The Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CANZA) has launched its Million Acre Challenge Program and it comes with some benefits for local farmers.
“The new Million Acre Challenge Program provides farmers with cost-sharing and agronomic supports to adopt practical, proven methods that improve soil health, water quality, and reduce emissions,” the information page said.
The idea is to mitigate the risks involved with purchasing modern equipment or technologies which in-turn promotes sustainable farming; these technologies make land-use more efficient and protects and maintains healthy soil.
Aaron Breimer is an agronomist based in Chatham, and has been a certified crop advisor for over 20 years, Breimer said this program is a great mission to enhance production and reduce emissions.
According to the program’s outline the costs of these investments made by farmers or crop advisors will be shared with CANZA and payments will occur twice a year over the three-year study period.
One payment will be made after an approved crop plan and another payment after validation of the climate-smart practices being used on the farm.
Breimer said the risks are endless on a farm, partly due to fuel and fertilizer prices for example, so providing a financial cushion will be very beneficial for farmers.
One farmer out of Gorrie, Ont., has allotted 600 acres of his total 6,300 acre plot for the study.
Bob Bennett, director of the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association, operates a large farmstead with cattle and swine, and they also grow corn, beans and wheat on rotation.
Bennett said farmers are always looking for ways to improve their operation and reduce costs; the Million Acre Challenge can partly cover the cost of a regulated urea fertilizer sprayer for efficient coverage.
Breimer said maintaining soil health is one of the most important aspects of operating a successful farm.
He has clients across Ontario, some of which participating in the Million Acre Challenge, that have to pay close attention to soil health because of changes in harvesting practices.
Bennett said the study will determine how farmers can get more use out of existing land which is critical due to a volatile market.
Agricarbon carries out soil organic carbon testing at the farm of Bob Bennett near Gorrie, Ontario, on May 5, 2026. | Photo by James Wood/CANZA
He said the farmer’s land is the farmer’s livelihood.
Breimer has also noticed a recent shift in the ag industry to a more scientific approach; more and more farmers are assessing and utilizing their land based on scientific research.
Breimer, like Bennett, said farmers are always trying to adopt more efficient and sustainable practices to reduce operation costs, which aligns with CANZA’s objectives of this program.
CANZA aims to assess 365,000 acres of farmland across the nation over the next five years and there are currently around 30 farmers participating which represent roughly 15,000 acres.
Any farmer interested in the program is asked to reach out via email to mac@canza.ca
