Nature United Expands Model Farm Network to Manitoba, Building Momentum for Sustainable Agriculture Across the Prairies
Nature United, in collaboration with Collective Impact, is expanding its Model Farm Network with the launch of a second cohort of farms in southwestern Manitoba for the 2026 growing season. Building on the success of the first network in in the Melfort-Humboldt-Yorkton area of Saskatchewan, this next phase reflects growing interest from producers and partners to advance practical, on-farm solutions for sustainable agriculture.
The Model Farm Network puts farmers at the center of sustainable practice adoption by supporting them to test and adopt practices that can improve soil health, strengthen farm profitability and reduce environmental impact.
“I’m involved in the Model Farm Network because I know these practices are better for the land and for the long-term resilience of our farm, but there are real barriers in agriculture — especially around time, risk and uncertainty — that can make sustainable practices hard to adopt, even when farmers want to,” says Dakota Odgers, producer and participant in Nature United’s first Model Farm Network cohort.
Odgers adds, “Being part of this network connects you with other producers who are willing to share what’s working and what isn’t, and that kind of learning takes the pressure off because you don’t have to do everything in one year when you’re learning together.”
For the next five years up to ten farms will participate in the Manitoba network, each working directly with agronomic advisors to design and implement sustainability plans tailored to their local conditions. These farms will serve as test sites, helping producers learn from one another while generating real-world insights into what practices work across different parts of the Aspen Parkland — a highly productive agricultural region that spans 17 million hectares across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This region is mainly in the Black Soil Zone, which has high value crops including canola, wheat, oats and pulses, along with soils that can hold vast amounts of carbon with significant implications for climate change mitigation.
“Last year’s network showed what’s possible when farmers are supported to explore new approaches on their own land,” says Les Fuller, Agriculture Strategy Director at Nature United. “By expanding into Manitoba, we’re building on that momentum, supporting more producers, testing more region-specific practices and continuing to demonstrate that sustainable agriculture can deliver real benefits for farmers, communities and the environment.”
Launched in 2025, the first Model Farm Network in Saskatchewan brought together producers to trial sustainable practices on commercial farmland, supported by financial incentives and technical expertise. As highlighted in Nature United’s 2021 Natural Climate Solutions study, specific agricultural practices represent nearly half of Canada’s total Natural Climate Solution opportunity and can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening the health of soils, water systems and wildlife habitat. The strong interest and early participation in that network has helped set the stage for this expansion, which reflects Nature United’s broader strategy to support farmer-led solutions that deliver these outcomes while keeping farms productive and resilient.
Working directly with the producers involved in the network has allowed us to see the positive changes they have been able to make and to experience firsthand the momentum the Model Farm Network is creating for sustainable agriculture in Saskatchewan — and now Manitoba.
The Manitoba network will further strengthen this approach by reflecting the diverse soils, climate conditions and farming systems found across the Aspen Parkland, one of Canada’s most productive agricultural regions. By tailoring practices to local realities, the program aims to accelerate adoption and build confidence among producers considering similar changes.
Nature United and Collective Impact will continue to work closely with participating farmers to co-develop and implement sustainability plans, providing ongoing technical guidance, data tracking and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
"Being able to expand into Manitoba is an exciting next step for the Model Farm Network, and our collaboration with Nature United has been central to making that growth possible. Working directly with the producers involved in the network has allowed us to see the positive changes they have been able to make and to experience firsthand the momentum the Model Farm Network is creating for sustainable agriculture in Saskatchewan — and now Manitoba,” says Derek Squair, Co-founder & Business Development Lead. “At Collective Impact, we understand that the adoption of new practices requires a producer-focused approach. That shared commitment, with partners like Nature United, to meeting producers where they are is what has made, and will continue to make, the Model Farm Network so successful for everyone involved.”
This expansion is part of a national movement with farmers supported by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) as part of their investments in supporting the next generation of agriculture. Nature United is working with RBC, Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C) and the Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agriculture to help Canadian producers thrive while advancing sustainable practices for years to come.
Nature United was founded as a Canadian charity in 2014, building on decades of conservation in Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, our organization has field staff located across the country. Nature United supports Indigenous leadership, sustainable economic development and science and large-scale conservation, primarily in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Manitoba. Our organization is also working to accelerate Natural Climate Solutions at national and regional scales. To learn more, visit natureunited.ca or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
We are the Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organization with more than a million members and a diverse team that includes more than 1,000 scientists. Our global organization works in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. To learn more, visit nature.org.