IAF | Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)

Description

The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Program is a complementary program that provides eligible agri-food sector producers with access to consultants (known as EFP Advisors) to assist in the completion of Environmental Farm Plans. The EFP program enhances the capacity of producers to identify opportunities to adapt and respond to emerging environmental, regenerative agriculture, and climate challenges and changing environmental conditions.

What is an EFP?

The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Program is a complementary program that provides eligible agri-food sector producers with access to consultants (known as EFP Advisors) to assist in the completion of Environmental Farm Plans. The EFP program enhances the capacity of producers to identify opportunities to adapt and respond to emerging environmental, regenerative agriculture, and climate challenges and changing environmental conditions.

Program Objective

An EFP is an on-farm agri-environmental risk assessment. Its purpose is to identify potential environmental, regenerative agriculture and climate risks within a farmer and rancher’s (Producers) operations and educate them about how these risks can be mitigated.

Program Goal

The purpose of the EFP is to raise environmental awareness amongst farmers and ranchers and to improve or enhance their environmental stewardship practices and the sustainability of their operations.

The benefits of this program will include:

• Assist producers in completing new Environmental Farm Plans (EFPs)
• Assist producers in renewing existing Environmental Farm Plans (EFPs)
• Supporting producers to identify opportunities for funding through the Beneficial Management Practices program

 

Who’s Eligible for an EFP?

To be considered eligible to access the EFP Program, applicants (e.g., a farmer) need to be:

• Farm and ranch operations in BC, including First Nations agricultural operations.
• Licensed Aquaculture producer or Federally licensed Cannabis or Hemp Producers.

Note: The Advisor must verify whether a farm or ranch qualifies as an eligible participant. Farm/ranch operations or First Nations agricultural operations are eligible participants in the EFP Program. One EFP will be available to farm or ranch units in British Columbia. A farm or ranch unit:

• Generally encompasses all the farming or ranching activities associated with a single Federal Business Number (formally known as the GST number);
• Encompasses all the agricultural activities usually associated with the farm unit;
• Normally includes all contiguous farm parcels but might also include remote parcels;
• May include land leased for a term equal to or exceeding five years;
• May include Crown lease land but not Crown license land;
• May include more than one agricultural enterprise; and,
• May consist of more than one owner.

What constitutes a “farm unit” is generally evident and determined by the Advisor during the producers on farm visit. If an Advisor is uncertain of what constitutes a “farm unit,” they may seek assistance from IAF staff.

Eligible Activities

• Environmental Farm Plan development
• Environmental Farm Plan renewal
• Riparian Health Assessments

EFP Renewals

Three primary reasons for producers to update their EFP include:

• If their EFP is more than five years old.
• Changes to legislation or program priorities – Legislation and program policies and priorities are continually updated, which may require a producer to renew their EFP.
• Changes to the farming operation – A 20% or more change to acreage or animal numbers requires a renewal.

 

Implement an EFP for your farm:

Step 1: Request an EFP

Fill in the form to request an on-farm appointment with one of our friendly Environmental Farm Plan Advisors. Once you have submitted your request, IAF staff will pair you with an advisor suited to your operation.* Your Environmental Farm Plan Advisor will reach out to schedule an on-farm appointment subject to both parties’ availability.

request an EFP

Before you start – make sure you have your CRA business number and previous EFP workbook number (if applicable) on hand.

* Subject to advisor availability and program funding.

Step 2: Assess Environmental Risks

Your advisor will provide you with an EFP workbook during your on-farm appointment, this workbook is confidential and yours to keep. Your advisor will work through the workbook with you to identify any environmental risks on your farm using the colour-coded checklist.

Once all questions initially answered with (?) have been answered, an action plan has been developed to address/prioritize red/yellow box questions, and a statement of completion has been signed by both the producer and advisor; Congratulations! You now have a completed EFP!

Choose to voluntarily address these risks to implement your EFP and receive your Environmental Farm Plan sign.

Step 3: Apply for funding

Funding is available to help reduce the environmental risks identified within your EFP workbook (i.e. red box answers).

Projects that can be funded through the Beneficial Management Practices program include waste management, air quality control, emissions control, soil and riparian integrity, water quality and on-farm materials storage.

BMP funding

Step 4: Implement your EFP

To qualify for implementation of your EFP and get your EFP sign, you must complete your workbook (reviewed by an Advisor), with no outstanding items requiring attention (red box answers).

To request a sign and/or certificate upon implementation, please contact your advisor to start the process.

Step 5: Put up your EFP sign!

Once implemented, display your new Environmental Farm Plan sign to proudly show your farm’s environmental sustainability and to help us spread the word about this great program! Don’t forget to contact your advisor to renew your farm plan every 5 years.