"Farming 4R Land" Nutrient Stewardship Workshop - Lethbridge, AB

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

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:

Introduction and 4R Nutrient Stewardship Overview: 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

4R Working Group Sessions: 12:45 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.

4R Planning, Performance Indicators and Group Sessions: 2:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Conclusions and Resources for Education (Online Training Course): 3:30 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Experts in Attendance:

• Dr. Tom Jensen, International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI)
• Dr. Rigas Karamanos, Viterra
• Len Kryzanowski, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
• Dr. Dan Heaney, Random Cross Consulting
• Karen Haugen-Kozyra, The Prasino Group Inc.

Detailed Agenda:

Introduction (12:00-12:45):

• 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 (Dr. Dan Heaney or Karen Haugen-Kozyra)

4R Technical Working Group Sessions (12:45-2:00):

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 three in-depth round table discussions on three of the four "R's"; Right rate, Right time, and Right place. Each of these round table (10-15 person) sessions will run for approximately 30 minutes with attendees asked to choose two of the three to attend (whichever are of most interest).

4R Planning, Performance Indicators and Group Sessions (2:00-3:30):

• Dr. Dan Heaney of Random Cross Consulting will deliver 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 plan template will be introduced and discussed by the group with specific focus on section 2 of the 4R Nutrient Management Plan Worksheets and Guidance Document ("Goals and Indicators related to Nutrients and Performance Indicators")

Conclusions and Online Training Course Overview (3:30-4:00):

• Clyde Graham and Dr. Dan Heaney will provide an overview and introduction to the newly launched 4R nutrient stewardship online training course - an eduational 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.

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.