You are Cordially Invited to the 'Farming 4R Land' Alberta Workshop - Airdrie

Implementing Crop Nutrient Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) on the Farm

2.0 Nutrient Management Continuing Education units (CEUs) are available to Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) for Attending the Workshop

Project Website: collaborase.com/farming4rland

These workshops will provide participants with:

• Tailored 4R Agronomic Advice
• Access to 4R Experts
• Your opinion matters: Your Farm, Your Plan, Your View!
• Learn about how your farming practices can protect the environment, provide economic opportunities and strengthen your local community.

General Workshop Overview:

Coffee Reception and Networking: 8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.

Introduction & Overview of 4R Nutrient Stewardship: 9:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m.

4R Working Group Sessions: 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Lunch and Networking Session: 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m.

4R Performance Indicators, Sustainability Pillars, and Planning: 1:15 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

4R Planning Group Sessions: 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Conclusions and Overview of the Online Training Course: 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Experts in Attendance:

• Dr. Dan Heaney, Random Cross Consulting
• Karen Haugen-Kozyra, The Prasino Group Inc.

Detailed Agenda:

Introduction and Overview of 4R Nutrient Stewardship (9:00-9:45):

• Clyde Graham of the Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI) will introduce the project, the objectives of the workshop series, and the Farming 4R Future program (PowerPoint)
• Introduce the facilitators and experts who will be leading the technical working groups
• Backgrounder on 4R Nutrient Stewardship and incentives for implementing the 4Rs

4R Working Group Sessions (9:45-12:15):

The objective of the technical sessions are to provide producers, retailers, and crop advisors with practical instruction on implementing fertilizer beneficial management practices (BMPs) on the farm using the 4R approach. The 4R concept guides farmers in using the Right fertilizer source; at the Right rate; at the Right time; and in the Right place.

The technical working group sessions will consist of four in-depth round table discussions on each of the 4 “R’s” relevant to Alberta farms. Each of these round table (10-15 person) sessions will run for approximately 45 minutes with attendees asked to choose three of the four to attend (whichever are of most interest). This session will conclude with a 15 minute discussion on the “findings” from each of the roundtables’ facilitators.

Lunch and Networking Session (12:15-1:15)

4R Performance Indicators, Sustainability Pillars and Planning (1:15-2:00):

• A brief presentation on the 4R sustainability pillars, setting sustainability goals on the farm and using performance indicators to measure/record goal setting
• The 4R Nutrient Management Plan template and guidance document will be introduced and discussed by the group
  

4R Planning Group Sessions (2:00-3:00):

• Review the 4R Nutrient Management Plan Worksheets and Guidance Document
• Have Producer fill out Section 2: Goals and Indicators related to Nutrients and Performance Indicators for each of the 4Rs from the Worksheets
  

Conclusions and Online Training Course (3:00-3:30):

• Clyde Graham will provide an overview and introduction to the newly launched 4R nutrient stewardship online training course - an educational resource offered through CFI's GrowZone e-Learning portal. The presentation will include an outline of the course content and benefits of participation, such as access to technical expertise and the chance to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through the Canadian Certified Crop Advisor Association
• The Faming 4R Land project going forward and ways to stay engaged/informed

Acknowledgements:

This project is funded through the Biological GHG Management Program, administered by Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions (AIBIO) with funding from the Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation. Launched in May 2012, the program offers financial support for projects that will discover, develop and deploy technologies and strategies and demonstrate cost-effective ways for the agriculture, forestry and waste management sectors to help meet Alberta's climate change strategy goals. Funded projects support the CCEMC mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the AIBIO mandate to grow and develop Alberta's bio-industries through science and innovation.