News Sustainability
Manitoba Métis Foundation receives funding for sustainable farming adoption

On July 4, Dan Vandal, minister of northern affairs and minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor, announced a total investment of up to $7.7 million for the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF).

“Ensuring Indigenous communities have equal access to the tools to adopt sustainable farming practices will help address food insecurity across Canada,” said Vandal in a press release. “With support through the On-Farm Climate Action Fund, the Manitoba Métis Federation will deliver funds directly to local farmers who are ready to take action and build climate resilience.

“Funding through the Local Food Infrastructure Fund also serves to strengthen and support the local food system for the Red River Métis over the long term.”

Through the On-Farm Climate Action Fund, MMF will receive up to $7.2 million to help Red River Métis farmers adopt sustainable farming practices that help build climate change resilience, support carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This project will allow MMF to provide direct financial support to its citizen farmers in the adoption of beneficial management practices in the areas of nitrogen management, cover cropping and rotational grazing. MMF will offer specialized agriculture consultants to help with planning, data collection, implementing, and reporting of results. Additionally, with plans to deliver peer-to-peer learning opportunities between Elders, Traditional Knowledge Holders and Red River Métis producers, it is expected that the level of adoption of these practices will increase greatly.

MMF will also receive up to $500,000 under the fourth phase of the Local Food Infrastructure Fund. Project activities include purchasing a refrigerated trailer, greenhouses, fruit trees and shrubs for food forests, pollinator gardens and raised garden beds. This project will allow MMF to increase availability of locally grown food for community members. Additional production solutions will serve to enhance the distribution of healthy food across the seven Manitoba Métis Federation regions.

“Red River Métis Citizen across our Homeland are embracing sustainable farming practices and taking steps to address food insecurity,” said David Chartrand, MMF president, in a press release. “[This] funding announcement will allow the MMF to support Red River Métis farmers, ranchers, and producers to make even more smart changes and do their part to build climate resilience, support carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase the availability of locally grown foods. Each of these actions will ensure our Citizens remain responsible stewards of the land for generations to come.”