New Online Tool and Enhancements to Environmental Programs for Farmers and Ranchers

News Release

April 1, 2015 – Regina, Saskatchewan – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Today, the federal and provincial governments announced a new web portal for Saskatchewan's Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) program. The portal allows farm owners to create, review and update their EFPs online and at their own pace.

As well, the Ministry has enhanced the Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) available through the Farm Stewardship Program. There are now 24 BMPs under seven categories, including five new BMPs and enhancements to seven existing BMPs. The Farm Stewardship Program helps Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers implement practices that maintain or improve the quality of the environment.

Quick Facts

BMPs may be accessed and implemented with the completion of an EFP. They minimize negative impacts and risk to the environment while ensuring the long-term health and economic strength of the agriculture industry.
Funding for implementation of BMPs is available through the Farm Stewardship Program.
The new EFP web portal can be accessed at efp.saskatchewan.ca.
New BMPs include grain bag rollers and carcass disposal planning. Funding caps were also increased on several existing BMPs to further encourage producers to make environmentally beneficial changes to their operations.
More information about the Farm Stewardship Program and the full list of BMPs can be viewed at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GF2-FarmStewardship.
The EFP program and the Farm Stewardship Program are funded through Growing Forward 2, a cost-shared partnership between federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments designed to support an innovative, competitive and profitable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.

Quotes

"Saskatchewan producers are constantly analyzing the effects of their farming and ranching practices on the environment and putting best management practices into place. The new EFP program portal will be a valuable tool for producers that our government is proud to support."
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

"Saskatchewan's farmers and ranchers have made a commitment to environmental sustainability, and we're proud to support their efforts. Through farmers' Environmental Farm Plans and the implementation of Beneficial Management Practices, our province is better positioned to improve the quality of our soil, water, air and the biodiversity of our resources"
Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Lyle Stewart

"Developing an Environmental Farm Plan and participating in the Farm Stewardship program helped me redirect my runoff water, improving the quality of nearby water sources. That's been a benefit not only for my family and my cattle, but also, and more importantly, for the land and environment around us."
cattle rancher Jack Hextall

Additional Links

Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

Contacts

Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada

Sarah Hein
Agriculture
Regina
306-787-5389
sarah.hein@gov.sk.ca
306-527-9102 (Cell)

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New Online Tool and Enhancements to Environmental Programs for Farmers and Ranchers

News Release

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