
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:
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!
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Alberta Environmental Farm Plan |
The Alberta Environmental Farm Plan is a voluntary self assessment tool that helps producers identify environmental risks on their farm.
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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:
Check the Events Calendar for upcoming workshops. Workshops for agriculture producers and other popular stewardship topics are offered throughout the year. |
Tours |
Virtual Farm ToursGrab a coffee and join us for a virtual tour of local farms! Meet the 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 2022!Full-day field trip for high school students that takes place in the springtime. Students rotate through learning stations along the Beaverlodge River to hear speakers discuss various environmental topics, including:
The tour also includes a sponsored BBQ and various in-class sessions. Any 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. |
Alberta Envirothon |
2022 Theme: Waste to ResourcesAlberta 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:
Photo Gallery: Envirothon will appear here on the public site.
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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.
Requirements
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Classroom Agriculture Program |
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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:
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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:
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Resources |
Looking for more information about conservation, land stewardship, watersheds or agriculture? Check out the following organizations for more information:
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