Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Agricultural producers requiring an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) are welcome to attend an upcoming workshop in Falher.
The workshop is being held by Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA)’s Kate Lovsin and hosted by M.D. of Smoky River.
“We are assisting the EFP coordinator (Kate Lovsin) with office space and refreshments so that our producers can have the prerequisite environmental plan to apply for provincial/federal funding opportunities as we do not have a trained EFP technical advisor on staff,” explains M.D. of Smoky River agricultural fieldman Shayne Steffen.
“It’s a good symbiotic relationship where they can promote and advise producers on the program locally and our producers can access needed funding to improve environmental stewardship on their farm,” he adds.
The workshop will be held at the M.D. conference room on April 16 from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Producers are asked to bring their own laptop to the workshop.
Lovsin will help producers sign up for the online workbook and will go through the first two chapters of the EFP workbook. She’s also hopeful they will be able to complete Chapter 5.
“Our goal is to get people set up for success,” says Lovsin.
“The workbook is completely online, so I will help them set up an account and start working on their application.”
Lovsin adds the EFP will help producers go through their operation to highlight areas that require attention and a plan to address those concerns.
Don’t worry if you’ve missed registration and thus unable to attend. Lovsin says she is based out of High Prairie and is happy to meet with producers who require assistance with their EFP.
If you’d like to contact Lovsin for assistance or to register for the event, please contact her at (587) 200-2552 extension 2000, or by email at klovsin@areca.ab.ca.
Registration for the April 16 event was April 14; however; Lovsin is willing to set up a time to meet with producers outside of the workshop timeframe.
Lovsin says the Falher workshop is free to attend. Lunch is provided.