The Canada and Manitoba governments have invested more than $880,000 in environmentally-focused projects to improve and protect Manitoba's landscape in partnership with conservation districts and farmers, Federal Agriculture Minister, Lawrence MacAulay, and Manitoba Agriculture Minister, Ralph Eichler, announced today.

"The Government of Canada is proud to partner with Manitoba Agriculture, conservation districts and farmers to support environmental practices to increase productivity and profitability in the agriculture sector and reduce negative impacts on the environment. Investments in initiatives like these not only support long-term prosperity for our farmers, but help improve the health of our ecosystems for future generations."

- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Improving environmental sustainability on farms and in partnership with conservation districts will create long-term benefits for all Manitobans. We are creating a legacy for the next generation, by recognizing the important role that conservation districts, farmers and other land managers have related to environmental stewardship. These programs create opportunities to enhance how we protect the land and water, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

- Ralph Eichler, Minister of Manitoba Agriculture

"Having the support from both the provincial and federal government in this program is the key piece that will ensure the success of these environmental improvement projects being completed in Manitoba. We are proud to be the front-line delivery agent for Ecological Goods and Services projects, together with farmers on the landscape. The conservation districts feel the way to successfully manage all things - from soil health to mitigation of floods and droughts - is through the farmland within our province."

- Arnold Coutts, Chair of the Manitoba Conservation District Association

• The federal and provincial governments are investing $176 million in Manitoba under Growing Forward 2, a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial policy framework to advance the agriculture industry, helping producers and processors become more innovative and competitive in world markets.

• Growing Assurance – Ecological Goods and Services provides funds to conservation districts to work with farmers to conserve and enhance the landscape.

• Growing Assurance – Ecological Goods and Services provided more than $883,000 to the following conservation districts:

  - Whitemud Watershed Conservation District;
  - Pembina Valley Conservation District;
  - West Souris River Conservation District;
  - Intermountain Conservation District;
  - Turtle Mountain Conservation District;
  - Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District;
  - Kelsey Conservation District;
  - East Interlake Conservation District; and
  - Assiniboine Hills Conservation District

Associated Links

• Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• Growing Forward 2 (Manitoba Agriculture)
• Manitoba Conservation Districts Association

Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059

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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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Kalen Qually
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ralph Eichler
204-945-0590
kalen.qually@leg.gov.mb.ca