MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The county’s agricultural services board (ASB) has provided input on the proposed 2022 Re-Connect Farm Tour in the county.
The move came during the board’s recent, regularly-scheduled meeting, held in person and on Zoom.
“Due to the uncertainty of the pandemic and time needed to organize a tour, administration is seeking direction from the board on how to proceed with 2022 support for Open Farm Days and Re-Connect Farm Tour,” said Jane Fulton, assistant director of legislative, community and agricultural services.
“The options are to continue with a bus tour or look at alternative ways to support Open Farm Day hosts.”
Open Farms Days 2022 is scheduled to take place Aug. 13-14, 2022.
Re-Connect with the Farm tours were held in the county since 2017, with stops at local dairy and cattle ranches and other agriculture-related facilities. In 2020 and 2021 the tours were virtual.
“Many of these farms stated they would participate again and would potentially bring additional vendors onto their operations for the tour,” she said. “We have had really good uptake on the tour.”
During the March 21 ASB meeting, vice-chairman Brent Buschert said the tours are very popular and a good way to promote the region’s agricultural community.
“People really enjoy it,” said Buschert. “The questions we were getting on the bus between places were questions I never thought we’d be getting from them. I think it is a great idea.”
ASB chairman Brian Rodger added, “I have nothing bad to say about it. It was fairly exciting.”
ASB member Tietsia Huyzer added, “I think the more consumers are aware of what we as agriculture producers do here, the better consumers they will become and it enhances our quality of life for everybody. I’m in favour of an in-person bus tour.”
A wide variety of age groups have attend the tours in the past, said Fulton.
Board members passed a motion instructing administration to plan for an in-person tour in 2022, to encourage more farms to become involved, and to encourage local youth organizations to participate.
Administration will be providing an update to the ASB at an upcoming meeting, said Fulton.
The ASB is made up of appointed public members and county councillors.
Animal farm care delegation proposed
Meanwhile, board members have instructed administration to arrange a future delegation appearance by Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) officials.
AFAC is a not-for-profit organization that works to “ensure farm animals in Alberta are respected, well-care for and experience a high state of welfare through collaboration with and support of members and partners,” said Fulton.
The county has been involved with various AFAC projects in the past as a non-member, she said.
The AFAC has extended an invitation for the ASB to become a member of the organization.
“AFAC encourages participation by becoming a members and being involved in industry-driven changes that are in motion,” she said.
AFAC outreach programs include education of school children, post-secondary students and families, members heard.
