The EFP Workbook has 23 chapters. Only those chapters that relate to the participant's operation need to be completed. Each chapter is an easy-to-use checklist.
The chapters are used to review every aspect of an operation. By completing the chapters, participants gain a good understanding of how agricultural practices can affect the environment, and pinpoint those areas of their operation that need to be addressed.
Many of the environmentally sound practices described in the chapters also decrease farm inputs and costs while increasing production. Participants may also find that some of the practices are already part of their operation.
For example, crop rotation is a key element of environmentally sound farming. By simply including a legume crop in the rotation, soil nitrogen levels increase and reliance on chemical fertilizers decrease. Crop rotation also disrupts the life cycles of crop diseases and insects, reducing pesticide needs. So crop rotation helps the bottom line while benefiting soil and water quality, human health and wildlife habitat.
Completing the chapters and developing a plan are vital steps in creating an environmentally and economically sound agricultural operation.
The second edition of the workbook will be released into workshops in the fall of 2006. Overall the content is similar, just presented in a way to streamline and focus delivery of the environmental stewardship message.
Both the first and second editions were developed with the input of a broad range of technical specialists. The second edition was developed with more end user input through the incorporation of participant suggestions and a pre-launch test run with producers.
Farmers and ranchers who have completed or are in the process of completing an EFP with the first edition workbook will not be affected by the release of the second edition.
The paper used in the workbook is from a source that saves trees and reduces energy consumption. It is manufactured from 100 percent post-consumer fibre so no new trees are used in the manufacturing of the paper.
The workbook is also printed using vegetable-based ink.