AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD MEETING November 12, 2020
1.0 Call to Order at 9:30 a.m.
2.0 Adoption of Agenda 2.1 November 12, 2020 Agenda Pg. 1
3.0 Adoption of Minutes 3.1 September 2, 2020 ASB meeting minutes Pg. 2
4.0 Follow Up Action Plan Pg. 6 4.1 Follow Up Action Plan
5.0 New Business 5.1 Photo/Poster Contest Calendar Pg.10 5.2 2018 ASB Strategic Plan Review Pg. 11 5.3 Livestock Emergency Involvement Pg. 30
6.0 Delegation
7.0 Correspondence
7.1 Mowing Map Pg. 31 7.2 Spraying Map Pg. 34 7.3 ASB Fact Sheet Pg. 35 7.4 Clean Farms Pg. 38 7.5 NSWA Annual Report Pg. 40
8.0 Reports
8.1 Agricultural Fieldman Report Pg. 47 8.2 Agricultural Environmental Coordinator Pg. 48
9.0 Closed Session 9.1 Legal, Land, Labour
10.0 Adjournment
1 - 1- LAMONT COUNTY
AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD, LAMONT COUNTY, HELD AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AT LAMONT ON September 2, 2020
PRESENT: Chairman Daniel Warawa - Division 1 Councillor Wayne Woldanski - Division 2 Councillor Roy Anaka - Division 4 Councillor Neil Woitas - Division 5
ABSENT: Reeve David Diduck - Division 3
ALSO, PRESENT: Stephen Hill - County Manager Terry Eleniak - Agricultural Fieldman Heather Atkinson - Communications Coordinator Krista DeMilliano - GOA Key Contact Johnathan Strathdee - Legislative Services Officer Betty Koziak - Executive Assistant
1.0 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Warawa called the meeting to order at 1:08 p.m.
2.0 AGENDA: 20-028:WOLDANSKI: THAT the agenda be accepted as amended.
With the following additions: • 5.7 Vehicles • 9.2 Inspections • 9.3 Labour CARRIED
3.0 MINUTES: 20-029:WOITAS: THAT the minutes of the March 2, 2020 meeting be adopted as presented. CARRIED
4.0 OLD BUSINESS: 4.1 Follow Up Action Plan
20-030:WOLDANSKI: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board accept the Follow Up Action Plan as information. CARRIED
2 - 2- LAMONT COUNTY
AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD Reeve Diduck joined the meeting at 1:22 p.m.
5.0 NEW BUSINESS: 5.1 ASB Bylaw
20-031:ANAKA: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board recommend that the Agricultural Service Board Bylaw be brought to Lamont County Council meeting for consideration. CARRIED
5.2 Municipal Right of Way Bylaw
20-032:WOLDANSKI: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board recommend that the Municipal Right of Way Bylaw be sent back to Administration for amendments and brought to the next ASB meeting for consideration. CARRIED
5.3 Agricultural Appeal Board Bylaw
20-033:DIDUCK: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board recommend that the Agricultural Appeal Board Bylaw be brought to a Lamont County Council meeting for consideration. CARRIED
5.4 Alberta Invasive Species Sponsorship
20-034:WOLDANSKI: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board defer this request and include it in the 2021 budget proposal and follow up with the Alberta Invasive Species Council explaining the reasoning. CARRIED
5.5 Farm Safety Centre Letter
20-035:WOITAS: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board accept the April 1, 2020 & July 13, 2020 Farm Safety Centre letters as information and bring forward to the 2021 Budget process. CARRIED
5.6 2020 ASB Regional Conference
20-036:DIDUCK: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board attend the Virtual Northeast ASB Conference on October 27, 2020. CARRIED
3 - 3- LAMONT COUNTY
AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD
20-037:WOLDANSKI: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board direct Reeve Diduck to request MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk to invite Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Devin Dreeshen, to meet with the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board at his convenience. CARRIED
5.7 Vehicles
20-038:WOITAS: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board accept the report on vehicles as information. CARRIED
6.0 DELEGATION: No Delegations this month
7.0 CORRESPONDENCE: 7.1 Provincial ASB Grant Response
20-039:WOITAS: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board approve the Correspondence as information. CARRIED
8.0 FIELDMAN, OPERATION & GOA KEY CONTACT REPORTS: 8.1 Agricultural Fieldman Report 8.2 ASB Operation Report 8.3 GOA Key Contact Report
20-040:WOITAS: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board accept the Fieldman Report, Operations Report and the GOA Key Contact Report as information. CARRIED Chairman Warawa recessed the meeting at 3:20 p.m. Chairman Warawa reconvened the meeting at 3:35 p.m.
