Environmental Farm Plan, A Planning Tool for Ag Producers

AJapaneseproverb states “Vision without action is a dream, action without vision is a nightmare”. When you couple this in a business model, whether it be a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation, discussion and planning is essential to long term sustainability. Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) is a self-assessment tool that helps producers identify their environmental risks and develop plans to mitigate those identified risks. It also enables producers to apply for provincial and federal grants, while simultaneously conveying to the global market that Alberta agricultural producers are good stewards of the land.

Sara Miller (County of Two Hills Assistant Ag Fieldman) and Devon Lloyd (EFP Program Manager) hosted an EFP workshop on April 27,

2023 in Two Hills. They walked the participants through the on-line process of filling out the first few sections regarding the farmstead, the main activities, the soil characteristics, the water sources, the potential water bodies, the environmental emergency plan, and the surrounding habitat including trees, shelterbelt and woodlots. Compared to the previous method of using a binder, the electronic version permits you to access on-line information that is seldomly used by producers with greater ease. Once the first few chapters are completed, the following ones become a series of inquiries about potential risk, possible project, obstacles, and timeline goals. This digital method has the option for participants to select chapters that are only relevant to their farm. Those following the possible 20 chapters, will explore subjects such as the storage of fuels, pesticides, and fertilizers on the farmstead as well as the management of crops, pastures, soils, nutrients, manure, livestock yard, irrigation, and large predator risk on field sites. Once completed, the participant submits electronically the workbook to the local EFP technician. Rest assured, the technician, Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA) and Alberta EFP have a mandate and commitment to protect users’ personal information and data. Once approved, participants will be assigned an EFP number they can use when applying for provincial and federal grants.

With an EFP, Alberta producers demonstrate their already established commitment to agricultural stewardship that meets or surpasses international standards. Success on the farm involves a plan based on clear information that guides how producers identify and monitor what is working well in addition to developing a strategy to eliminate or mitigate risks. Producers are always improving their farm operations and this EFP allows them to access grants to help them pay for it. Good initiatives and actions should always be rewarded by some form of appreciation. Want to know more? Reach out to an Alberta EFP/ARECA at programs@areca.ab.ca, Devon Lloyd, EFP Program Manager at Devon@ areca.ab.ca , or Sara Miller Assistant Agricultural Fieldman at smiller@ thcounty.ab.ca.

Sebastien Dutrisac, CCA, CAF