At one time, demonstration farms were much more common across Saskatchewan. Then, with improved communication and fewer resources, they seemed to almost become extinct. Recently, there is some resurgence of the concept, not because communication is lapsing or resources are plentiful. Instead, perhaps it has more to do with admitting that we still like to actually see crops and results of different management strategies as they are experienced in the field. However, now, due to limited budgets, demonstration farms are seldom possible without several agencies pooling their resources.
The Conservation Learning Centre (CLC) is a conservation demonstration farm which exists only due to just this kind of cooperation. Did you know that your association, the SSCA, is in partnership with Canada's Green Plan and Ducks Unlimited Canada to study and demonstrate conservation issues through the CLC? This demonstration farm near Prince Albert has been a natural extension of the activities and interests of all three groups.
The objectives of the CLC are very broad: to demonstrate and research ways of conserving soil, water, and wildlife. The target audience is even broader, as it is attempting to answer the questions of students of all ages and backgrounds. This includes the producer, the scientist, the schoolchild, and the agrologist. The nature of the CLC then is to function as a dynamic and cooperative entity.
Producers are not only represented through the SSCA partnership, but are also represented on the CLC Steering Committee itself. Half of the committee are producers, and several other members, although representing agencies, are also part-time farmers.
Producers have also shown their interest in the CLC by signing up on a special mailing list through which one can receive results and notification of workshops or field days. These are the individuals who have the most to contribute to the project in terms of practical questions to be answered. They are also the individuals who will adopt the practices which are being tested or demonstrated at the CLC.
Ducks Unlimited Canada has enthusiastically endorsed the project by supplying the site for the farm, 480 acres of land. Due to the representation of Ducks Unlimited on the Steering Committee, the CLC also benefits from their expertise in the area of forage selection, establishment, and management, all of which are included as projects at the site.
Canada's Green Plan, through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, provides the basic funding for the project. The Melfort Research Station (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Branch) has become involved through the establishment of several research projects. Some of the topics being pursued are: testing of dense nesting cover forages, direct seeding of forages and annual crops, effects of short-term alfalfas in rotation, fertilizer management within a crop rotation and variable rate fertilization across a landscape.
Agribusiness is involved as students with us, as well as contributors to the ongoing expenses and projects. Several of their researchers have been invited to conduct trials that relate to CLC interests. Equipment manufacturers, fertilizer companies, seed companies, inoculant suppliers, seed treatment companies, and herbicide companies also supply many of the cropping inputs that the farm requires. This helps extend the financial resources of the CLC so that many more projects can be carried out.
The University of Saskatchewan has also contributed, not only through the advice of its representative on the Steering Committee, but also through a number of projects which are in progress at the CLC site. In particular, the scientists provide leadership to the rest of the participants in how to conduct research in variable topography. Also, some specific projects deal with fertilizer placement and monitoring the environmental effects of our cropping practices.
PFRA staff have been very supportive of the project and have committed their resources to the CLC in several ways. The most significant and visible form of support has been through an extensive package of shelterbelt demonstrations.
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food have been supportive of the project by supplying office space. Although the CLC has developed a field office at the farm site, the provincial office space is used over the winter season. The extension staff are often involved in CLC extension activities.
This kind of cooperation has been critical to the success of the demonstration farm during the first two years of operation. We appreciate the efforts that all of our partners have contributed so far and hope that this will continue for many years to come.