Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are on the agenda of all major industries in Alberta, including agriculture. Considered a source of GHG emissions, the agriculture industry has potential to reduce these emissions. The main GHG from the agriculture sector are nitrous oxide (N20), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (C02).
The AESA (Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture) Program and Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD) recently released "A Workbook on Greenhouse Gas Mitigation for Agricultural Managers" to assist farmers and ranchers in addressing GHG issues at the farm level. "The purpose behind developing the workbook was to increase awareness among agricultural producers and to introduce them to possible sources of GHG emissions from their own operations," explains Tara Banks, Climate Change Agrologist in Edmonton. "The workbook provides an overview of how farming may contribute to GHG emissions, and ways producers can decrease emissions while either maintaining or increasing production efficiency and profitability."
Topics range from general GHG information, specifics in cropping and livestock industries, agroforestry to alternative energy sources. The last section provides an overview of GHG emission reduction and emission removal credits or carbon credits. Over 300 copies of the workbook have been distributed to various agriculture organizations and individuals across Alberta.
Prior to the release of the workbook, a pilot workshop was held in Lacombe to get input from agriculture producers. "The workshop facilitator worked through each chapter of the workbook with participants," says Banks. "Along with the discussion generated, we were looking for feedback on improving the workbook before it was released."
"We’re looking at holding more workshops across the province for producers," says Banks. "The workshop provides the opportunity for producers to learn what others are doing on their farms in terms of conservation farming techniques and reducing GHG emissions." The team is also exploring the potential to hold a national training seminar for participants across Canada. Watch for information on upcoming workshops this fall.
A proposal for the development of a web version of the workbook is also under discussion. "Our primary focus right now is to find other ways to use the workbook as a tool to increase awareness about GHG’s," she adds. The workbook is part of a broader GHG awareness initiative that includes a poster, two brochures (as PDF file) and a series of GHG Information Bulletins. One brochure focuses on general GHG and climate change information as it relates to agriculture, while the other focuses on Renewable Energy and Agriculture.
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