Across Alberta, the year-to-year variability of water supply is an increasing concern. Historic sources of water are frequently no longer sufficient to meet needs and farmers, ranchers and others are searching for solutions.
Producers may find some help in the Growing Forward Water Management program. The goal of the water program is to provide technical assistance and financial incentive for producers to create a Long Term Water Management Plan (LTWMP) at the farm level. It is about water security, ensuring the farm has a sustainable volume and quality of water for current and future needs.
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To be clear, this is a water management effort not an emergency assistance program, and to qualify, producers are required to complete a LTWMP and have it approved prior to beginning construction. The plan is not complicated but it does take time and commitment to complete properly. As we approach the midpoint of this four-year program, over 1,200 producers have completed this step. Most go on to build their projects in the same year. The LTWMP will give producers a solid basis for decision making. In essence, the plan is a simple assessment of three things: water needs, current water supply and some reasonable option for resolving any shortfalls. For many, the option identified has been a new well or dugout but there are other eligible options to meet a producer’s particular water supply situation.
Program support is provided for one-third of eligible costs up to $5,000. In addition, a 50 per cent of eligible costs are available for three special incentives to a total maximum of $4,000. This Growing Forward program ends March 31, 2013.
One of the benefits to this program is the access to technical assistance from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) water specialists. They have extensive experience and are available to help producers complete their plan.
The first step is to register with Growing Forward. A LTWMP template and other program information documents are available on the Growing Forward website at www.GrowingForward.Alberta.ca or can be mailed to complete the work plan step.
Producers can also get more information by calling 310-FARM (3276), the toll-free help line of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and asking for information on the Water Management Program, or to speak to an ARD water specialist.