9.0 Closed Session 20-041:DIDUCK: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board move the meeting In Closed Session to discuss legal, labour, and land issues at 3:38 p.m. (MGA, Chapter M-26.1, Sec. 197(2), FOIP F25 Sec. 16)
4 CARRIED - 4- LAMONT COUNTY
AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD
Open Session 20-042:WOLDANSKI: THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Service Board move the meeting to Open Session at 4:29 p.m. CARRIED
10.0 ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Warawa adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
______Daniel Warawa Terry Eleniak ASB Chairman Agricultural Fieldman
5 Lamont County
Request for Decision
Meeting: Agricultural Service Board Meeting Date: October 7, 2020 Presented By: Terry Eleniak, Agricultural Fieldman
Title: Follow Up Action Plan Agenda Item No: 4.1
BACKGROUND / PROPOSAL:
DISCUSSION / OPTIONS / BENEFITS / DISADVANTAGES:
COSTS / SOURCE OF FUNDING:
RECOMMENDED ACTION (by originator):
THAT Lamont County Agricultural Service Board accept the follow up action plans as information.
Author: Supervisor: Manager:
6 FOLLOW UP ACTION LIST ACTION MEETING (DATE) ITEM/NOTES WHO (LEAD) ACTION (TO/VIA) (TO/VIA) ASB February 5, 2020 18-087 Farming in Municipal Right-of-Ways Johnathan ongoing
19-032; 19-039 Corner Brushing on CN & CP Track ROW Terry completed Stephen/Johnat 19-097; 20-009; 20-010 Warello Contract han/Terry completed 19-122 Beaver Bounty Johnathan ongoing
20-004 CN Vegetation Control Terry completed 20-005 Yard Site Beautification Awards Historical Plaques Bonnie ongoing 20-006 Policy 6010 Agricultural Service Board & Policy 6012 Agricultural Service Board Chairman Johnathan ongoing 20-007; 20-008 Grain Bag Roller Rental Rates Terry ongoing 20-014 Comprehensive review on information received; Policies 6095 & 6070 review Johnathan ongoing ASB September 2, 2020 20-032 Municipal Right of Way Bylaw Johnathan ongoing
20-034 Alberta Invasive Species Sponsorship Terry completed 20-035 Farm Safety Centre Letter Terry ongoing
20-037 Meeting with Minister of Agriculture Terry completed ASB November 12, 2020
7 Have a Grain Bag Rental Fee / Deposit Concerns Kneehill County had until last year, $50/day. Signed agreement dispersed entire rental and bring back clean insurance weighed in that they fleet end the program as it put the County at significant risk. Concerns about the liability and spread of disease from the roller.
Clear Hills Yes No rental fee, $50 damage deposit encourage producers to bale them and bring them to collection sites
MD Greenview yes $125/ day unmanned if they have to deliver there is an hourly charge for delivery
Saddle Hills County yes no fees only damage deposit they deliver
Vulcan County yes $75 per day with $200 deposit rental rate currently under review and may increase rate to $150/day and options for damage deposit
Lacombe County yes No charge to landowners, they just want them to run program from November to participate and recycle. March. Don’t have enough grainbags so they Partnered with 2 neighbouring municipalities. All municiplaities are invoiced equally each year. They travel out to landowners, owner must call and arrange appt time. Owner must supply another person. To roll bags is a 2 person job. They store bag at one of the local transfer sites. Currently transport them on a flatdeck, but mileage is killing them.
