CANZA’s Million Acre Challenge Program has officially started issuing payments for participating farmers and crop advisors.

The Million Acre Challenge is aimed at reducing the start-up and risk costs of practices that reduce farmers’ carbon emissions, keep soil intact, and conserve water.

The program also creates a significant opportunity for impact-oriented investors, including government and corporations within the agri-food value chain, to participate in the development of a robust, results-focused initiative.

Participating farmers will begin implementing practices in spring 2026, and cost share payments are officially underway as of the end of March.

“As supply chains face increasing pressure to deliver low-emissions products, farmers take on much of the upfront cost and risk of adopting climate-smart practices,” said Ashley Honsberger, Interim Executive Director of CANZA.

“The Million Acre Challenge is helping to reduce those risks and share costs, while supporting farmers with innovating and finding climate-smart solutions that work for them on their farms.”

The program is currently focused on farms in southern Ontario, with the goal of building out to 365,000 acres involved in the next five years. Currently, around 30 farmers are signed up to participate in the first cohort representing around 15,000 acres.

Cost-share payments will occur twice a year for participating farmers and their supporting crop advisors, with one payment after we receive an approved crop plan and another payment after validation of the climate-smart practices being used on-farm.

Over the three-year timeframe of the program, a total of six payments will be made, allowing for longer support than many other one-year programs.

Participating farmers are able to start their climate-smart practices when it works best for their operations.

“We are thrilled and honoured to begin directly supporting farmers as we roll out the very first Million Acre Challenge cost-share payments,” said Samantha Lyon, Farm Enablement Lead with CANZA.

“Being a part of this process has been rewarding, and we’re excited to keep supporting climate-smart agriculture through the future of the program.”

Published: 2026-05-19