Environment
Water Monitoring Program
Water Testing Reports
SARDA Ag Research began a water quality monitoring program in 2011, which Research Team member Shelleen Gerbig runs. Surface water samples are taken from three sites in SARDA Ag Research’s area: Peavine Creek (Municipal District [M.D.] of Smoky River), New Fish Creek (M.D. of Greenview) and the Little Smoky River (M.D. Greenview).
The sample locations chosen by SARDA Ag Research were based on the predominant type of agricultural industry the water basin flows through. The Peavine Creek mainly drains grain cropping lands, the New Fish Creek area is predominantly livestock and forages, and the Little Smoky Hamlet sample site mainly drains areas with little or no agricultural industry. Sampling occurs twice per year; late spring following the season for pre-emergent weed control and late fall following harvest. The samples are tested for nutrients, metals, bacteria and 101 different pesticides. Professional biologists at Aquality Environmental Consulting Ltd analyze the results and prepare a yearly report comparing the water quality to previous years and several indexes that reflect rural water quality in the province.
Peace Region Living Labs
The Peace Region Living Labs encompasses a large BC and Alberta Peace Region farming area. SARDA Ag Research is one partner group of nine. This project looks at the effects of Better Management Practices on soil health, productivity, and socioeconomic impact in the community. Better Management Practices include many practices such as under-seeding, cover cropping, bale grazing, vermicomposting, perennial and cocktail forage production, and forage seed production. Many projects are studied field scale and focused mainly on the producers.
SARDA Ag Research will also participate with small plot research on intercropping with new crops, soil amendments and relay cropping. We will highlight producers and producer practices already experienced in the region. Measurements recorded include soil health parameters such as soil compaction, water infiltration, temperature, and production.
For more information and to view the activities and reports on this project, visit https://peacelivinglab.ca.
Other Projects
- Environmental Farm Plans (EFP) – Shelleen is a technician and aids producers to complete their plans. More information
- Northern Sunrise County Watershed Advisory Council (WAC) – Shelleen has been an advisor to this committee for many years.
- Shelleen follows the various funding programs for producers. These currently include Canola 4R Advantage, On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF), Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP)