The Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) – Living Labs program aims to establish a strong, Canada-wide network of regional collaborations. Each living lab brings together producers, scientists, and other sectoral stakeholders to co-develop and test innovative technologies and on-farm practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon in real-world conditions.
Drawing on the same approach to collaborative innovation as the previous Living Laboratories Initiative (2018 to 2023), farmers and farm groups will be at the centre of decision making, innovation and on-farm activities at each living lab.
With support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), work will take place directly on farms and enable Canadian farmers to participate in the decision making, innovation and research. Their participation, experiences and knowledge sharing will help accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable, environmentally friendly on-farm practices and technologies to tackle climate change. In addition to the economic benefits of adopting those practices on their farms, action now will help farmers reduce risks over the longer term from extreme weather, such as flooding and drought.
The program will also support knowledge transfer to other farmers so they can deploy solutions tailored to their region and promote environmental sustainability and resiliency in the agriculture sector.
ACS – Living Labs announced in 2022
AAFC announced 9 new living labs under the ACS program in July 2022.
| Living Lab | Lead partner |
|---|---|
| Living Lab – British Columbia | British Columbia Investment Agriculture Foundation |
| Living Lab – Peace Region | Peace Region Forage Seed Association |
| Living Lab – Alberta Agri-Systems | Alberta Beef Producers |
| Living Lab – Regenerative Alberta | Alberta Conservation Association |
| Living Lab – Bridge to Land Water Sky | Mistawasis Nêhiyawak |
| Living Lab – Central Prairies | South of the Divide Conservation Action Program Inc. |
| Living Lab – New Brunswick | Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick |
| Living Lab – Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture |
| Living Lab – Newfoundland and Labrador | Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture |
Learn more about the focus of each living lab.
Grant recipients (phase 1) 2022
The grant phase (phase 1) of the 2022-23 funding cycle closed on June 20, 2022. Its purpose was to support organizations in building capacity, developing networks of participants, and drafting comprehensive project proposals that will be submitted for Phase 2 contribution funding and collaborative research and development support, which was launched in September 2022. Phase 1 was an optional grant of up to $100,000 that could be requested by eligible recipients who wished to apply for Phase 2 funding and support.
Please note that having received grant funding is not a requirement for consideration, nor does it guarantee approval, under the contribution phase application process. All applications will be evaluated according to the same criteria.
Successful grant recipients
| Recipient organization | AAFC funding | Location |
|---|---|---|
| East Prince Agri-Environment Association | $100,000 | Prince Edward Island |
| Eastern Townships Forest Research Trust | $87,200 | Quebec |
| Les producteurs de lait du Québec | $100,000 | Quebec |
| L'Union des producteurs agricoles | $62,033 | Quebec |
| Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association | $89,000 | Ontario |
| The Ontario Woodlot Association | $100,000 | Ontario |
| Manitoba Association of Watersheds | $100,000 | Manitoba |