| | Goal | Provincial extension resources | Extension grants
Goal
Facilitate the adoption of beneficial management practices by farmers and ranchers to ensure that primary production has a positive influence on the environment and supports a sustainable agricultural industry.
The AESA Farm based component is an extension program and we are working to ensure that there is a sustainable agriculture industry that is environmentally responsible, economically viable and socially acceptable. Through extension programs and resources, the AESA Farm based component is encouraging on-farm adoption of Beneficial Management practices (BMP) which are cost-effective, practical farm management methods that minimize environmental impacts.
This component has two parts:
Provincial Extension Resources
Provincial extension resources: Professional and technical support to facilitate effective coordination, planning, extension and technology transfer.. Training and information packages are available and are provided to a diverse group of partners to support their extension efforts.
Activities also include information development and transfer of BMP's, environmental farm planning, nutrient management planning, integrated cropping systems, grazing and riparian management, responsible pest management and wildlife habitat conservation.
Extension Grants
To support integrated environmental planning, technology transfer and extension activities, and farm resource management by farmers and ranchers. Agricultural service boards, agricultural and environmental organizations, and First Nations groups are eligible to obtain grants. Applicants are required to prepare three-year Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (ESA) plans outlining priority issues, program details and activities, partnerships and budgets. Priority management areas are based on local issues and are:
- Nutrient Management
- Integrated Crop Management
- Grazing and Riparian Management
Funds are provided on a cost-shared basis to a maximum of 75% of total costs. There is also a focus on manpower; therefore, a minimum of 70% of the grant provided by AESA will go towards manpower. Eligible projects include those that promote the reduction of impacts from agricultural production practices on soil, water, biodiversity and air resources.
This year (2008) we are continuing the previous three year programming phase (2005-2007) thus, we are not accepting applications at this time.
Program evaluation is also important to make certain that the program is reaching producers and working towards on-the-ground changes that result in a sustainable industry. One method of evaluation is the AESA Tracking survey which is a benchmarking survey that has been completed in 2001, 2004 and 2007. These are the results from the farm level tracking AESA Survey 2001(AESA 2001 Farm Survey), 2004 (AESA 2004 Farm Survey Executive Summary) and 2007 (2007 AESA Tracking Survey Bulletin). This survey addressed awareness, attitudes and adoption of Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (ESA) practices.
Please contact Dale Chrapko, Provincial Program Coordinator @ 780-644-1969 for further information. |
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