Growing Forward 2 has various options for farmers seeking to upgrade water systems.
Jamie Wuite, head of Alberta Agriculture’s farm water supply branch, said three water-related programs replace those in the previous Growing Forward program, which expired at the end of March. They involve on-farm water management, irrigation efficiency and regional water projects.
“Like Growing Forward 1, it’s a multi-year program. It’s for five years,” said Wuite.
“And again, there is this component of setting up an industry that anticipates and adapts to changing circumstances.”
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The on-farm water management program is designed for “standard projects” such as wells and dugouts, said Wuite.
It will cover 33 percent of costs to a maximum of $5,000 for projects that enhance farm water supply management.
Producers must have a long-term water management plan in place before they can receive funding.
“These are projects targeted at rural, domestic and livestock support,” Wuite said.
“These aren’t large-scale irrigation types of projects.”
Special projects such as well pit conversion and well decommissioning may be 50 percent cost shared to a variety of maximums depending on the case, Wuite said.
Irrigation projects are better suited for the irrigation efficiency program, which will help producers buy, install or upgrade low pressure centre pivot systems.
High efficiency nozzles, variable rate irrigation components and upgrades to centre pivot control panels may also be covered.
Producers must have a long-term irrigation management plan to qualify. GF2 will cover 40 percent of costs to a maximum of $5,000.
The regional water program has yet to be launched.
Wuite said it is designed to assist with assessment and development of water supply systems for multiple users.
Funding details and application dates are pending.
Wuite said those are the main GF2 programs directly related to water, although the food safety systems producer program, the on-farm stewardship program and various others also have “wet” aspects.
A full list of all 23 GF2 programs is available at www.growingforward.alberta.ca.
