Ottawa-Government programs to support nature and food production need a rethinking to make them work in harmony rather than be an annoyance to farmers, says the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI)

Agricultural landscapes are complex living systems where the health of nature and the success of farming are deeply intertwined, CAPI says in a report.

“This reality stands in stark contrast to a policy environment that often treats conservation and food production as separate goals. The result is a disconnect often felt on the farm, where programs meant to support environmental stewardship are sometimes perceived as complex, untrustworthy and misaligned with economic realities.”

The report’s suggestion came from a workshop CAPI conducted with Ducks Unlimited Canada in Manitoba this past summer for representatives from industry, government, farm groups, land-use experts and conservation organizations.

Despite strong national policies and high producer interest in conservation, the current programs suffer from a fundamental misalignment between top-down program design and the bottom-up, trust-based and profit-driven decision-making that defines modern agriculture.

The government should work with farm groups to build a coherent, systems-based approach that places farmers at the centre.

The current complex patchwork of programs needs to be replaced with one that strategically guides investment and aligns with the realities of farming, CAPI said.

While conservation should be practical and profitable, participation is often limited by programs that are overly complex, unprofitable or disconnected from the operational needs of farmers.

Local organizations should be in charge of the programs to simplify the process, increase participation and strengthen or rebuild working relationships.

Environmental outcomes should be rewarded, not just practices. Shifting to an outcome-based model would position stewardship as a viable and profitable business choice for farmers.

Farmers should have ownership and control of their data. “This is a foundational step to address the trust deficit and ensure farmers benefit from the value their on-farm information creates.”

Only about 7 per cent of producers say they are very familiar with available conservation programs, CAPI said. Roughly one‑third have ever taken part in at least one program. Just 4 per cent cite government payments as a top factor in land-use decisions while 63 per cent rank soil health as their leading environmental priority.

For future programs, different interpretations of conservation or sustainability create confusion about goals. Practices that also improve farm performance, like soil health or water retention, are more likely to last. Sector specific support such as cattle grazing infrastructure tends to achieve higher uptake than uniform national models.

Uniform models and complex rules often do not fit the diversity of Canadian farms. Concerns about ownership, privacy, and regulatory use of farm data limit participation.

Programs should be adapted to farm type, scale, and regional needs, CAPI said. “Focus on practices that add real value and reward outcomes. Start with a baseline and track a few key indicators. Support farmer-centred models that protect privacy and add value.”

This news report prepared for National Newswatch