Agriculture is Embracing Third Edition EFP

Nancy Tilt for the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP), now in its third edition, continues to be popular with the Ontario agricultural community, with 7,300 producers taking part since it was introduced in May 2005. Close to $35 million has been allocated for 7,600 projects across the three federal
cost share programs.

Producers recognize the importance of keeping up-to-date with environmental issues, and education is a prime motivator to participate in an
EFP workshop. EFP, delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) on behalf of the Ontario Farm Environmental
Coalition, offers a continuing education program with no enrolment cost for producers. Its attractiveness lies in its grass roots, farmer-designed
origins that offer current information on managing farm operations in environmentally sound ways. The EFP is a self-directed learning process
where the producer is in charge of completing the risk assessment and the action plan development for their farm. This leads to heightened
understanding of the issues, the expected standards and the practicality of available beneficial management practices.

Increased funding for environmental cost-share programs now available through the Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan is also a
significant driver in continued EFP interest. Completion of the third edition workshop and a peer-reviewed, deemed-appropriate action plan are prerequisites for obtaining cost share funding through these initiatives. Funding for EFP and the environmental cost share programs is
provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) under the
Agricultural Policy Framework (APF).

Since the EFP third edition was introduced in May 2005, more than 7,300 producers have participated in workshops. Almost half of these –
some 3,500 farmers – have been through the program before. That says a lot for the popularity of the program, first introduced in 1993.

Andrew Graham, OSCIA Program Manager, reports, "Numbers for workshops were 40% over target for year one of the third edition. The
number of first-time participants (3,800) has also been encouraging. EFP continues to reach all sectors and all sizes of farms."

Jonathan Watchurst is an EFP Workshop Leader and Program Representative for seven counties and municipalities spanning Halton to
Muskoka. Watchurst notes, "There is a trend in workshop participation towards larger operators, compared to earlier editions. In many cases, it's because of new regulations, such as nutrient management, requiring certain standards." The cost share initiatives provide welcome financial assistance for capital or operational changes needed to meet these new standards.

Implement dealers, well drillers and other farm-related businesses have also embraced the latest edition of the EFP, encouraging their farming customers to attend EFP workshops. Updated information and the availability of cost share funding for environmental improvements are timely.

Three cost share programs are available in all farm communities across the province - Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program (COFSP),
Greencover Canada (GC), and Tier 1 of the Canada-Ontario Water Supply Expansion Program (COWSEP). The cost share amounts available in the 36 categories of beneficial management practices (BMP) are considerably greater than in previous EFP programs - 30-50% or up to $30,000, depending on the BMP category. With adjustments that were recently introduced for COFSP, up to $50,000 in cost share funding may be available per farm entity.

COFSP encourages producers to adopt BMP to reduce risks to water and air quality, to conserve and enhance soil resources and improve
wildlife habitat. As of the end of mid-October 2006, COFSP had allocated $31 million for 6,200 projects across the province, representing 69% of total funds available.

Twenty-five BMP categories are eligible under COFSP. Most popular at the provincial level are improved cropping systems, improved manure
storage, water well management, nutrient management planning, and improved pest management.

More locally across Watchurst’s area, the picture is similar. Applications related to precision farming are popular, e.g. global positioning systems (GPS) and the specialized modification of drills that enable them to handle no-till conditions. Benefits include fuel cost and energy savings, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced soil erosion and more efficient application of fertilizers and pesticides. As Watchurst puts it, "It's a step forward, and once you have it, you don't want to go back."

"There's also a real interest in protecting groundwater resources for obvious health benefits," Watchurst adds, with numerous applications for
decommissioning wells, both on the local and provincial scenes. Locally, applications for run-off control, generally from smaller operations, are
also popular. For example, operations with older barns needing eaves troughs are applying for funding to divert clean water away from manure storages and livestock yards.

Greencover Canada (GC) provides cost share for projects related to tree shelterbelt establishment, riparian area management and enhancing
biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Both provincially and locally, the majority of applications have focused on fencing riparian areas to remove livestock from watercourses and introducing improved grazing management systems. Of $11 million available under GC, $1.75 million has been
allocated for 680 projects as of mid-October, leaving substantial funding still available.

Watchurst notes that applications for the GC program are starting to increase. Producers should be aware that top-ups may be available in some areas of the province through Conservation Authorities, and other initiatives delivered by OSCIA such as the Greenbelt Farm Stewardship Program and the Oak Ridges Moraine Environmental Enhancement Program. These initiatives can increase available cost share funding up to 75 and 90% respectively on a wide array of eligible BMP categories.

The third program, Canada-Ontario Water Supply Expansion Program (COWSEP), has proven extremely popular. Provincially, the original farm project funds provided through the program are all allocated, but, notes Graham, "OSCIA is still accepting applications of intent, and federal partners are working at securing extra dollars." COWSEP aims to improve the capacity of agricultural producers to deal with low water situations through expanded water supplies. To date, close to 700 on-farm projects have received cost share commitments.

Watchurst has found participation in COWSEP at the local level equally impressive. "Ninety percent of the applications are a dual application with requests for funding to develop new water supplies while decommissioning old wells", he explains. Types of application for expanded water supply include livestock use, irrigation and vegetable washing.

With all the programs, allocated funds must be spent on the project within 15 months of the applicant receiving approval from OSCIA, or
before November 30, 2007, whichever occurs first. That period of time provides ample opportunity to carry out the project and submit the claim through local OSCIA Program Representatives.