Agricultural Sustainability Initiative

The Agricultural Sustainability Initiative (ASI) is delivered through Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. The program provides funding to Manitoba producer groups and provincial commodity organizations to conduct demonstrations or technology transfer projects on environmentally sustainable agriculture practices throughout the province. The goal of the ASI program is to improve the health of agricultural ecosystems in Manitoba by encouraging adoption of these sustainable agriculture practices.

 

Priority areas eligible for funding under the Program are:

• Sustainable Forage/Livestock Management;
• Sustainable Crop Management; and
• Integrated Pest Management.

Under these priorities, emphasis will be placed on projects directly related to the following emerging agri-environmental issues:

• water quality issues relating to agricultural production;
• ecological goods and services;
• increasing efficiency of cropping systems.

 

Who can apply for funding?

Manitoba producer groups and provincial commodity organizations may apply for ASI funding.
Applicants must:

• have an interest in agricultural sustainability
• be legal groups representing farmers in their geographic areas
• identify partnership funding and in-kind contributions from other partners
  
  

What are the criteria for ASI funding?

ASI funding is available for projects that are:

• built on partnership, particularly between producers, government and industry
• proposed by local producer groups seeking local solutions to issues of local concern
• proposed by provincial industry bodies seeking sector-wide solutions
  
  

Why types of activities does ASI support?

• Applied investigation of demonstration projects

These projects improve sustainable farming practices, such as introduction of new crops, field-scale testing of equipment, or diagnostic plots to measure crop nutrition or pest control.

• Transfer or sharing of technology and information

These projects include extension services and demonstration of proven management methods and technology. Activities could include workshops and field days for producers, news releases and articles, newsletters or technical bulletins on activities and projects and publication of industry guidelines.

• Economic Analysis

These projects measure the economic impact or merit of projects, commodities, practices and systems.

 

For more information about the Agricultural Sustainability Initiative program contact:

Kim Wolfe
Agricultural Sustainability Initiative Program Coordinator
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
PO Box 1240, 810 Philips Street
Portage la Prairie, MB  R1N 3J9
T (204) 871-4373
F (204) 239-3180
Or visit a Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives GO Office.