Newly announced plans to help farmers and feedlot operators finance shelterbelts on their respective properties is a good step, says Mountain View County's deputy reeve.
“There has been a large void in the agricultural industry since the federal government cut the program two or three years ago,” said Patricia McKean. “It is good news for our farmers to get these again. They prevent erosion and help protect crops and livestock.”
Alberta Agriculture announced last week that the On-Farm Stewardship program in Growing Forward 2 now includes a shelterbelt component.
“The Growing Forward 2 On-Farm Stewardship Program helps producers implement projects and management practices that have a direct and positive impact on water quality, and improves management of inorganic agricultural wastes,” Diana Bingham, stewardship coordinator with Growing Forward 2, said in a news release.
Starting this spring funding is available for field shelterbelts for livestock shelters and to assist erosion, she said.
The program will “assist with shelterbelts around confined feeding operations to help reduce odour, but doesn't help with shelterbelts around farmyards for energy efficiency or beautification,” she said.
The cost share for shelterbelts under the program will be capped at $10,000, she said.
“These shelterbelts work best with a large number of trees so we have capped the funding allowed per tree at $5 to encourage using a large number of trees to fill out the shelterbelt,” she said.
“The project will also help fund drip irrigation systems, plastic or wood mulch, and fencing around the shelterbelt to keep livestock out.”
The new program is not retroactive, meaning interested farmers “need to get your application in before you start purchasing anything. The program will not cover anything purchased before the program application is received,” she said.
More information on the new program can be found at growingforward.alberta.ca or by calling the provincial ag-information centre at 310-3276.
Deputy Reeve McKean said area farmers, ranchers and feedlot operators should be encouraged to look into the new program.
