Newfoundland and Labrador's New Agricultural Climate Solutions Team

Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture Expands Agricultural Climate Solutions Staff to Tackle Climate Change  

A good team is essential for tackling climate change and assisting farmers in becoming more environmentally sustainable. The Agricultural Climate Solutions team in Newfoundland and Labrador welcomed three new members to its staff recently, and more positions will be added in the coming months.  

New Role 

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 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. 

Tyler Buckle serves as the Living Labs Coordinator and brings over a decade of experience in business development to the position. His career has been shaped by a passion for collaborative community development and a commitment to meaningful research projects. One of his most notable achievements has been my involvement in researching and developing a Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) community co-op, which has evolved into a vital research center in Northern Canada.  Buckle has honed my skills in fostering partnerships that bridge the gap between research and practical application.

He has worked closely with diverse stakeholders, including local governments, community organizations, and academic institutions, to develop innovative solutions that address pressing environmental challenges.   

He is excited to bring his expertise to the Newfoundland & Labrador Federation of Agriculture (NLFA) to collaborate with farmers across the province to test and implement solutions that mitigate the impacts of climate change.   

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.  

ACS History in Newfoundland 

In 2022, the NLFA launched the NL Living Lab program. The initiative brought together farmers, scientists, researchers and other stakeholders to co-develop and test sustainable BMPs. These include nitrogen management, cover crops and biochar/compost. 

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada started the ACS program, part of Canada’s broader Natural Climate Solutions Fund. The goal is to highlight Canada’s climate change goals, such as reducing emissions by 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.  

Benefits for Stakeholders and Communities 

Adding staff means greater support for farmers in adopting climate-smart practices, improved collaboration between researchers and agricultural businesses, and a stronger alignment with national goals, which will also help create jobs in rural communities.