Initiative
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP), through the provincial government, recently released its cost-share programs. Three of the programs require an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP):
1. The Efficient Grain Handling Program
3. The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP)
The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) is a new program and was developed to accelerate the adoption of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) that supply Ecological Goods & Services (EG&S) on agricultural landscapes, particularly increased carbon sequestration and enhanced climate resilience. Producers are eligible for a per-acre payment basis for three years for pasture management, cropland conversion, tree establishment and wetland restoration or construction. Groups such as Grazing Reserve Associations and Community Pastures and approved Indigenous applicants (First Nation, Métis Nation, Inuit) are also able to apply.
The EFP Webbook is flexible and able to be completed by Grazing Reserve Associations and Community Pastures, among others. If you are unsure how your group should complete the workbook, contact the EFP office or reach out to your EFP technician for guidance. They will guide you on who the key people are to complete the workbook and how to complete the workbook for your unique situation.
To apply to all 3 of these programs, you must have a current EFP certificate or letter of completion, or you must be currently working on an EFP and be able to receive the EFP certificate or letter before the end of your project term. That means get your funding application in now, and you have time to complete your EFP after. If you already have an EFP certificate or letter, it must be dated within 10 years from the date your proposal is received for SCAP to be considered valid.
The other good news is that an EFP technician can help you complete your EFP workbook with as much or as little support as you need. Some EFP technicians are also trained to help you get your SCAP applications completed too, though this is not a service provided by the EFP Program.
The first step of registration begins through the Alberta EFP website www.albertaefp.com or by calling 1-587-200-2552 to receive over the phone assistance.
EFP does not provide funding in anyway, however is a requirement to receive funding through some SCAP programs.
For more information on SCAP see https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap-programs.aspx or call 310-FARM (3276)
· For Efficient Grain Handling Program email questions to [email protected]
· For Farm Technology Program email questions to [email protected]
· For Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) email questions to [email protected]
The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Webbook is an online educational system that guides producers step by step to build their EFP. The system is conveniently laid out online with resources at each step to give you all the information you need to make decisions about your farm. Once your plan is complete, submitting it to your technician to review is as simple as clicking a button. When your plan has been approved the online system will provide you with a checklist of your action plan to reduce environmental risk. For more information on EFP see: www.albertaefp.com or call 1-587-200-2552