8 Vermillion River yes 2 grain bag rollers no charge or rental fee. Ratepayers pick up and return unit and haul their own rolls to Vermillion site Proposed idea of sending staff with the roller or charging for sending staff with the roller to roll to Council. Concern was that we have poor uptake of program currently and we spend a lot of staff time rolling poorly wrapped bags dumped at our site. Their decision was that the County wouldn't pay for staff time to roll grain bags and that we were pretty sure our producers would keep burning bags rather thatn recycling if they had to pay to get the roller even with help. We provide the roller as a service in hope that farmers will recycle rather than dump bags in the bush, but we won't put any added money into the program over providing opportunities.
Yellowhead County yes no rental fee or damage deliver it to farm free of charge. deposit Give farmer demo on how to use it and help them first bale then leave them with the equipment for a couple days and then go back and pick it up along with their rolled bales.
MD of Peace No. 135 yes $50/day and $200 deposit no specific policy, but a rental agreement. Producer transports unit to and from the MD yard
Cypress County yes no charge Not many producers interested in wanting to use the roller. Had many bags show up in piles at transfer sites and it's a nightmare to have to clean them and roll. Policy going back to Council to let producers do more and add a rental fee.
9 Lamont County
Request for Decision Meeting: Agricultural Service Board Meeting Date: November 12, 2020 Presented By: Bonnie Chudyk, ASB Administrative Assistant
Title: Photo & Poster Contest Calendar Agenda Item No: 5.1 BACKGROUND / PROPOSAL: Lamont County Agricultural Services department annually hosts a Poster and Photo contest for students and ratepayers of the County. To show our gratitude, we are looking to utilize the entries as much as we can for everyone to see. From 2019 moving forward, the Poster Contest has been removed due to lack of participation from the schools.
DISCUSSION / OPTIONS / BENEFITS / DISADVANTAGES:
We have many pictures and posters on file that we need to utilize. They are currently being used in brochures and online postings. An idea brought forward was to make a calendar to hand out to ratepayers; give to schools; give to local businesses in town to hand out; use in both Lamont County buildings; Council Chambers and hand out at business meetings. This helps promote our County in a positive way. With the hard work that the students do for the posters and the favorite photos that ratepayers hand in, a calendar would be a great payback. As a Thank you to the schools, giving some to each to use would bring smiles to the Students faces when they “may see” their poster on the calendar. It is the little things that everyone remembers. The secretaries usually have one sitting on their desks.
After researching a few styles, I recommend the desk top calendar as not everyone has a place to hang a calendar and some would like it at their desk.
To fill the 13 pages of the Calendar, it would be 6 from the poster and 6 from the photo contest.
COSTS / SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The Marketer in Vegreville: $2235 for 250 calendars = $ 8.94 ea $3895 for 500 calendars = $7.70 ea Quote: Calendar Finished size: 6.5" x 4" plus the Easel (the part that makes the calendar sit/stand) so that would make the Total height size at 5". 13 flip sheets - front page + 12 months double-sided, 4/4, on 100lb silk cover, coiled for easy flipping Easel - 4/0, 130 lb silk cover - Lamont County logo and contact info can be printed on easel so it's always displayed at the bottom.
Quantity: 500 for $3895 + gst Includes design and printing. Shipping extra.
Cost will be split between ASB and Economic Development. To share the cost, each department will be ordering 250 calendars. All other departments were approached with no reply or interest.
The cost is comparable to the big box companies and to keep it local, this will support the small businesses.
RECOMMENDED ACTION (by originator): THAT Lamont County Agricultural Service Board approve the purchase of 500 desk top calendars from The Marketer for the cost of $3895 plus tax and shipping.
