| | Glenn Sawyer
Glenn Sawyer came to farming by a somewhat indirect route. He grew up in Calgary and attended the University of Calgary, studying physical education. After he and his wife taught school for five years, they saw the light and began farming. Now, some 30 years later, they are still at it.
He says, “My wife and I farm northeast of Calgary, and I also farm with my son and his family.” The Sawyers grow different types of wheat, barley for malt and feed, and canola, and they have a small cow-calf operation.
Considering the environment is an integral part of the Sawyers’ operation. He gives a few examples of their practices: “We no-till to prevent water erosion and wind erosion. We only use insecticides if we absolutely have to. When we fill our [herbicide] sprayers, we 5keep quite a distance away from our water sources.”
The Sawyers are currently developing an Environmental Farm Plan for their farm. His wife Joy belongs to the Acme Agricultural Society, which recently hosted an Environmental Farm Plan workshop.
The Environmental Farm Plan program provides a voluntary, confidential process to help farmers assess and address the environmental risks and opportunities on their farms. Sawyer says, “We’ve taken our first session of that. I found it very interesting. It’s a two-day workshop, and you try to analyze everything about your farm from [an environmental view] – whether it’s pesticide storage, or where you put your fuel, or where you feed your animals. It was very informative.”
In terms of environmental issues for Alberta producers, Sawyer says, “I am concerned that farmers need a better way to dispose of their used oil and also their herbicide containers.”
Over the years, Sawyer has served on several producer commissions. He was on the Alberta Canola Producers Commission for six years and a director for the Western Canadian Wheat Growers for several years. For the last four years, he has been a delegate for his region on the Alberta Barley Commission.
Sawyer is the new representative for the Alberta Barley Commission on AESA Council. The commission is a not-for-profit organization funded, directed and controlled by Alberta barley farmers. Its mandate includes coordinating and sponsoring research, market development, technology transfer, and policy development on behalf of barley producers.
About half of Canada’s barley production comes from Alberta, and the Alberta Barley Commission is the only barley commission in Canada. What’s so good about Alberta barley? Sawyer says, “It makes really good muffins, and it’s healthy. It makes for wonderful Alberta beef, and the hogs like it too. And it makes good beer.” What more could you ask for?
Alain Lavoie
Alain Lavoie is the new representative on AESA Council for the Peace Region Committee of AESA’s Farm Based Program. This is Lavoie’s first year as chairman of that committee, after serving as a committee member for about five years.
The Farm Based Program aims to encourage adoption of environmentally responsible management practices by producers. The Peace Region Committee is one of the program’s four regional committees. These committees evaluate proposals from municipalities, producer groups and other agencies for funding assistance to conduct local extension programming. The committees also provide input on stewardship issues to AESA Council and staff.“
Every region has its own needs,” explains Lavoie. “The Farm Based Program is based on regional needs so the program will be better accepted by the producers and more efficient and effective.”
He adds, “It’s a challenge here in the Peace because every area is different. Working with all the producer and research associations is very interesting because everybody has different needs. For instance, Grimshaw has aquifers, High Prairie has a lot of riparian areas, and the northern areas tend to have more forestry. I think it’s important that the program be flexible and continues to work with as many groups as possible to make sure that we address producer needs.”
Local programs funded recently in the Peace Region include such topics as manure management for intensive livestock operations, which are becoming more common in the region, and testing the use of ash from the forestry industry to reduce soil acidity, to see if this practice might benefit both forestry and agriculture.
Lavoie grew up in St-Isidore, about 15 km east of the town of Peace River. After earning his degree in Agriculture from the University of Alberta, he started farming near St-Isidore. Along with his uncles and cousins, he operates a dairy and grain farm.
“For our operation, environmental stewardship definitely is important because it’s intensive livestock,” he notes. “We have to keep track of all the information on manure application, do soil testing, and make sure that we use the proper application rates and manage the land properly.”
Lavoie’s knowledge of the Peace Region’s stewardship issues will help him to provide valuable input to AESA Council. His initial experiences with Council have been positive. He says, “I’ve found it very informative, a very good way to get good interaction between the different industries and different regions, and to understand better everybody’s challenges and how we can deal with air, land and water quality, so we can all make it the best possible for farmers to have a viable future.” |
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