Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan
A Voluntary Environmental Education and Awareness Program
delivered by the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition
 Table of Contents
- Introduction
- How You Can Get Involved
- The Workbook
- Infosheets
- State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference Award
2000
- Related Links
Introduction
What is the Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)?
Environmental Farm Plans (EFP) are assessments voluntarily prepared
by farm families to increase their environmental awareness in up to
23 different areas on their farm. Through the EFP local workshop process,
farmers will highlight their farm’s environmental strengths identify
areas of environmental concern, and set realistic action plans with
time tables to improve environmental conditions. Environmental cost-share
programs are available to assist in implementing projects.
Visit the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) website
to find out more.
The idea for Environmental Farm Plans originated from the Ontario
farm community. Farmers have been involved in every stage of developing
Environmental Farm Plans (EFP), through the Ontario Farm Environmental
Coalition.
The Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition is lead by four main organizations:
- Ontario Federation of Agriculture
- Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario
- Ontario Farm Animal Council
- AGCare (Agricultural Groups Concerned About Resources and the
Environment)
The EFP is delivered locally by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement
Association (OSCIA). Technical expertise is provided by Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
Funding is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
With over 27, 000 participants since the program began in 1993, this
internationally recognized program has been very successful in helping
Ontario farmers adopt more environmentally sustainable practices.
History & Funding
The EFP Program began as a pilot project in 1993 in seven selected
counties across Ontario. Funding for the pilot project was provided
by the Land Management Assistance Program, under Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada's Green Plan. Technical support was provided by OMAFRA. Farmers
involved were asked "Would you recommend the EFP process to your
neighbour?". Ninety-five percent said yes.
Between 1992 and 1997 funding for the EFP was provided through the
Canada - Ontario Green Plan by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).
Since 1997 financial support was provided by AAFC through the CanAdapt
program, administered in Ontario by the Agricultural Adaptation Council.
In April of 2005 AAFC announced that funding will be provided to
continue the EFP until March 31, 2008 - subject to demand for workshops
and number of incentive claims.
Participate in the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Program and increase
your awareness and knowledge, build competitiveness and strengthen
your industry.
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How You Can Get Involved With the Environmental
Farm Plan
Each step of the EFP process is voluntary. You may proceed as far
as you wish.
Step 1. Attend an EFP Workshop scheduled for your area. You'll be
provided with instructions and help on how to progress through the
risk assessment and action plan development contained in the third
edition EFP workbook.
Step 2. Submit your EFP action plan for a confidential review by
a group of locally-appointed farmers. They may be able to offer suggestions
to help you achieve your environmental goals. Government personnel
will not see your information.
Step 3. Begin implementing your EFP Action Plan.
Step 1 Details - Attending an EFP Workshop
Workshops are organized and delivered locally though the Program
Representative of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
(OSCIA). Technical expertise is provided by OMAFRA. For specific dates
and locations in your county/district, contact OSCIA toll-free at
1-800-265-9751, or find out who your Program Representative by visiting
the OSCIA website. There is no charge for the workshop.*
* Lunches may carry a modest cost.
Completing the Risk Assessment
The EFP Risk Assessment gives you the opportunity to rate your current
level of environmental concern in various areas on your farm (e.g.
water wells, fuel storage, soil management, pest management) as presented
in the EFP Workbook. The Worksheets are easy to follow. They help
to highlight environmental strengths on your farm as well as areas
of environmental concern.
Each of the worksheets are set up in a similar manner and have an
average of 20 questions. You complete only the worksheets and questions
which apply to your situation.
Developing an Action Plan
When the worksheets are completed, your ratings will show areas of
your farm that would benefit from changes to reduce potential environmental
risk. The development of an Action Plan will help you analyze the
situation, decide what you can do, and when it can be done. Infosheets
for each worksheet and Best Management Practices books are
references available to help get ideas and establish priorities.
Step 2 Details - Submitting Your EFP for Review
Submit your EFP through your Program Representative for confidential
Peer Review. The Review committee is comprised of local farmers experienced
with farm environmental issues. Once your Action Plan is deemed appropriate
by the Peer Review Committee, you can participate in the EFP Cost-Share
Program to help cover a portion of the costs of implementing eligible
projects from your action plan Many participants have expressed
a tremendous sense of accomplishment and satisfaction once their EFP
is complete and peer reviewed.
Step 3 - Implementing Your Action Plan
Complete projects based on your priorities. Technical assistance
is available from OMAFRA.
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The Workbook
 The
goal of the Environmental Farm Plan Workbook is to help you see your
farm in a new way. It asks you to think about your land, the buildings
on your farm, the products you use, and many other things from a new
point of view. It asks you to rate how each of these things could
affect the environment - the air, soil, wildlife and water sources
- around your farm. And, it asks you to consider new ways of working
that will decrease the risks to our precious natural resources.
The EFP Workbook has two parts - the Farm Review and the Action Plan.
In the Farm Review section you will assess the soils on your farm
and rate their ability to offset, or increase, potential risks to
the environment. The Farm Review includes 23 Worksheets to help you
rate different situations on your farm. From these ratings you will
develop an Action Plan.
Note: EFP Worksheets are not included on this web site.
As you work on your Action Plan, you will have to decide whether
potential problems result from natural risks on your farm (e.g.. soil
type or depth to water table) or from the way you manage some part
of your farm operations. You will have to think about what you need
to do to solve these problems or control them, either right away,
or over the next few years.
Remember that the Farm Review and the Action Plan belong only to
you. They will help you identify potential problems that may affect
the environment, and find solutions to reduce the risk.
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Infosheets
Each of the 23 worksheets in the Workbook have a corresponding infosheet.
This infosheets have been developed to provide you with more information
to help you effectively completing your action plans for peer review.
Infosheets are structured just like the EFP worksheets by dealing
with each issue one question at a time.
Infosheets are ...
- a quick reference for information specific to the worksheet question
- a short list of possible actions that will change your situation
for the better
- a list of some acceptable compensating factors that adequately
address a situation without changing the rating you specified in
the workbook
- a good benchmark to see how your proposed solutions measure up
Infosheets are not ...
- the only solution (other solutions may have become available)
- the last word on an issue (some issues are complex and more technical
information may be required from other sources)
EFP Infosheets:
State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference Award
2000
Ontario's award-winning Environmental Farm Plan has received recognition
from a large North American strategic alliance at the "State
of the Lakes" Ecosystem Conference".
Related Links
In Partnership with:
 
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For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
Local: (519) 826-4047
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
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