MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The county’s agriculture service board (ASB) has received an update on the Alternative Land Use Service (ALUS) conservation and land enhancement program in the municipality in 2024.
The review came during the ASB’s monthly meeting, held in person and online on Feb. 10.
“We did exceed the goal of acres that we had anticipated for last year, so that was great,” Lorelee Grattidge, sustainable agriculture specialist with the county, told the board.
The ALUS program consists of 1,760 farmers and ranchers in 39 communities, including Mountain View County. Projects under the program include carbon sequestration, erosion control, flood and drought mitigation, pollinator and wildlife habitat conservation.
The county’s ALUS program has 60 participants to date with more than 400 projects conserving and enhancing more than 2,300 acres of wetland, riparian and upland areas, the board heard.
Six producers were approved for ALUS projects in 2024 totalling $50,953, impacting 159 acres of wetland, riparian and upland areas. The remainder of the funds supported contract renewals, administration and outreach.
“It is estimated that MVC producers contributed approximately $58,527 to project establishment, including material costs, equipment and labour,” she said.
Eleven producers had their ALUS contacts come up for renewal in 2024.
“They renewed a total of 474 address for an additional five years with $43,606 allocated to fund the contacts,” she said.
“Additionally, pending funding, MVC ALUS projects for 2025 are eight new participants with projects covering 340 acres. Fourteen contacts are up for renewal in 2025 covering 569 acres (and) a funding request has been submitted to ALUS to renew these contacts for an additional five years.”
She noted that “all projects will be monitored on an annual basis and the farmer will be responsible for maintenance, 10 per cent of past projects will be verified by a third party annually. Riparian health assessments will be completed every five years to measure the success of the projects.”
Grattidge also reported on the Riparian & Ecological Enhancement Program (REEP) program in 2024.
In 2024, twelve REEP projects were approved totalling $34,305. As well, three follow-up riparian Health Assessments were completed on 2019 riparian and ecological enhancement projects.
During the Feb. 10 ASB meeting, ALUS associate hub manager Iris Vaisman updated board members on the national ALUS program.
The ASB is made up of county councillors and appointed members of the public. It advices the county and province on agriculture related issues, program and concerns.
