Financial incentives help Canadian farmers adopt sustainable farming practices

How growers are getting the support they need to switch to regenerative agriculture

Things are changing at Riverview Farms, the Hartland, NB, farm owned and operated by Shawn Paget.

Riverview is one of more than 65 New Brunswick farms that grows potatoes destined to be turned into French fries, hash browns, potato patties, Smiles and other potato products for McCain Foods. And thanks to training and support provided by the company, Mr. Paget, a third-generation farmer, is adopting regenerative farming practices that are saving money – and building soil health.

Growers like Mr. Paget are up against increasing challenges, from climate change to input costs and regulatory uncertainty. Mr. Paget describes that by switching over to regenerative agriculture practices, he’s been able to reduce the use of fertilizer and reduce tillage on his crops. This has not only led to improved yields and quality but with McCain’s help, Mr. Paget has been able to reduce his costs and labour, which has made Riverview more sustainable. These methods are not only efficient and profitable, but are also reducing the farm’s carbon footprint.

“It really reduces our stress levels, which makes things easier for my family,” Mr. Paget says.

Regenerative agriculture is an ecosystem-based approach to farming that increases farm resilience by enhancing soil health, protecting biodiversity, and improving and reducing dependency on synthetic materials. The goal? To mitigate on-farm climate impact, minimize carbon emissions, build soil health and resilience, and improve the quality and yield of the potato crop.

“Our roots are on the farm, and that is where our heart remains,” says Charlie Angelakos, vice president of global external affairs and sustainability for McCain.

That commitment to the farm is why the company has partnered with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) to introduce a program that offers a scale of increasing incentives as farmers move up McCain’s Regenerative Agriculture Framework, which is “essentially our roadmap guiding the progression to regenerative farming,” says Mr. Angelakos.