Author: Supervisor: Manager: P:\Council & Committees\ASB\2020\November meeting info\5.1 Photo Contest Calendar.doc 10 Lamont County
Request for Decision Meeting: Agricultural Service Board Meeting Date: November 12, 2020 Presented By: Terry Eleniak, Agricultural Fieldman
Title: 2018 ASB Strategic Plan Review
Agenda Item No: 5.2
BACKGROUND / PROPOSAL:
Enclosed is our current 2018 ASB Strategic Plan. This has been brought forward on many occasions because it is a live document identifying the roles of both the ASB and a measuring tool of our programs. The time to review is perfect as Council is going into Budget deliberations this fall and changes in level of service could be altered.
DISCUSSION / OPTIONS / BENEFITS / DISADVANTAGES:
The Strategic Plan is a lengthy document that needs to be reviewed annually, so the municipality needs are being met. More importantly this is part of our grant application that we need to amend if there are any changes prior to our grant submission.
ASB Department has started planning meetings to review the live document and bring forward ideas and changes as it has been since 2018 that the document has been reviewed.
-Copy will be given out at meeting.
COSTS / SOURCE OF FUNDING:
N/A
RECOMMENDED ACTION (by originator):
THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Services Board direct administration to review the 2018 ASB Strategic Plan bring forward any amendments to the next ASB meeting.
Author: Supervisor: Manager:
P:\Council & Committees\ASB\2020\November meeting info\5.2 2018 ASB Strategic Plan RFD.doc 11 2
LAMONT COUNTY 2018 ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
12 LAMONT COUNTY ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
Situation Statement
Lamont County Overview
Lamont County is situated 62 km north east of Edmonton the provincial capital of Alberta. The total land base is 2385.91 square kilometers. Lamont County has an industrial zoned area called the industrial heartland which makes up 197 square kilometers.
The county contains predominately black chernozemic soils with variations of solodized solonetz soils in the lower half of the county. Lamont County’s sub-regions are mainly parkland with the north end of the county getting into the boreal forest sub-region.
Agricultural production ranges from cereals, oil seed and pulse in the arable parts of the county. Majority of the cattle production in Lamont County is commercial cattle production with only a handful of purebred producers. The county only has two dairy operations left and currently there is no large scale hog or poultry operations. Other agricultural production includes greenhouses, bison, sheep and goat production. Lamont County has 753 registered farms, with 371,871 acres being in crops. Lamont County has the second largest Barley acreage in the northeast region.
The population as of the 2016 census is a total of 8532 people and this includes all 5 municipalities with Lamont County’s border. There are a total of 3899 rural residents that live in 4633 dwellings which results in a population density of 1.6 people per kilometers.
The North Saskatchewan River borders the entire north part of the county with many larger creeks running into it such as Egg Creek and Limestone Creek. The larger bodies of water include Whitford Lake, Beaver Hill Lake and DryGrass Lake.
Introduction
This ASB Strategic Plan outlines our key goals and strategies that are practiced by Lamont County’s Agricultural Service Board. The plan focuses on the promotion of sustainable agriculture and the need to preserve environmentally precious areas within the county.
Lamont County needs are assessed through one on one contact with individual landowners and surveys.
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13 LAMONT COUNTY ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
Order of programs priority actions selected by Lamont County’s ASB for 2015
1. Weed Inspection and Enforcement 2. Vegetation Control Brush and Grass Mowing 3. Agricultural Pest Management 4. Education and Awareness 5. Policies and Procedures 6. Problem Wild life/ Animal Health 7. Environmental Programs 8. Soil Conservation Act 9. Awareness and Education 10. Rental Equipment
ASB Program History
The Alberta Provincial legislature passed the Agricultural Service Board Act into law in 1945. This act was put in place to synchronize effort between the Department of Agriculture and rural municipalities in the interest of developing policies and programs of mutual interest and concern. Lamont County established and Agricultural Service Board in 1945 along with 12 other municipalities that year. This act then gave municipalities the authority to enforce the following acts: The Weed Control Act, The Soil Conservation Act, The Agricultural Pest Act, and the Animal Health Act.
Lamont Count Agricultural Service Board (ASB) consists of 5 members of council and no farm members at this time. The Ag Service Department is managed by one Agricultural Fieldman, one Assistant Agricultural Fieldman, Administrative Assistant, who are employed full time. The department also has 7 seasonal staff that assist or operate different programs.
