Rural Extension

The Rural Extension Program is available to help you learn about agriculture, environmental stewardship, conservation, and watersheds.

A wide variety of programs and technical services are available:

Alberta Conservation Association

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!

Watershed Projects

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!

Alberta Environmental Farm Plan

The Alberta Environmental Farm Plan is a voluntary self assessment tool that helps producers identify environmental risks on their farm.

Register online to start your EFP workbook or update an EFP more than 10 years old.
Have questions? Our Rural Extension staff are also Certified EFP Technicians and will help you get started and guide you through the process.

Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) Funding

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. Apply now!

For help with developing an application, contact the Rural Extension Officer.

Workshops

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:

Dugouts
Well Maintenance
Shelterbelts and EcoBuffers
Grant Opportunities for Producers
Environmental Farm Plans
Beavers in our Landscape
Native Pollinators and Beneficial Insects
Livestock Crossings
Watersheds
Riparian Health
Regenerative Agriculture Topics

Check the Events Calendar for upcoming workshops.

Workshops for agriculture producers and other popular stewardship topics are offered throughout the year.

Tours

Virtual Farm Tours

Grab 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 Riparian Tour - Moved to a new virtual app for 2023!

Join us for a new wetland tour experience where students can form teams and use the LoQuiz App to tour the Learning and Innovation Centre at Evergreen Park!

This tour is designed to take approximately 1.5-2 hours to complete. Students will be prompted to answer questions about soils, forestry, wildlife, plants, and more.

Any junior high or high school teacher is eligible to enroll their students in the tour by contacting the Rural Extension Officer.

Open Farm Days

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.

Plan My Trip

Alberta Envirothon

2023 Theme: Adapting to a Changing Climate

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:

Forestry
Soils
Aquatic Ecology
Wildlife
A current environmental issue and its solutions
- 2022 Theme: Waste to Resources
- 2023 Theme: Adapting to a Changing Climate
- 2024 Theme: TBA

Weed Warriors

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

Your group will start the day with an educational session and orientation before heading out to the site with the County's own Agriculture Assistants.
Once the weeds on site are picked, receive a $500.00 donation.
- An extra $100.00 incentive is available for the team with the most spirit and the team that picked the most weeds!

Requirements

Participants must be a minimum of 9 years of age.
Participants must wear a team Weed Warriors shirt, gloves and sturdy footwear.
- A high-visibility t-shirt and gloves will be provided

Classroom Agriculture Program

Registration for 2023 has been extended until February 28th!

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.

Youth Agriculture Girl with basket

West County Watershed Society

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:

Increase the adoption of better management practices
Increase awareness of water conservation and local water quality issues
Take community-based action
Monitor watershed health
Support educational programs for watershed users

Clairmont Lake Bioswale Project

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:

Treating stormwater and reducing polluted stormwater runoff
Minimizing erosion
Helping to maintain the health of the Clairmont Lake

Bee Information

Bumble Bees	Honey Bees
Are native to Alberta Nest underground Are large, round and fuzzy No clear distinction between head and abdomen due to plumpness Can sting multiple times	Were introduced from Europe Nest above ground (often elevated) Are smaller, sleeker and less hairy Body has a clear distinction between head and abdomen Can only sting once

Bee on the Lookout

Bee Swarms Infographic

Here are some resources to help you learn more about bees:

Resources

Looking for more information about conservation, land stewardship, watersheds or agriculture? Check out the following organizations for more information: