(File photo/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday Oct. 11, 2023

Oct 11, 2023 | 12:35 PM

A group of leaders in the agriculture and food industries have started a national organization to work toward achieving net zero in Canada’s agri-food sector by 2050.

The Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food includes companies such as RBC, Loblaw and Maple Leaf Foods, as well as organizations like the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute.

In a news release, it stated emissions could reach 196 million tonnes by 2050, representing 19 per cent of Canada’s total emissions.

The alliance’s first two initiatives are focused on advancing climate-smart agriculture and growing a national network to produce biogas.

David Hughes, CEO of non-profit The Natural Step Canada said Canada is primed to become a ‘global beacon of sustainable agriculture.’

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The alliance said it’s aiming to advance technology, policy, infrastructure and funding needed to help the agri-food sector work toward net zero.

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A campaign intended to raise mental health awareness and honour the memories of those in the agriculture community was launched Tuesday.

Participants are encouraged to invite others along for a walk, share their stories and foster community connections.

Chris Manley, founder of the Walk With Me campaign and a beef and sheep farmer in England, initiated the campaign as a response to managing his own depression.

Do More Agriculture encouraged participants to get involved in the campaign that continues until Oct. 20.

Participants are encouraged to walk and talk with a friend in person or over the phone, use the hashtag #WalkWithMe and tag @domoreag online to share the experience on social media.

You can also honour others by sharing stories of those who have lost someone to mental illness.

Donations can also be made at the Do More Ag Foundation’s website.

BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions will match donations up to $10,000 to the Walk With Me campaign.

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4-H Alberta has partnered with Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and Local Alberta Co-ops to introduce a new Membership Program.

A key component of the partnership will be the creation of the inaugural CO-OP Growing Leaders Program. It’s designed to remove barriers and provide easy access for youth who may have been curious about 4-H Alberta but have never enrolled in a local club.

4-H Alberta CEO Kurt Kinnear said he is excited about the possibilities that come with the new partnership and the opportunity to work with a like-minded community partner who values and supports Alberta’s youth.

“What a great way to facilitate the engagement and empowerment of youth in Alberta,” Kinnear said. “FCL and the participating Co-ops understand and appreciate the importance of our young members who will become the future leaders in our communities.”

Participating in the Growing Leaders Program are Arrowwood Co-op, Pembina West Co-op at Barrhead, Central Alberta Co-op at Red Deer, Pincher Creek Co-op, Cornerstone Co-op at Vermilion, and Westview Co-op at Olds.

The $50,000 sponsorship from FCL puts it in the Gold Clover sponsorship category.

Each year, 4-H Alberta supports 5,500 youth who participate in close to 300 clubs across the province.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW