ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER BUSINESS SIDE 13 (J.M.) WHAT DO GRAIN FARMERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW, FIFTH EDITION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN? (MM) The latest version of the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) is available to Ontario farmers as of July 14, 2025. This updated edition incorporates current regulations, the latest research that informs best management practices, updated resources, and emerging priorities such as biodiversity and farming in a changing climate. The EFP hasn’t been updated since the fourth version was released in 2013, so it was time for a refresh. This new version still has the same look and feel as the EFP that Ontario farmers are familiar with, but with a few changes that focus on emerging areas and opportunities for farmers. Farmers should be aware that if they have begun the completion or renewal of the fourth edition EFP before the July 14 release of the fifth edition, they have until December 31, 2025, to complete it. The EFP is a confidential, voluntary tool for assessing environmental risks and is designed to help all farm owners take a whole-farm perspective to identify improvements that promote long-term sustainability, profitability, and productivity. There is no cost to farmers for participating in the EFP, and once completed, it never expires; however, we recommend renewal every five years. Currently, 43 per cent of Ontario farmers have an EFP. It is a valuable tool that can help farmers identify and implement best management practices to enhance the sustainability of their farms. I recommend that all farmers complete an EFP. For more information about the EFP, visit www.ontariosoilcrop.org/canada-ontarioenvironmental-farm-plan. WHAT HAS BEEN UPDATED IN THIS LATEST EDITION? We’re proud of the fact that the EFP has been created by farmers for farmers. Some of the changes to this new version came from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness subject matter experts and are incorporated into the format that farmers are familiar with—an opportunity to self-assess their farm operation and develop a farmspecific action plan. Updates that might interest grain farmers include an enhanced focus on ground cover, like using cover crops to build healthy soils. There is an increased number of selfassessment questions and overall content related to species habitats and biodiversity. This focus area doesn’t just cover woodlands and wetlands, but areas of connectivity for species too, like fencerows. The biggest difference between this new version of the EFP and the last one is a new chapter about farming in a changing climate. This explores how farmers can adapt to farming in new weather patterns and what they will need. For example, it addresses flood plain zones and field drainage, along with the importance of selecting crops and seed varieties that are adaptable to changing growing conditions or extreme weather. What’s new with the Environmental Farm Plan? Jeanine Moyer Business side with... Margaret May, Field Representative, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. HOW CAN FARMER COMPLETE AN EFP? The EFP consists of two parts: the selfassessment and building an action plan that is driven by the assessment results. Through this process, farmers assess their farm’s environmental strengths, pinpoint areas for improvement, and create practical action plans with timelines to enhance environmental performance and the overall sustainability of their farms. Farmers can complete an EFP, using the new fifth edition workbook, in one of three ways: • In-person: Attend a two-day workshop led by knowledgeable OSCIA staff, with opportunities to network with fellow farmers. • Virtual sessions: Participate in two, two-hour online interactive webinars delivered by OSCIA staff. • Electronic EFP (eEFP): Renew a previously-verified fourth edition EFP independently online. IS AN UPDATED EFP REQUIRED FOR FUNDING AND COST-SHARE PROGRAMS? Funding programs may be available to assist farmers in the implementation of improvements identified in their EFP action plan. These include many of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership programs, so farmers should be sure to review the application requirements of each program. We often get questions about EFP requirements for AgriInvest or other programs, and I always recommend farmers contact the program administration for opportunities that are offered by other organizations. •
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