Ask any big business operator and they will tell you that one of the hurdles of business growth is keeping track of the little things that were much easier when the business was smaller. At the same time, scale comes with its own advantages. Small improvements can be magnified many times in a large operation.

"One of the most common questions we get from Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) participants is 'What's the best way for large operators to tackle an EFP?'" says Dan Moe, a workshop facilitator and regional team leader for the EFP program in the Central Region.

"After putting more than 7,000 farmers through the EFP process, a couple of things are clear. One is that there's as much or more value available to larger operations by completing an EFP as there is for smaller units. Another is that most larger operators who have done a plan say they've learned some things from the process."

Here's what large operators should know about EFPs.

Plans are custom built to the operator. "It's called 'My EFP' for a reason," says Moe. "Large farms or small, it's customized to fit each operation. It's the job of workshop facilitators to walk EFP participants through this process."

That's the main reason why almost all of the EFP program's workshop facilitators are producers themselves. "Although they may not all be large farmers, they all know the business of farming well enough to respect what it means to run a large scale operation. Also, many if not most of them have experience helping large operators develop EFPs."

Break into manageable units. For producers of all sizes, one of the key steps in developing an EFP is to break a farm or ranch into manageable units. "One of the greatest potential benefits of completing an EFP is developing a greater knowledge of your land and, in the process, opening up new opportunities for efficient management. Part of that process involves stepping back and taking an overview of an operation," says Moe.

This does not always mean breaking a farm down by fenceline and location. "In fact, in the context of completing an EFP, other factors can be more reliable. Which fields have similar soil types, for example? Can you break your pasture groups down by types of grassland?"

Records win the day. Record-keeping is key to getting the most from business and the same holds true for the EFP process, says Moe. "It's just a good all-around practice that can help producers of all sizes improve their management practices and, in some cases, protect them from a legal perspective. Field records, aerial photos and other records can all help. The EFP workbook itself can act as a central resource that producers can return to again and again for key information on their operations."

Renter or owner? "A common question we're asked at workshops is 'Who is the best person to do an EFP, the renter or the owner?' Although the ultimate answer to that question depends on the situation, one general rule of thumb we use is sphere of influence. Who is going to be most affected by on-farm environmental action or a lack of action? Who is ultimately responsible if something goes wrong? Those are the kind of questions producers should ask themselves."

Who does the EFP? Owner, staff, spouse, partner, family – who is best to actually attend the EFP workshops? "The EFP process is primarily intended as a learning opportunity, so some people like to use it as a training opportunity as well," says Moe. "We've seen couples take on the process as a team, and we've even seen whole families getting involved. If you wish, the EFP team can help you decide."

Bigger picture perspective. There are also perspectives on the environment that are not necessarily business driven, says Moe. "Many producers are developing a new perspective on wildlife habitat, for example. They're thinking differently about water management. They're thinking about how the environment works in the context of lifestyle and the bigger picture needs of society.

"Everyone can benefit from that thinking. However, often large operations have a particular interest in this because they have a larger land base from which to harvest that value.

"Although there is no guarantee of financial reward from developing an EFP, we're seeing more and more consumers today demand a higher standard of environmental stewardship from producers. More often than not, operators of larger operations have a finger on the pulse of consumers and are aware of the growing connection between environmental sustainability and brand development. An EFP can act as an anchor point for producers exploring these opportunities.

"Some large farmers say that with the scale of their farm operations, they just don't have the time to devote to doing an EFP. Our argument is that an EFP is just like many other valuable management tools – producers need to make sure they are planning for the success of their farms regardless of size or the time required."

The information on this website is available for reprint with credit to "The Alberta Environmental Farm Plan, www.albertaEFP.com".
Article development courtesy of The Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company