This year’s Dave Reid Award goes to Paul Caplette, an Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Montérégie participant and field crop producer.
The Dave Reid Award honors innovative farmers participating in ALUS who are dedicated to producing ecological services on their land for the benefit of their communities and the environment.
Paul Caplette took over the family business with his brother Pierre at a young age. Since 2000, the two brothers haven been experimenting with agri-environmental practices and have set up their first ALUS projects in 2018.
Now, the brothers are aiming for carbon neutrality within the next 10 years. Nearly 25 acres of ALUS nature-based solutions are producing ecosystem services on the Caplettes’ Céréales Bellevue farm.
“Paul Caplette has been a leader in Quebec’s agri-environmental movement for years and a remarkable ALUS ambassador ever since he joined the program in 2018,” says Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Executive Officer of ALUS.
“He is very involved in the advancement of knowledge to develop practices that address key issues on farmland. We are thrilled to recognize him as an exceptional steward of the environment and to make his contribution shine across the country.”
Caplette is also engaged in numerous agricultural projects and a member of several regional and provincial committees.
He helps to promote good soil conservation practices and to raise awareness of the impact of agri-environmental activities in his community and beyond.
The Dave Reid Award is accompanied by a $10,000 cash prize.