ACARN focuses on knowledge mobilization (KMb)—helping turn agricultural research into practical tools and strategies. We don’t conduct research ourselves or provide direct on-farm support. Instead, we collaborate with partners to support climate action and innovation in agriculture. 

Our five core goals are to: 

• Build a provincial network of agricultural researchers. 
• Share research knowledge and expertise. 
• Improve access to applied research outcomes. 
• Coordinate collaborative research projects. 
• Train future researchers and outreach professionals. 

ACARN defines climate action as research and innovation related to climate adaptation and mitigation. Our priorities reflect the diverse expertise across our network and include: 

• Soil health and systems 
• Water management 
• Crop and livestock production 
• Extreme weather response 
• Pest and disease management 
• Habitat and biodiversity conservation 
• Agricultural policy and economics 
• Socioeconomic transitions 
• Data-driven decision-making 
• Extension and knowledge adoption 
• Agritech innovation  
• Remote sensing and monitoring  

The cost of working with ACARN depends on the scope and duration of the project: 

• Short-term projects typically fall under our fee-for-service structure. Please get in touch with us directly for details and pricing. 
• Longer-term collaborations are usually supported through research or extension grants. If you’re applying for funding, you can include ACARN as a contractor in your proposal. Alternatively, our team can collaborate with you to co-develop a funding application aligned with your project goals. 

We encourage you to contact our team to discuss your project and explore available options. 

We use a variety of knowledge transfer tools to reach producers and targeted audiences, including: 

• Workshops and field days 
• Digital resources and toolkits 
• Webinars and training sessions 
• Research summaries and reports 
• Collaborative extension initiatives 

ACARN works with you to co-develop a process that fits your goals. If you’re a researcher, learn more about the structured process we use to collaborate on a knowledge exchange event in the document below.

ACARN and the BC Food Web work with you to co-develop a brief that achieves your research mobilization goals. Learn more about the structured process we use to create a research brief below:

ACARN is a collaborative network that connects researchers, government, and industry to support climate action in BC agriculture. We break down silos between disciplines, regions, and commodities to: 

• Align research with industry needs 
• Promote interdisciplinary and applied research 
• Strengthen the impact of climate action initiatives 
• Foster dialogue and collaboration 

Absolutely! ACARN is open to many participants—from researchers and students to farmers, ranchers, and agri-professionals. Whether you’re involved in research or simply passionate about agriculture, there’s a place for you in our network. We value stakeholder engagement across the entire research-to-practice pipeline. 

Stay current by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media. We regularly share updates, research highlights, and event announcements. 

ACARN is hosted by the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at the University of British Columbia (UBC). It was launched in 2017 as a collaborative initiative involving universities, government agencies, and industry groups. Our goal is to: 

• Enhance provincial agricultural research 
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration 
• Improve the strategic use of climate action resources 

ACARN is hosted by the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at the University of British Columbia (UBC). We receive operational support from our partner organizations and funding from sources such as: 

• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
• Industry and government grants