The Fédération de l’UPA de la Montérégie highlighted the efforts of farmers who have committed to improve the environment over a five-year period by participating in the ALUS Montérégie program.
A total of 46 farmers, including 32 who recently joined the program, shared in $87,235 of financial compensation for their work to implement sustainable practices on their farms – practices that generate ecosystem services, such as erosion control, flood and drought mitigation, carbon sequestration, and the creation of habitat and wildlife habitats.
Several local farmers were rewarded for their work in this context, including Alain Proust of the Jardin Composé in Hemmingford, Roger Normandeau of the Ferme Normandeau Inc. in Saint-Étienne-de-Beauharnois, Maxime Verner of the Ferme Roch Verner et fils Inc. in Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka, and Marie-Claude DeMartin of Les Ferme AJIRO Inc. in Godmanchester.
In addition to these new projects, a total of 20 producers renewed their conservation agreements made in 2018 for five more years, including Valerie Furcall of Ormstown. These farmers shared a total of $42,238 in compensation for their continued efforts.
In 2023, the program allowed 37.5 hectares of agricultural land to be developed for the creation of ecosystem services.
The program is now recruiting new Montérégie farmers to help the environment by making improvements to their land. Those interested are invited to apply via the UPA Montérégie website. (SR)