Environmental Farm Plan Program a Success

In 1993 farmers set to work developing a program which would become known around the world for its landmark agenda on the environment – the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). As we enter the year 2000, the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association has released the results of a survey showing just how important the EFP has become on Ontario farms.

Over 18,000 farmers have participated in the EFP since its inception, representing about one-third of Ontario agricultural producers and five million acres of Ontario farmland. Here are some of the interesting notes from the EFP Indicator Survey:

• 41 per cent of the farmers surveyed reported that their participation in the EFP has prevented an environmental peril from occurring on their farm.
• More than half of the environmental actions indicated in the plans of survey respondents have been completed or started.
• Almost two-thirds of the respondents have undertaken more environmental action than their plans indicated.
• Over 90 per cent of respondents are willing to attend follow-up workshops.
• More than 50 per cent have revisited their EFP workbook to review information.

The University of Guelph research team reports the findings confirm that EFP is a comprehensive program that is leading to considerable environmental action by farmers. The survey shows that Ontario farmers have spent about $112 million towards actions to date, and if all action plans currently underway across the province are completed, spending could be in the order of $197 million.

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