Leading Harvest will run a pilot of its third-party audited Farmland Management Standard in Canada with an official launch happening by the end of 2023, an Aug. 29 news release said.
“Leading Harvest is a game-changer. The organization has demonstrated certification can be applied across all crop types, geographies, and management systems to provide assurance that operations are well rooted in best practices, while ensuring a commitment to robust management and continuous improvement, Oliver Williams, global head of agricultural investments at Manulife Investment Management and board member for Leading Harvest, said in the release.
Leading Harvest is a non-profit organization that provides transparent standards and education to enable and validate the global transition to a more sustainable agricultural system, the release said. Its Farmland Management Standard has been applied across diverse farming operations and crop types globally with almost three million acres enrolled currently.
“With our Canadian pilot, Leading Harvest continues to demonstrate that alignment across the value chain can drive greater outcomes for all. We appreciate the leadership of our Canadian pilot participants and look forward to welcoming more food and agriculture leaders from across Canada on this journey,” Kenny Fahey, president and CEO of Leading Harvest, said in the release.
The Leading Harvest Canada pilot program has been facilitated with Anchoring Support from Manulife Investment Management and support from Bonnefield Financial, Farm Credit Canada, and McCain Foods, the release noted. It will adapt the same Farmland Management Standard that was implemented in the United States and Australia.
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