Wanted: Information on Farm Environmental Projects!

Jackie Fraser, Executive Director, AGCare

AGCare has embarked on an ambitious project to document and tally all of the good work that Ontario's farmers have done for the environment over the past few decades.

We know that Ontario's farmers have invested millions of dollars and thousand of hours of time in environmental projects on their farms. There are also many government and community partners who have assisted the farm community in achieving their environmental goals.

No one has ever actually documented and tracked all of this excellent work. We know the information will be impressive and feel its important to have this information at our fingertips both to communicate what we've done and to plan for future farm environmental opportunities.

Organizations such as Conservation Ontario and Ducks Unlimited are also very enthusiastic about the project and are offering support and information.

Conservation Ontario has commented that conservation authorities have had a long and successful partnership with the farming community. They are proud of their track record in facilitating effective onfarm environmental projects and look forward to having this information readily available.

AGCare will collect information on farm environmental programs to develop a database and report. A variety of communications products that can be used to inform various audiences about "Our Farm Environmental Commitment" will be produced and farmers, farm organizations, and partners will deliver the message.

The full report will contain detailed information on the money that Ontario farmers have spent on environmental improvements and issues. It will also highlight time commitments for these on-farm activities as well as time spent attending courses. Any milestones and documented improvements, such as reduction in pesticide use, improvements to water quality, or acres under reduced or no-tillage will be featured.

If you know of any particular programs or data that should be included, please contact Jackie Fraser of AGCare at 519-837-1326 or jfraser@agcare.org; or Bernt Solymar of EarthTramper Consulting at 519-4267124 or solymar@nornet.on.ca.

This project has been made possible by funding in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Adaptation Council's Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative (AESI).