The Rural Extension Program is available to help you learn about agriculture, environmental stewardship, conservation, and watersheds.
Upcoming Events:
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| Working Well Workshop | March 25 @ 6:30 p.m. |
Learn how to protect and maintain your well and drinking water supply. Due to popular demand, we will be offering an additional virtual workshop this winter. Register here. |
| Bumble Bee Box Workshop | April 16 @ 6:00 p.m. |
Help make your yard a more friendly place for our native bees by building your very own bee hotel! |
A wide variety of programs and technical services are available:
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Alberta Conservation Association |
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The County of Grande Prairie is pleased to partner with the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) to promote resilient soils and riparian zones in the County of Grande Prairie. The ACA has provided funds that have supplied a livestock crossing, riparian fencing, and an off-site watering system. Stay tuned for more information about the work being done in the County!
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| Watershed Projects |
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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 |
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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. Learn more!
For help with developing an application, contact the Rural Extension Officer. |
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Past Webinars and Workshops |
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Check out our recent webinar recordings here! Whether you are an acreage owner or a producer, the County hosts a variety of workshops that cover a range of relevant topics:
Check the Events Calendar for upcoming workshops. Workshops for agriculture producers and other popular stewardship topics are offered throughout the year. |
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Tours |
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Virtual Farm ToursGrab a coffee and join us for a virtual tour of local farms! Meet producers in the County of Grande Prairie and learn where your food comes from. High School Wetland TourEach spring, we offer a field trip for high school students at the Boreal Wetland Centre at Evergreen Park. We've had speakers from:
To book your class for spring 2025, contact Kate Winterford at kwinterford@countygp.ab.ca
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Open Farm Days |
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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 have the chance to share stories and learn about how farmers grow food and how that food gets to your table. |
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Alberta Envirothon |
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2025 Theme: Roots & Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change Exciting news! Alberta is set to host the 2025 International Competition at Mount Royal University in Calgary! Visit the NCF Envirothon website for more information. Alberta Envirothon helps high school students develop the knowledge, skills and experience they need to actively participate as stewards of natural resources. The Alberta Envirothon is an annual environmentally-themed education competition aimed at students in grades 9-12. 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:
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Weed Warriors |
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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 |
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| Classroom Agriculture Program | ||||
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Help students learn where food comes from and understand the value and importance of agriculture in Alberta! The Classroom Agriculture Program began delivering agriculture education to Alberta grade four students in 1985 and has been growing ever since. To date, over 600,000 students have participated in the program. This program is designed to provide Grade 4 students with a one-hour 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 |
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The West County Watershed Society is proud to be in partnership with the County of Grande Prairie and other agencies such as:
"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 |
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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. Here is an overview of the Bioswales in Clairmont:
With urban areas generating as much as 20 times more runoff than natural landscapes, these bioswales minimize erosion, 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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Bee Information |
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Bee on the Lookout
Here are some resources to help you learn more about bees:
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Resources |
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Looking for more information about conservation, land stewardship, watersheds or agriculture? Check out the following organizations for more information:
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