MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The ALUS environmental protection program is working well in Mountain View County, protecting agricultural lands across the municipality, according to the county’s agricultural service board (ASB).
Made up of appointed public members and county councillors, the ASB advises the county and province on agricultural related concerns and issues.
The board’s annual review report, signed by chairman Brian Rodger, was presented to county council as information.
“It is a pleasure to continue working with council, the county, and its residents to strengthen the roots of agriculture and to help with council’s vision of an engaged rural and agricultural community inspired by the unique and diverse qualities of our people and environment,” Rodgers said in the report.
Over the past year the ALUS program has seen 63 participants in the county, resulting in more than 400 projects that have enhanced 2,400 acres of wetland, riparian and uplands, he said.
“The ALUS program allows for an innovative community-developed and farmer-delivered program that produces, enhances, and maintains ecosystem services on agricultural lands,” he said.
“This has been a very successful and well received program for the board.”
Three ASB members representing the Mountain View County ALUS Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC) attended the ALUS West conference, which showcased producers from the Leduc and Wetaskiwin programs who have completed innovative and successful projects, he said.
“There was plenty of great discussion on engaging the public and numerous PAC members were among the delegates that came from across Canada from BC to Ontario,” he said.
ASB members also attended the 2024 provincial ASB conference in Lethbridge.
“The board received a comprehensive review of the ASB history and the acts that are administered by the boards,” he said.
“Updates were given on ag programming, along with some innovative farming ideas and practices.”
In his report, Rodgers also said this year the ASB has called for sustainable funding for the AgKnow agriculture community mental health organization.
“The ASB sent a letter of support to the Ministry of Health and Addiction, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture bringing attention to the benefit of the organization and requesting the province provide a stable funding stream for AgKnow,” he said.
“AgKnow is an organization that is front and center with these issues and is struggling to secure sustainable funding.”
The ASB was a “proud supporter of Alberta Open Farm Days again in 2024, providing support for the host farms along with facilitating the production of videos highlighting the innovations and entrepreneurship of each farm,” he said.
The ASB was also involved in the annual Aggie Days agriculture promotion and awareness event, held in Carstairs this year.
“The event was well attended with participants coming from around the county and quite a few from the Calgary area,” he said.
Council accepted the ASB annual review report as information.
