Our farmers and ranchers, battling wildfires and drought, deserve support. The late AgriStability entry allows them a chance to secure their operations and future,” he said.

Joining the program doesn't just offer protection – it also opens doors to other financial avenues. One such option is the federal Advanced Payments Program, known for its affordable cash advances.

Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, commended Alberta's producers for their tenacity amidst adversities. Highlighting the importance of programs like AgriStability, he stated,

“It's imperative for farmers to have ample time to make informed decisions, ensuring their business's well-being.”

Video: From Conventional to Regenerative: Will Groeneveld’s Journey Back to the Land

"You realize you've got a pretty finite number of years to do this. If you ever want to try something new, you better do it."

That mindset helped Will Groeneveld take a bold turn on his Alberta grain farm. A lifelong farmer, Will had never heard of regenerative agriculture until 2018, when he attended a seminar by Kevin Elmy that shifted his worldview. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a deep exploration of how biology—not just chemistry—shapes the health of our soils, crops and ecosystems.

In this video, Will candidly reflects on his family’s farming history, how the operation evolved from a traditional mixed farm to grain-only, and how the desire to improve the land pushed him to invite livestock back into the rotation—without owning a single cow.

Today, through creative partnerships and a commitment to the five principles of regenerative agriculture, Will is reintroducing diversity, building soil health and extending living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible. Whether it’s through intercropping, zero tillage (which he’s practiced since the 1980s) or managing forage for visiting cattle, Will’s approach is a testament to continuous learning and a willingness to challenge old norms.

Will is a participant in the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL), a social innovation process bringing together producers, researchers, retailers and others to co-create a resilient regenerative agriculture system in Alberta. His story highlights both the potential and humility required to farm with nature, not against it.