SVCA, MVCA offer exciting new education programming

The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) and the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) are working together to deliver new programming that targets soil health and water quality as part of the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Initiative’s Education and Outreach project.

“It’s an exciting new initiative and we’re very pleased to be recipients of this grant that includes partnering with the MVCA," says Luke Charbonneau, chairman of the SVCA. “The SVCA looks forward to working with the agricultural community in the implementation of this program and continued collaborations in the future.”

“This is an all-encompassing program which will include, for example, co-ordination of cover crop demonstrations (at a minimum of five locations), a workshop series featuring topics such as cover crop options, phosphorous cycling, fertility strategies, no till, the benefits of berms and much more," says Jo-Anne Harbinson, manager of water resources and stewardship services. “Our intention is to get started as soon as possible.

“Maintaining our soil on the land is extremely important. It is the most important growing medium required for our area’s economic growth and prosperity. Keeping soil on the land also means less sediment and nutrients in the waterways. it’s a win-win situation for everyone.”

The program is also designed to provide benefits beyond the agricultural community in the Lake Huron fringe watershed streams and rivers, and is hoped to extend over a wider area of both the MVCA and SVCA watersheds. Further, the program will include an educational outreach component, featuring various programs and materials geared to special events and the school community.

The SVCA has delivered several programs in the watershed to connect with the agricultural community in the past, including the CURB (Clean Up Rural Beaches) and Healthy Futures Programs. Staff are also involved with the Pine River Watershed Initiative Network (PRWIN), the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation, the Penetangore Watershed Group, Stewardship Grey Bruce, the Grey Bruce Sustainability Network, Wellington County Rural Water Quality and Grey Bruce Alternative Land Use Services programs.

“We’re very much looking forward to partnering with the MVCA on this project," says Charbonneau, "and would like to extend a sincere thanks to the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for making this possible."