Grainswest - Spring 2023

Spring 2023 Grains West 24 FEATURE “ALUS is not looking to compete with agriculture,” said Englot. “In order for a project to be successful, it needs to fit the individual farming operation. Projects often take place in marginal rather than highly productive spaces, or in areas that are difficult to navigate with large farm equipment. We encourage farmers to look at ecosystem services as something with economic value: a financial reward for services that coexist with agriculture.” Rather than operating as a stand- alone, ALUS works to integrate its projects with those of its partners, said Englot. “We’re offering another tool in the toolbox; a grassroots option to help address environmental targets, but that works in conjunction with existing policy, with federal, provincial and local programs and with other groups.” THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES MARKETPLACE The environmental goods and services marketplace is comprised of sellers— farmers, in this case—and buyers. In its fifth year, the ALUS New Acre Project allows corporations to offset landscape impacts with the purchase of environmental goods and services outcomes by the acre. “New Acre Project is the vehicle we use to achieve the selling of the environmental goods and services product,” said Gilvesy. Corporate interest continues to grow, driven by demand from investors and customers, he added. “Several corporations have come in the door because New Acre Project is delivered by farmers in their communities, it offers real outcomes and it rewards farmers for the production of all ecosystem services, not just carbon sequestration. It becomes a uniquely powerful tool for corporations that want to do more than just offset their carbon footprint.” Cargill, A&W, General Mills and Danone have announced New Acre projects. In fall of 2022, ALUS also rolled out a similar program targeted to small through medium-sized businesses looking to offset their environmental footprints. While corporate commitment is important, ALUS derives funding from multiple sources. In the spring of 2022, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) committed $5 million to the organization for its continued growth as well as to build capacity to quantify and validate its work. SDTC’s mission is to fund and foster Canadian companies that develop and commercialize new Canadian technologies with the potential to create environment benefits and economic prosperity. The SDTC endorses the importance of farmer-led environmental solutions, said Gilvesy. “We believe their due diligence process has indicated, yes, ALUS can provide these sorts of solutions for Canadians.” Most of all, he added, ALUS recognizes the value of farmer-led ecological stewardship. “For years on the farm we felt not included in conversations about land stewardship and the environment. Rather, we felt that people were talking down to us. This is farmers like me standing up and saying, ‘We’ve got something to offer, and we can make a difference.’” In fall 2022, staff members of the national conservation organization met in southern Saskatchewan at the ALUS WUQWATR project site, which encompasses the Wascana and Upper Qu’Appelle watersheds. The national charitable organization is led by farmers. Photo:CourtesyofALUS