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Building Sustainable Farms: How the Trusted Advisor Partnership is Empowering Canada's Agronomists

Courtesy: Sustainable Food Lab
Courtesy: Sustainable Food Lab

The Trusted Advisor Partnership (TAP) is expanding its innovative soil health and regenerative agriculture training into Canada’s Manitoba and Saskatchewan provinces, marking a significant milestone for sustainable agriculture in North America. Originally launched in North Dakota in 2022, TAP is a program designed to upskill Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) with cutting-edge soil health knowledge, enabling them to support farmers in adopting sustainable practices. This Canadian expansion, scheduled for early 2025, comes at a time when the global demand for regenerative agriculture is intensifying, driven by the need to enhance farm resilience and protect ecosystems from threats such as erosion, extreme weather, and pest pressures.


TAP’s Canadian Expansion


The Canadian Prairies, particularly Manitoba and Saskatchewan, are key agricultural regions that face challenges like soil degradation, labor shortages, and climate-related pressures. The expansion of TAP to this region will address the technical assistance gap by equipping CCAs with advanced knowledge in soil management, water stewardship, and diversified cropping systems. This program, backed by major agrifood companies such as General Mills, PepsiCo, and Bimbo Canada, alongside conservation nonprofit Nature United and Saskatchewan-based South East Research Farm, aims to train over 225 agronomists by 2029. These agronomists will, in turn, help over 500 farmers transition to regenerative practices across thousands of acres.


The curriculum for TAP in Canada will cover essential areas like residue management, variable rate technology, zone mapping, and tillage reduction, reflecting a blend of traditional and high-tech agricultural practices. Hosted by Assiniboine College in Brandon, Manitoba, the program will offer both online and in-person components, with participants earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The training is designed to provide CCAs with the practical tools and peer networks necessary to help farmers make the shift to sustainable agriculture.


The Role of Agrifood Corporations


TAP’s expansion into Canada is not just a standalone effort but part of a broader strategy to foster sustainability across the global food supply chain. Companies like General Mills, PepsiCo, and Bimbo Canada have recognized the importance of soil health for long-term agricultural productivity. By supporting TAP, these corporations aim to promote regenerative agriculture practices that reduce their environmental footprint, especially regarding Scope 3 emissions—those generated indirectly across the supply chain.


These companies play a critical role not only in providing financial support but also in helping to create site-specific training modules for different regions. The "Learning Journeys" organized by TAP bring together agronomists, farmers, and corporate partners to exchange insights and foster collaboration. These events are designed to encourage deeper engagement with sustainability initiatives and demonstrate to corporate stakeholders the real-world impact of regenerative practices.


TAP’s Broader Impact


The Canadian launch builds on TAP’s success in North Dakota, where over 30 agronomists have already completed the program. The North Dakota initiative focuses on empowering CCAs to help farmers overcome the logistical challenges of implementing soil health practices. By involving trusted advisors—individuals who farmers already rely on for critical decision-making—TAP ensures that the transition to sustainable farming practices is less risky and more accessible.


In the United States, TAP’s impact has been significant, with farmers in regions like the Red River Basin adopting more sustainable methods on large tracts of land. The program’s emphasis on practical, site-specific advice has been crucial in regions that face unique environmental challenges, such as variable weather patterns and soil types. The model has proven effective in helping farmers maintain long-term sustainability, while also addressing economic pressures.


Global Context and Other Soil Health Programs


TAP is part of a larger global movement towards regenerative agriculture and improved soil health. Around the world, similar initiatives are taking root, from Australia to Europe and Latin America. For instance, in Australia, AgriFutures focuses on sustainable soil management to improve the resilience of agricultural landscapes, while in the European Union, programs like "4 per 1000" encourage farmers to adopt practices that increase soil carbon sequestration. These efforts are all aimed at combating the detrimental effects of soil degradation, which threatens global food security.


In addition, the Soil Health Partnership (SHP) in the U.S. works with farmers and CCAs to develop and implement science-based soil health strategies, using a research-driven approach to validate the benefits of cover crops, reduced tillage, and crop rotation. Such programs complement the efforts of TAP by providing further scientific backing to the role of healthy soils in enhancing farm productivity and mitigating climate change.


Conclusion


The expansion of the Trusted Advisor Partnership into Canada’s Manitoba and Saskatchewan provinces represents a crucial step forward in the global effort to promote regenerative agriculture. With the support of major agrifood companies and conservation organizations, TAP aims to equip CCAs with the necessary skills to help farmers adopt sustainable practices, thereby ensuring the long-term health of both agricultural lands and ecosystems. As soil health becomes an increasingly critical issue worldwide, TAP’s efforts, alongside other soil health programs, will play a pivotal role in transforming how we manage the world’s agricultural resources.

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