MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The county’s agricultural service board (ASB) has approved changes to the ALUS project decision considerations guidelines.
The move came by way of motion at a recent board meeting, held in person and on Zoom.
ALUS, originally known as Alternative Land Use Services, is a land conservation organization that includes properties in Mountain View County.
In January, an ALUS representative provided a presentation to the ASB on enhanced grazing and specifically the adaptive multi-paddock grazing which is supported by the grazing forward funding stream.
Following the presentation the board asked administration to bring back proposed changes to the guidelines to include enhanced grazing. Administration brought back the proposed changes on Feb. 14.
The changes include an education focus on beneficial management practices to enhance the productive farmland including enhanced gazing practices and soil health improvements.
“These practices will result in carbon sequestration, increasing biodiversity and improved drought and climate resilience,” administration said in a briefing note to the board. “Additionally, this focus will also benefit the adjacent marginal farmland, riparian zones, natural areas, and water bodies.”
The updated areas of focus for ALUS programs in the county now include the following: “Education focused on enhanced grazing practices and soil health improvements on productive farmland.”
The updated project selection guidelines now reads, “All projects funded are guided by the principles and criteria outlined in policy/procedure #6309 Riparian and Ecological Enhancement Program Funding.”
The ASB is made up of county councillors and appointed public members. It advises the county and province on agricultural issues and concerns.
