
Rural Extension
The Rural Extension Program is available to help you learn about sustainable or regenerative agriculture, where your food comes from, environmental stewardship, conservation and watersheds.
A wide variety of programs and technical services are available:
- Providing technical assistance to producers for development of Environmental Farm Plans
- Watershed Projects in the County
- Help with Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) funding applications
- Workshops on a variety of topics: Shelterbelts, Ecobuffers, Native Pollinators, Well and Dugout Maintenance
- Field Tours – In-person and Virtual
- Youth Agriculture Tours and Classroom Agriculture presentations
- High School Environmental Education
- Support for Watershed Societies
Watershed Projects |
Everyone lives in a watershed. Watersheds influence the landscape and in turn are impacted by human activities. The Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance has produced a State of the Watershed Report. It is meant to document and identify significant stewardship challenges and options. We are excited to share some projects that have already made a positive impact in our watershed!
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Alberta Environmental Farm Plan |
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Canadian Agricultural Partnership ( CAP) Funding |
Are you a farmer or rancher looking to access funding from the various Canadian Agricultural Partnership – Alberta (CAP) programs? Your farm or ranch is eligible for grant funding depending on your operation. Funding opportunities on popular programs such as solar watering systems, fencing, shelterbelts, dugouts, wells and more are available, and still accepting applications. Apply now! The Primary Producer Farmer Rancher programs have many eligible activities For help with the developing an application contact the Rural Extension Officer. |
Workshops |
Whether you are an acreage owner or a producer, these workshops are sure to be of interest and are free to attend!
Check the Events Calendar for upcoming workshops. Workshops for agriculture producers and other popular stewardship topics are offered throughout the year. |
Tours |
Virtual Farm ToursGrab a coffee and join us for a virtual tour of local farms! Meet the producers in the County of Grande Prairie and learn where your food comes from! High School Riparian TourFull-day field trip for high school students that takes place in the springtime. Students rotate through learning stations along the Beaverlodge River to hear speakers discuss various environmental topics, including:
The tour also includes a sponsored BBQ and various in-class sessions. Any high school teacher is eligible to enroll their students in the tour by contacting the Rural Extension Officer. |
Open Farm Days |
Farms across Alberta are opening their gates! Check out Open Farm Days for a province-wide open house weekend where you can meet your rural neighbours. You'll learn about how food gets to your table, share stories and learn more about the farmers who grow their food. |
Alberta Envirothon |
Alberta Envirothon helps high school students develop the knowledge, skills and experience they need to actively participate as stewards of natural resources. Aimed at students in Grades 9-12, the Alberta Envirothon is an annual environmentally themed education competition. The winning team has the chance to represent Alberta at the National Conservation Foundation NCF-Envirothon International competition in addition to receiving cash awards This academic-level competition tests students on
Photo Gallery: Envirothon will appear here on the public site.
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Weed Warriors |
Calling all nonprofit groups! This is a win/win fundraising program to help combat scentless chamomile and other noxious weeds in the County of Grande Prairie.
Requirements
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Classroom Agriculture Program |
Register for a Classroom Agriculture Presentation for your Grade 4 classroom and you'll receive a one-hour, in-class presentation from a local producer or agriculture professional. Classrooms that have taken part in the Classroom Agriculture Program are eligible to take part in the Youth Agricultural Tour, a hands-on experience with local farmers in the County of Grande Prairie.
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West County Watershed Society |
"Working together to create awareness and takes action to improve water quality and riparian health in the Beaverlodge River watershed." This community-based organization consists of local producers, recreational users and community members. The group works to:
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Clairmont Lake Bioswale Project |
Did you know that the health of Clairmont Lake is protected by Bioswales? Bioswales are landscape elements designed to concentrate or remove debris and pollution from surface runoff water. They are a natural filtration system that consists of a drainage swale with gently sloped sides, filled with vegetation, compost and/or riprap. With urban areas generating as much as 20 times more runoff than natural landscapes, these bioswales minimize erosion, and filter and cleanse runoff from roads in a small footprint using carefully placed vegetation, plants and soils Bioswales have tremendous environmental benefits, including:
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Resources |
Looking for more information about conservation, land stewardship, watersheds or agriculture?
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