MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The county’s agricultural service board (ASB) has approved funding for a spring watering system, a dugout watering system, and a shelterbelt project.
The approvals came by way of motion at the board’s regular meeting on Aug. 18, held in person and on Zoom.
Members approved a spring watering project on the SW 17-31-04-W5 for 25 per cent of material costs to a maximum of $975, and 75 per cent of material costs for the spring/wetland fencing project to a maximum of $553 from the 2023 Riparian and Ecological Enhancement Program (REEP) budget.
Located in the Little Red Deer watershed, the project will support 50 cow/calf pairs.
Members approved funding for the dugout watering system project on NW 05-29-04-W5 for 25 per cent of the material costs to a maximum of $1,556 from the REEP budget.
Located on a tributary to the Dogpound Creek, the project will support 25 cow/calf pairs.
The board also approved funding for the 90 shelterbelt trees on the SE 06-32-01-W5 at $1.25 per tree, also from the REEP budget. The project is located in the Rosebud River watershed.
In other news from the Aug. 18 board meeting, members approved a $500 sponsorship contribution to the upcoming Farm Family Transition event featuring Elaine Froese hosted by Wheatland County in November.
Froese is a family farm coach, with the event focusing on successful farm transitions, conflict resolution, and better communication from farm families in the community, members heard.
The event will provide an option for producers to book one-hour slots with Froese to discuss their own operations one-on-one. The county will be advertising the event, including details on registration, over the coming weeks.
Members received a delegation appearance from the planned Aug. 2024 Long Table Dinner event planned for Didsbury. The event will be sponsored by the Didsbury and District Chamber of Commerce, which is in the process of applying for grants.
ASB members carried a motion to provide a letter of support for grant application.
Members also received the 2022 ASB grant report as information.
“As per the ASB grant agreement, Mountain View County is required to complete a yearly grant report. This report submitted for 2022 highlights the ASB programs and shows where legislative and environmental funding streams are utilized,” administration said.
The board received more than two dozens items of correspondence, including from rural municipalities in the province that have declared drought emergencies this summer.
The ASB is made up of county councillors and appointed members of the local agriculture community. It advises the county and province on agriculture-related issues and concerns.