ASB Environmental Program History
Lamont Beaver County Partnership
Beaver and Lamont Counties participated with the grant funding when the program’s started. The Agricultural Service Boards of the Municipalities decided to become a partnership to capitalize on resources and provide a staff member that landowners could speak to about environmental issues within the municipalities. This partnership has changed to the Environmental Streamline of the ASB Grant.
Under the funding stream model of the 2011 – 2013 Environmental Program Proposal, the Service Boards felt that it was beneficial to return to the former structure of having an in-house resource person for landowners to access. This was accomplished by the Agricultural Fieldman in Lamont County working with the Assistant Page 2 of 17
14 LAMONT COUNTY ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
Agricultural Fieldman in Beaver County, to plan and carry out various activities. These individuals are appointed by the municipalities, under their authority in the ASB Act, to have a qualified individual in place to carry out Agriculture related programs. Activities were carried out and alternated between the municipalities focusing on target regions where the information would be most applicable.
After much discussion by the Agriculture Service Board’s of Beaver County and Lamont County it was felt that the same structure that was used in 2011-2013 should be carried forward into the 2014-2016 and 2017-2019 grant applications. Both municipalities agreed that it is of mutual benefit to share resources and staff to reach producers across a wider landscape. Issues of water awareness and water quality have always been identified as an area of importance for Beaver and Lamont and will continue to be a main focus of the environmental programming that is developed for producers. The two municipalities fall within 2 main watershed areas which are the North Saskatchewan, including the Vermilion River, and the Battle River and therefore each municipality has a significant interest in watershed programming.
A strong commitment has been made by producers, in the municipalities, to examine environmentally sound agricultural practices and Environmental Programming also includes promotion of the new Canadian Agricultural Partnership Funding and producer completion of the Environmental Farm Plans. (EFP) 2018 forward we work to continue to update and assist producers with updating out of date EFP’s.
If producers have further requests for activities, or it is determined that the needs in a particular municipality have changed then the new areas of concern will be added to the plan where feasible and reported with the performance measures.
Over the course of our programming we will also be accessing a number of resources through Non-for-profit organizations, research groups and local agri-businesses. Each municipality has a diverse working relationship with the local watershed groups, such as North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance, Vermillion River Watershed Alliance, and Battle River Watershed Alliance, and also groups related to local land use planning such as the Beaverhills Initiative and the Industrial Heartland projects.
Cows and Fish, the Battle River Research Group, the Environmental Farm Plan program and funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership have also helped resource staff carry out programs that relate to riparian health, water quality, soil conservation and beneficial management practices. It is hoped that through
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15 LAMONT COUNTY ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
our planned programs these partnerships can continue over the long term to meet the needs of our ratepayers.
In the past local agribusinesses have been engaged in providing support to environmental programming and we hope that by having a direct contact in each municipality we can strengthen this partnership to increase our access to producers seeking out information on making practice changes to their operations.
Both municipalities have also made a number of connections with resource staff in Alberta Agriculture and Forestry as well as in Agriculture and Agri-food Canada that relate to environmentally sustainable agriculture. As programs are prepared these resource staff will be key contacts in delivering current information to local producers and providing technical assistance to producers when they are looking to implement beneficial management practices for their operation.
Vision Statement
We are an Agricultural Service Board that supports and serves our farmers and ratepayers by providing services and programs aimed at protecting agricultural land while encouraging sustainable growth
Mission Statement
Lamont County Agricultural Service Board will support programs and services aimed at protecting agricultural land to improve the economic well-being of the farmer. The ASB Department develops programs and policies to meet the agricultural needs of the County. Agricultural land will be protected by fair enforcement of legislation designated by the Agricultural Service Board Act. Promotion actions include Best Management Practices, encouraging sustainable agriculture and conserving agricultural land.
