By Nick Dunn
Are you looking to improve environmental practices on your farm and unlock cost-shared funding for key upgrades and improvements? Now is the time to complete or update your Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). An EFP is a free, voluntary, and confidential tool that helps producers assess environmental risks within their operations and identify improvements. It’s a practical way to protect your land and water — and it’s also your ticket to funding through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) and other grant programs.
Launched in Alberta in 2003, the EFP program originally used paper binders, but as of 2019, it’s fully online. A major update released in 2023 introduced a 10-year renewal process that is a more flexible and user-friendly experience for producers. To date, over 25% of producers in Western Canada have completed their EFP — and the benefits go beyond the environment.
Having a valid, up-to-date EFP is required to access many government cost-share programs—especially under SCAP, which launched in April 2023. Programs under SCAP include the Farm Technology Program, Water Program, Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP), and the Efficient Grain Handling Program. These support a wide range of on-farm improvements such as water management systems, riparian protection, shelterbelts, soil health practices, precision ag tools, and energy-efficient grain drying equipment. Additional programs under SCAP also fund innovation, value-added processing, public trust initiatives, and ag education. Having an EFP in place ensures you’re eligible when these funding opportunities open — many of which are first-come, first-served. In addition, there are federal business risk management (BRM) programs such as AgriStability, AgriInvest, and AgriRecovery, which offer financial protection against severe income losses, margin declines, and natural disasters.
If you are interested in completing your EFP, you can register for an account at https://albertaefp.com; and login to get started on creating your workbook. After registering you will be assigned to a technician from your region. Flagstaff County does have EFP Technicians available for assistance that you can work with to complete your plan. Some producers complete the plan without assistance; however, it is recommended to complete the first two chapters with a technician to learn how to navigate the site and get it properly set up. Chapters 1 and 2 contain the most information to report on and getting started with a technician may save producers from completing unnecessary work.
Within the EFP website, there will be a list of upcoming workshops and events that are free for producers to attend. Producers have the option to complete their EFP virtually through workshops, or through local workshops hosted by organizational groups including Flagstaff County. The next available workshops are virtual and will be hosted on July 4, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., and on July 23, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Producers can go online to the EFP website to register for free. Flagstaff County will be hosting an in-person workshop at the County Administration Building on July 2, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Limited spots are available, so be sure to register at 780-384-4100.
The time it takes to complete an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) can vary depending on the type and complexity of your farming operation. Every farm is unique, and the EFP is designed to reflect that. Operations with higher levels of environmental risk — such as those near water sources, with intensive livestock production, or using certain inputs — may take a bit more time to assess and plan for. On the other hand, farms with lower risk may be able to complete the process more quickly. The goal is to identify areas where environmental improvements can be made and to create a practical, achievable plan that fits your needs. Ultimately, the time investment up front helps ensure a more sustainable and profitable farm in the long run, and it is only as good as the care and honesty you put into assessing your operation.
Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.