Spending cuts close organic research program, sparking concern for farming sustainability
A federal organic and regenerative farming research program in Saskatchewan has been shut down due to government spending cuts, raising concerns among organic farmers and advocates. The program, which studied sustainable practices like intercropping and cover cropping, was a key resource for organic farmers seeking to improve yields and soil health. Experts and farmers warn the closure may place organic agriculture at a competitive disadvantage and hinder long-term sustainability and economic growth.
- ▪The Organic and Regenerative Research Program in Saskatchewan was closed on April 1 as part of federal spending cuts by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
- ▪The program was led by Dr. Myriam Fernandez and focused on sustainable practices such as intercropping, living mulch, and soil-covering crops.
- ▪Organic farmers like Allison Squires and organizations such as the Organic Federation of Canada say the closure threatens research continuity and sector competitiveness.
- ▪In 2024, Canadians spent nearly $10-billion on organic products, with organic food and beverage sales reaching $7.77-billion.
- ▪Jury Gualandris, a regenerative agriculture professor at Western University, called the program's closure counterintuitive given rising demand for organic goods.
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Open this photo in gallery:Allison Squires, left, and Cody Straza work in thermal compost piles on their Saskatchewan organic farm, Upland Organics.Shawn Fulton/SuppliedShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountAllison Squires spends her day working in fields of lentils, wheat and chickpeas on her organic farm in Wood Mountain, Sask. But with the recent closing of a one-of-a-kind federal research program, she worries the knowledge that helped grow her crops will be lost in the weeds.The Organic and Regenerative Research Program in Saskatchewan conducted field research on organic and regenerative farming strategies.
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