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16 LAMONT COUNTY ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
Core Values
Conservation: We believe in the importance of conserving our natural resources, traditional agriculture and the family farm Conservation: Promoted through the conserving of our natural resources, agricultural lands, and the agricultural industry
Client Focus: We believe in doing our best to meet the needs of every client who contacts our office in search of assistance, knowledge or results. Client Focus: Strive to create a positive relationship through effective communication and up date information to assist every client who contacts our office
Program Delivery: We believe in providing the most information possible to all program participants and ensuring the needs of the participants is met Program Delivery: Work to continually improve program deliverance and information provided to continually meet the needs of the stakeholders in the Lamont County agriculture industry.
Agricultural Service Board Key Goals (need to add more detail per item
1. HAVE AN ACTIVE AND EFFECTIVE, ASB DELEGATED BY THE AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD ACT 2. TO ACTIVELY AND FAIRLY ENFORCE THE WEED CONTROL ACT OF ALBERTA 3. ASSIST PRODUCERS IN COMPLYING WITH ANIMAL HEALTH ACT OF ALBERTA 4. TO ACTIVELY AND FAIRLY ENFORCE THE SOIL CONSERVATION ACT OF ALBERTA 5. TO ACTIVELY AND FAIRLY ENFORCE THE AGRICULTURAL PEST ACT OF ALBERTA 6. TO INCREASE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EDUCATION AND AWARENESS 7. PROVIDE SPECIALTY SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS AND RATEPAYERS
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17 LAMONT COUNTY ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
8. SHOW APPRECIATION AND RECOGNITION OF RATEPAYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE IN LAMONT COUNTY 9. PROMOTE AND PROTECT AGRICULTURAL LAND WHILE ENCOURAGING SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT 10. PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTANABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY 11. TO IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN WATER QUALITY IN LAMONT COUNTY
GOAL 1: TO HAVE AN ACTIVE AND EFFECTIVE, ASB DELEGATED BY THE AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD ACT
Strategies Actions Performance Activities Measures Measures 1.1 Orientation of Learn how to run Number of Orientation was All new members council and ASB an effective members that held attended members meeting using participated in “Robert’s Rule of Robert’s Rule class Order”, Agenda or video Forms, Prior minutes, etc 1.2 Orientation of Complete ASB Chairman completed 2 new councilors ASB Chairman Chairman meeting As of 2017 orientation management course separate so they understand roles and responsibilities 1.3 Create and Review & up-dated Reviewed in March Will be reviewed In Progress utilize ASB Strategic semi-annually & September each Plan as a “living” year document 1.4 Create, review Review all policies 31 Policies reviewed Policies were 30 ASB Policies & promote effective biennially and approved brought forward policies that 1 Policy Recinded support the ASB goals 1.5 Foster effective Regular, pre- Eight meetings set 6 meetings have Board determined ASB each December been held in 2018 Communication meetings with minimal cancellations
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18 LAMONT COUNTY ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
GOAL 2: TO ACTIVELY AND FAIRLY ENFORCE THE WEED CONTROL ACT OF ALBERTA Strategies Actions Performance Activities Measures Measures 2.1 Actively Have an active Hired two seasonal Interviews were 2 Weed Inspectors monitor land weed inspection Weed Inspectors and held and hiring 1 vegetation within Lamont program Vegetation completed early in management position County Management the year 1381 inspections Technician 1 weed notice given for:
Use technology Weed tablets are Inspections Both weed tablets to identify and used to gather and completed and were used to complete monitor monitor infestation tracked inspections levels Keep yearly Number and location Concentrate efforts 1381 Inspections were records of of fields inspected in on problem areas completed for noxious inspections each region for each weeds and prohibited year to monitor noxious weeds infestations of noxious and prohibited noxious weeds Inspect County 3 year rotation R-O- Scheduled Spraying Roadside Spraying R-O-W and W spray program; route is completed 571.14Kkm; Municipal land Mowing program with the addition of 354.89 miles for noxious and and encouraging Spot Spraying prohibited ratepayer weeds and brush noxious weeds compliance when necessary Produce monthly Reports were Inspectors gave two reports in season to completed reports to the ASB show levels of weed throughout the season. infestations within the county
