| | The AESA Program was one of the proud winners at the 15th annual Emerald Awards ceremony in June! Since its creation in 1997, the AESA Program has been developing and delivering collaborative initiatives for environmentally sustainable growth of Alberta’s farm, ranch and agri-food processing industry. With AESA funding, municipalities, producer organizations, first nations groups, environmental agencies, agri-food processors and other agencies are finding practical, effective options to enhance environmental stewardship in agriculture.
Currently, AESA is working in partnership with 40 community-based groups in delivery of environmentally sustainable agriculture programs across Alberta. As a result of these extension efforts, there is increasing stewardship awareness and action by Alberta’s farmers and ranchers. The AESA Program also supports water and soil quality monitoring to assess agriculture’s impact on the environment.
The Emerald Awards, hosted by the Alberta Emerald Foundation, celebrate leadership in environmental excellence in many areas of life in Alberta. The AESA Program was one of five agriculture-related winners this year. The others were: Alberta Reduced Tillage LINKAGES; the Little Red Deer River Watershed Initiative; Lakeland College’s student Enviro Club; and Dennis McKerracher (a pork producer and member of AESA Council).
“Agriculture producers have always understood the connection between their livelihood and the environment,” says Doug Horner, Minister of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. “The more we learn about taking care of the environment and about best management practices on-farm, the more effective and efficient our farms become.”
For more information on the Emerald Awards, go to www.emeraldfoundation.ca. |
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