Extension programs play an important role in environmental stewardship and grassland management and have many benefits. There are several stewardship programs and initiatives in BC including: the British Columbia Environmental Farm Plan Program, the Cariboo Watershed Stewardship Council, the Peace River Forage Association of British Columbia, BC Agriculture Council and the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration in addition to others. All of the programs and initiatives play a vital part in the continued maintenance and enhancement of a variety of grassland animals, plants and habitats.
The British Columbia Environmental Farm Plan Program (BCEFPP) was launched in 2003 and was developed in partnership between the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (BC MAFF) and the BC Agriculture Council (BCAC).
The Environmental Farm Plan Program (EFPP) is a tool that is used by ranchers to increase the awareness of environmental issues and examine current production practices, identify potential risks and develop a practical plan to manage those risks on their farm operation. Environmental farm plans also have no expiry date but need to be updated as conditions and farm operations change. The purpose of environmental farm planning is to ensure productive, profitable and sustainable agriculture for future generations. The EFPP will complement and enhance the current environmental stewardship practices of BC producers.
The British Columbia beef industry has 12 farm planning advisors that work under the Beef Industry Environment Farm Advisor Service (BIEFAS) as a part of the EFPP. For more information on the EFPP in BC please call 1-877-522-8853 (toll free). For more detailed information regarding Environmental Farm Plan’s please visit the British Columbia Agriculture Council website at www.bcac.bc.ca
This Cariboo Watershed Stewardship Council (CWSC) was developed through the combined efforts of Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Cariboo Cattlemen’s Association. Its objectives are to engage ranchers in stewardship and to promote better range management practices. Ultimately the CWSC will work with ranchers to develop and deliver on Environmental Farm Plan’s and other stewardship programs.
The Peace River Forage Association of British Columbia (PRFA of BC) has developed through the combined efforts of several forage keen livestock producers in Peace River country in late 1991 and early 1992. All of their efforts led to the creation of the Peace River Forage Association of BC. The purpose of this association is to greatly improve the knowledge of forage among local producers.
Since that time the Peace River Forage Association of BC has continued to grow and in 1999 the association received an Environmental Stewardship Award for 20 subprojects that focused on several key areas including: communication, improving forage and grazing systems, addressing the wildlife situation and developing water systems.
Today the PRFA of BC has a multitude of projects that are currently underway in areas such as forage and grazing management projects, land and soil management projects, water development projects and pasture management workshops.
The objectives of these workshops and projects are to promote, encourage, develop and protect the forage industry; to increase forage knowledge; and to develop appropriate methodologies to apply knowledge effectively.
The BC Agriculture Council was founded in 1997 and works to provide leadership for the combined interests of all agricultural producers in British Columbia. The council promotes cooperation and collective response to matters that will affect the future of agriculture in BC. It also facilitates programs and delivery for a number of initiatives that benefit the industry.
The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) was established in 1935 by an Act of Parliament in response to drought, farm abandonment and land degradation.
The PFRA works with residents of the prairies to develop a viable agricultural industry and sustainable rural economy in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Peace River Region of BC. The PFRA offers ongoing programs and short-term initiatives from a network of district and regional offices. The programs work to ensure the sustainable use of the prairies irreplaceable soil and water resources.
The British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and Thompson Rivers University, are currently working to develop a range school that will complement the Environmental Farm Plan Program in British Columbia. The school is expected to open in the fall of 2005. As more information becomes available this site will be updated.
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