Team Members
Rodney Reid
Climate Change Manager/ ACS NL Team Lead
Rodney Reid is a dedicated farmer specializing in beekeeping, lamb production, and other agricultural services. He serves as the project lead for the Agricultural Climate Solutions NL team under the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture (NLFA).
Reid also leads two key initiatives: the NL Living Lab (NLLL) and the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF-NL), both of which emphasize beneficial management practices (BMPs). With an extensive understanding of the unique challenges faced by agriculture in Newfoundland and Labrador, he has contributed to several commodity boards at both provincial and national levels.
As ACS NL team lead, Rodney and his team collaborate closely with project partners and stakeholders to ensure that research-based BMP insights are effectively communicated. He actively supports engaging the farming community in implementing climate-friendly BMPs that enhance carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Krishna Kaja
OFCAF Technical Manager / ACS NL
Krishna Kaja is the Technical Manager for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF–NL). With a background in agronomy and biosystems engineering, Krishna brings over a decade of experience in crop research, precision agriculture, and sustainable farm management. He has previously led large-scale field trials at Syngenta and McCain Foods, implemented drone-based monitoring, and secured external research funding. In his current role, Krishna oversees the technical delivery of OFCAF–NL, supporting the adoption of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) such as cover cropping, rotational grazing, and nitrogen management in the province.
Krishna is a Professional agrologist and passionate about helping producers adopt climate-smart practices that improve productivity and environmental sustainability, and he looks forward to supporting Newfoundland and Labrador’s farming community in building a more resilient agricultural future.
Tyler Buckle
Engagement Coordinator / ACS NL
Tyler Buckle is the Engagement Coordinator for Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS), where he facilitates producer access to climate-smart Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) through the Living Lab approach—co-developing and testing solutions directly on farms. He also supports outreach for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF), promoting practical BMPs in areas such as nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing. As part of his role, Tyler leads communications and engagement efforts—including digital outreach, web content, and event coordination—to support knowledge sharing across the agricultural sector.
With over ten years of experience in business development and community-based research, Tyler brings a strong foundation in partnership-building and applied innovation. His past work includes co-founding a Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) cooperative, which evolved into a leading research hub in Northern Canada.
James Tarrant
Communications Coordinator / Blogs, Newsletter and more
James Tarrant serves as the ACS Communications Coordinator. He will work for the OFCAF and Living Labs programs. As a long-time journalist who has worked in the newspaper, broadcast, and magazine media industry for over 20 years in Labrador and Western Canada media outlets, he understands great storytelling and how important it is to educate readers on the impacts of climate change.
Tarrant also brings public relations strategy and digital marketing knowledge to the position. He looks forward to working with staff, farmers, researchers, and scientists to tell the many positive Newfoundland and Labrador stories about ACS, Living Labs, and the OFCAF funding programs.
Lisa White
Administrative Assistant / ACS NL
Lisa White serves as the ACS Administrative Assistant, where she offers support for the OFCAF and Living Labs program. She is exceptionally organized and detail-focused boasting over 14 years of experience in the Insurance sector, proficient at assisting clients and teams in dynamic settings.
Her expertise includes overseeing office operations, organizing and maintaining files and records, and enhancing communication among departments. Recognized for her excellent interpersonal skills, Lisa fosters positive relationships with both clients and colleagues.
Lisa is committed to cultivating a constructive work atmosphere and is devoted to delivering outstanding support to guarantee her team's success.
Shelly Bailey
Programs Clerk / ACS NL
Shelly Bailey is a dedicated Programs Clerk with more than 15 years of progressive experience supporting office operations, program delivery, and financial processes. A graduate in Office Administration and Accounting, she brings a well-rounded skill set that spans document management, budget tracking, client relations, and cross-departmental coordination. Over the course of her career, Shelly has developed a reputation for meticulous attention to detail, efficient workflow design, and a commitment to excellence in every task she undertakes.
Our Journey
Collaboration and Growth
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) is a multi-stream program including Living Labs and the On-Farm Climate Action Fund, that will help to develop and implement farming practices to tackle climate change. By developing, evaluating, adopting, and surveying agricultural technologies and practices, ACS is focused on sequestering carbon, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and delivering environmental benefits.
NLFA consulted with producers about what particular climate change beneficial management practices (BMPs) they require more research on, etc. A collaborative process with other partners led to securing core funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and an investment of cash and in-kind resources from the partners.
NL Living Lab (NLLL) was a first for the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture (NLFA) in administering a project for farmers that would create regional data to support the research of on-farm BMPs.
The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF-NL) is the next journey for the NLFA and has expanding the offering for our provincial farmers. OFCAF-NL will support farmers with adopting proven BMPs.