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Determine No herbicide due to Hand pick County R- 3 areas were Areas that water proximity and O-W completed; cannot be fragile vegetation 3 miles in total sprayed in the R-O-W application Actions Performance Activities Measures Measures
Enforced weed Controlling the 3 weed notices control act spread of weeds delivered in 2018 to Sil When there was Silica no compliance No enforcement required. Worked with landowner to get compliance on notices Coordination Kubota and driving Inspected Highways More weed control on with Carillion grid were used and abandoned Alberta Transportation and CN for railway ROW with better weed problems communication CN/CP still a challenge to deal with
GOAL 3: TO ASSIST PRODUCERS IN COMPLYING WITH ANIMAL HEALTH ACT
Strategies Actions Performance Activities Measures Measures 3.1 Assist Assist producers Number of Assist Producers 5 producers Producers with with age verifying producers assisted assisted animal health their calves Act as issues 3rd party verifier Host workshop to Number of people none No workshop educate producers who receive completed Page 8 of 17
20 LAMONT COUNTY ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
about age information or verification and number of people distribute who attend information on age workshop verification 3.2 Develop a Review and Update created a mock Information was Plan was Livestock Livestock disaster to practice brought to the determined that Emergency Carcass Emergency ASB landfill area would Carcass have to accept Disposal Plan carcasses due to soil characteristics. 3.3 Develop a Review and update Public Forum 2018 Grant Livestock Livestock Table Top plan funding received Plan created and Emergency Emergency created to complete plan added to trailer Management Plan Management Plan and associated Staff trained action Annual review of plan
GOAL 4: TO ACTIVELY AND FAIRLY ENFORCE LEGISLATION DELEGATED BY THE AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD ACT
Strategies Actions Performance Activities Measures Measures 4.1 Actively and Promote BMP’s for Host a joint Programs 40 Producers fairly enforce the agricultural workshop with promoted attended Water Soil Conservation sustainability Beaver County and through growing workshop which Act measure success by forwad2 talked about how many people erosion problems. attend Monitor high risk Number of locations areas for erosion inspected Grass seeded on Work with Public For bank Seeded with grass 5 location, 7 miles completed Works to stabilization and seeder behind construction develop annual erosion reduction kubota and by hand Page 9 of 17
21 LAMONT COUNTY ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN projects to prevent grass seeding soil/water erosion map Work with Construction department to utilize top soil of road reclamation instead of disposal
Work with Alberta Environment to assess areas which may require enforcement or mitigation.
GOAL 5: TO ACTIVELY AND FAIRLY ENFORCE THE AGRICULTURAL PEST ACT OF ALBERTA Strategies Actions Performance Activities Measures Measures 5.1 Actively and -Fieldman are Number of tablets/ Provide producers ?? pills of 1080 fairly enforce the accredited to bottles distributed with products for distributed Agricultural Pests distribute 1080 & pest control 17 bottles of act strychnine for strychnine pest control distributed
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Actively monitor Re-inspect Fields were 120 Fields were for clubroot previously restricted surveyed surveyed and 19 fields for Clubroot; throughout Lamont fields positive insure compliance of County Completing up to fields in restriction approximately 1 150 fields every 6 miles. Participate in pest Number of fields All requested 28 fields for surveillance surveyed for surveys from grasshoppers; programs grasshoppers, Alberta Ag were Black Leg surveyed blackleg, fusarium completed no results yet; 12 and Bertha Army fields for fusarium; worms, Wheat fields( 4 traps) for Midge, Swede Bertha Army Midge, Diamond Worms Back Moths and For all insect Emerald Ash Borer surveys, no significant numbers found Help producers Number of predation Livestock predation 10 predation with problem wild calls each year calls inquiries life such as Mostly Coyotes predation 1 wolf problems 1 Cougar Help producers Number of skunk Supplied ratepayers 0 rat trap given out with problem trap rentals and rat/ with traps Skunk trap was pests such as raccoon inspections rented ? times Rats, Raccoons, and skunks. Respond to calls Number of call Monitor or wild 2 calls received on wild boars in received in regards boar in Lamont No confirmed the area and work to wild boars and County sightings with other number of counties that inspections that have bordering occurred. issues.
