Syngenta Canada and the Soil Conservation Council of Canada partner to expand Operation Pollinator program on-farm in Western Canada

Operation Pollinator, a Syngenta program focused on research and partnerships to promote the health and well-being of bees and other pollinators given their essential role in agriculture and nature, is expanding its footprint in Western Canada through a multi-year partnership with the Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC).

Through the partnership, farmers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta can sign-up to establish Operation Pollinator sites on their farms. SCCC is collaborating with three provincial partners to deliver the program in each of the Prairie provinces -- the Agriculture Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA), Manitoba Conservation Districts Association (MCDA) and the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association (SSCA).

To enroll in the program, producers agree to convert one-to-two acres of lower-productivity land to establish a dedicated Operation Pollinator site. In exchange for dedicating the land, participating producers receive a provision of high-quality, pollinator-friendly wildflower seed, agronomic advice, and assistance to help offset site establishment costs.

The goal of the program is to establish and maintain new pollinator-friendly habitat over the long term, study and learn from these sites, and enhance biodiversity for the benefit of the larger Prairie ecosystem.

Farmers wishing to sign up can visit the SCCC website (www.soilcc.ca) where they will find details regarding participation in the program.

"We are excited about working with the Soil Conservation Council of Canada to expand the on-farm footprint of Operation Pollinator in Western Canada,” says Dr. Paul Hoekstra, Senior Stewardship and Policy Manager with Syngenta Canada. “We have and continue to see benefits from Operation Pollinator activities,” Hoekstra adds, noting that information gathered from Operation Pollinator sites confirms their positive contribution to the diversity and abundance of pollinators.

“Soil Conservation Council of Canada is privileged to be working with Syngenta in the delivery of Operation Pollinator in Canada,” says Jim Tokarchuk, Executive Director. “Their strong support anchors this effort and our network of Prairie partners will ensure this program will benefit farmers and the land they steward on behalf of all of society. This is strong fit with our organization’s mandate.”