Coming soon to an EFP workshop near you
A new edition of the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) workbook has been launched and will be in use in EFP workshops in Alberta later this summer and early fall.
Producer participants use the workbook as the primary tool to complete an EFP, to assess the environmental impact of the production practices on their farms and ranches. Through this effort, they can gain a good understanding of how agricultural practices can affect the environment, and pinpoint those areas of their operation that need to be addressed.
"The workbook changes are simple but important in keeping the EFP workbook technically current and also from a communications perspective," says Therese Tompkins, program director of the EFP program.
"Since we started in 2003, we have been collecting feedback from producers and delivery team members at all stages of the process; workshop one, workshop two and at each EFP review. We have simply incorporated these suggestions into a new second edition of the workbook," says Tompkins.
The most obvious change is design; to enhance the EFP experience for participants.
It is now full colour, which provides more options for laying out charts and visual elements. The orientation of the pages has changed to vertical from horizontal or, what is known in computer terms, from 'landscape' to 'portrait' and the pages have been numbered sequentially from front to back for easy reference, rather than numbering each chapter individually.
The workbook content changes boil down to 16 simple but important differences to keep the EFP program up to date.
"Most of the changes relate to the ease of use of the workbook," says Tompkins. Some sections were moved to streamline the process of completing the workbook. For example, the 'Action Plan' portion of the workbook, where farmers fill in the actions against the environmental risks they identify through the chapters, was moved to the front so participants can see up front what they are working towards.
Some chapters were enhanced to improve clarity and references such as new resource, factsheet and publications have been added. Chapter 1 'Soil and Site Characteristics' was streamlined and the maps were changed from fold-out to simple, standard page versions. As well, a new 'How To Use This Workbook' section, developed in collaboration with farmer participants, was added to the front.
An area for farmers and ranchers to identify their environmental goals was added, which helps with determining priorities in their action plans. As well, a records section was created.
An obvious question is why change the workbook when it has not been in use for very long.
The first reason for change is ease of use and ultimate value to producers. "We realize farmers are taking time out of busy schedules to complete the workbook and anything we can do to improve ease of use and make the process more satisfying will encourage more producers to complete it," says Tompkins.
"Overall the content is similar to the first edition, just presented in a better way to streamline and focus delivery of the environmental stewardship message," she adds.
The second reason is incorporation of comments and suggestions. "The feedback we collect from producer participants of every workshop is very important. The delivery team, who work closely with the binder, are also an important source of feedback.
"Their comments and suggestions build up to the point of critical mass and triggers the need for change," says Tompkins. "We've simply incorporated this feedback into the new workbook.
The third reason is logistics. "We were at the point where we had to do a reprint on the workbook anyway, it just makes sense to reprint an up-to-date edition rather than the same one," she adds.
Another question is what does this mean for producers who have completed a plan or are in the process of developing one using the first edition.
"Because the two editions are so technically similar, there is no requirement for past participants to complete the new workbook. And when they return to workshop two to renew their plan, they can still use the original workbook. But if they wish to, they can return to workshop one to get the new edition for completion," says Tompkins. "At some point in the future, the first edition will be declared obsolete but that is not going to be any time soon."
The new edition was pre-tested with a focus group of farmers and facilitators before being launched province-wide. "The staff and delivery team have received hands-on training to familiarize themselves with the changes and the additions to the workbook. We will do further training through the summer for the team to completely prepare them to present it at workshops," says Tompkins.
"Then it's a matter of getting information to producers and introducing it at the workshops," she adds. "The Web site, www.albertaEFP.com, will be posting information and articles on the new workbook throughout the summer and into the fall."
This article is reprintable with credit to AEFP as follows "Reprinted courtesy of the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company; www.albertaEFP.com".
