RBC Donates $20,000 to Jumpstart Local Net Zero Farms Pilot Project

RBC has donated $20,000 to Net Zero Farms for a new pilot project that will assist farmers in incorporating sustainable practices into their operations at Woodleigh Farms on Thursday afternoon.

Representatives from RBC cut the ribbon to represent the launch of the Net Zero Farms Pilot Project alongside non-profits GreenUP and Farms at Work. Pictured from left to right:  RBC Community Manager Karalee Murray, Green Economy Peterborough Net Zero Farms Program Coordinator Natasha Sheward, GreenUP Director of Programs Natalie Stephenson, GreenUP Executive Director Tegan Moss, Green Economy Peterborough Hub Coordinator Jackie Donaldson, RBC Relationship Manager for Business Markets Deanna Baker, Farms at Work Executive Director Heather Ray, RBC Relationship Manager for Agriculture & Agri-Business Specialist Scott McCaig. Photo courtesy of GreenUp.

The program coaches business leaders in the agriculture sector to measure their greenhouse gas emissions, set reduction targets, further understand their role in sequestering carbon and develop a plan for reducing their impact on the environment, all while sharing experiences and the greater community according to a press release.
 
“We know farmers like to learn from farmers. We’re thrilled to be developing this networking piece to help support their sustainable practices, and to develop a culture where farmers don’t feel alone in their efforts to become more environmentally friendly,” says Heather Ray, Farms at Work executive director. “Farm-to-farm engagement and mentoring is essential for an agricultural business looking to adapt to a changing climate.”
 
The Net Zero Farms pilot seeks to support up to 10 farms in their efforts to take climate action while building local capacity within the greater agricultural community, as stated by GreenUp.
  
“Measuring greenhouse gas sources in agriculture is different from measuring the emissions of a downtown retail store,” says Natasha Sheward, Net Zero Farms program coordinator. “We want to include all of the relevant aspects of this sector within our GHG measurement in order to ensure relevance and accuracy. This will provide insight and opportunity for our farmers to identify actions that will reduce their costs and increase their resilience.”

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