In Saskatchewan, the Water Security Agency (WSA) introduces farmers and ranchers to the Agricultural Water Management program through a free online workshop called AgH2Onward.
The workshops will address water management techniques, obtaining drainage approvals, innovative water management methods on farm properties, and even who to hire to assist them during the approval process.
The inaugural AgH2Onward workshop took place from January 3-5th, and ongoing weekly sessions will be held until March.
Today, agricultural producers face the additional challenge of adapting to a changing climatic environment. In response to that challenge, the WSA will help producers design agricultural drainage projects adapted and resilient to weather extremes, such as floods and droughts, while increasing productivity.
"Farmers before us also adapted to change. Now, we are incredibly fortunate to live in an age where science and modelling are available so we can see the possibilities ahead of us,” said Julie Mackenzie, AgH2Oward Coordinator.
She explained that this program will help producers become more equipped to face the droughts and floods expected for the future, in addition to navigating the updated water drainage regulations. In 2015 provincial regulations were changed to require additional approvals. This program will help producers better navigate these newer regulations.
AgH2Onward hopes to have around 500 producers participate in this round of workshops, primarily as they are being held in an accessible online format during the winter months.
Specifically, the workshops will introduce tools and techniques such as strategic wetlands retention and drainage to provide critical water supply.
“We know that we're going to be faced with more weather variability and if we can set producers up with more knowledge about how to address that variability, that sets them on the course for having better production and sustainability on the farm,” said Mackenzie.
Participants will have a chance to ask questions during the interactive workshops.
Interested producers can register for any weekly workshop sessions from now until April at https://www.agh2onward.ca/.