GOAL 6: TO INCREASE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
Strategies Actions Performance Activities Measures Measures
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6.1 Improve Create a forum for Hosts an open house none Attended open communication open dialogue for county house with between Council, between ratepayers ratepayers to attend Lamont County in ASB, and ASB and give Feedback St. Michael Administration and on ASB programs & ratepayers services Create open Number of regular Meetings held 1 Meeting held dialogue between meetings held every month ASB & Administration Hosted a Clubroot 25 people Workshop attended
6.2 Improve Implementation of 1 overall flyer ASB report ASB section ratepayer County submission on ASB located in the understanding of Communication programs reeves report county programs plan annually Utilize media & Updates to County Have information New material internet for website & on county added monthly to program updates on advertising in website and the site and in the pests, management Lamont Leader Lamont leader County In-Focus strategies, control regularly section options, etc ASB County Tour Annual Yard Site Tour is held 5 yards are visited Beautification Awards Tour
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GOAL 7: PROVIDE SPECIALTY SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS AND RATEPAYERS Strategies Actions Performance Activities Measures Measures 7.1 Promote the Liaison for 10,000+ trees Many calls No trees dropped Shelterbelt Tree Shelterbelt distributed each year inquiring about off or picked up Program program Shelterbelt trees. Forward them the information from Tree Time.ca; Prairie Tech; Prairie Shelterbelt program
Rental Equipment Promote Rental Amount of revenue Rental equipment 9 Rentals $380.00 Equipment earned each year available for rent made from rental Program equipment
7.2 Haying Right of Permit ratepayers Number of permits No permits were 3 permits were Ways to hay county R- issued issued issued O-W’s as an alternative to herbicide treatments for weed control 7.3 Reverse Provide weed Number of reverse Advertising was 0 reverse Fenceline Fenceline spray control for County fenceline jobs completed for the was completed program ratepayers along completed program fencelines 7.4 Rock Removal Joint program Number of miles No rock program in County ROW with PW to completed took place removal rocks from County ditches 7.5 No Spray Provide Number of No Spray No sprays were 24 Locations were Program ratepayers with a agreements registered registered as No Spray area & registered /old signs organic farmers to control Noxious removed and must weeds in County register yearly R-O-W’s adjacent to their property
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GOAL 8: SHOW APPRECIATION AND RECOGNITION OF LOCAL RATEPAYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE IN LAMONT COUNTY
Strategies Actions Performance Activities Measures Measures 8.1 Host/hold Held annually Number of Events were held All events were events that Beautification Tour, participants each and were held showcase BBQ, Photo year successful Agricultural Farmer Contest, Poster Appreciation Contest Banquet, Yard Site Beautification Awards Tour for producers within Lamont County AMA Northlands Nominate every 2nd Completed Farm Family Award year 8.2 Emergency Stock and test Number of times Available for Turned over to Livestock Trailer trailer to ensure it used; stored at emergency Emergency is functional central location situations Services to put into operation
8.3 Brushing Clean corners and Distance Completed Create priority ?? corner brushing County R-O-W’s map and execute requests have with mulchers to been issued and aid visibility ROW brushing in process
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26 LAMONT COUNTY ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
GOAL 9: PROMOTE AND PROTECT AGRICULTURAL LAND WHILE ENCOURAGING SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
Strategies Actions Performance Activities Measures Measures 9.1 Provide Agricultural Number of times Helped planning 4 times Technical expertise Fieldman is consulted development to other County consulted on land Departments use issues that including Public have impacts, Works and actual and Planning and potential, on Development agricultural sustainability
ENVIRONMENTAL STREAMLINE GOALS
GOAL 10-1: TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
Strategies Actions Performance Activities Measures Measures 10-1.1 Host events Promote Number of growing Assisted 5 producers That showcase the Environmental Farm forward applications producers with assisted importance of plans and growing assisted with growing forward environmental forward programs to applications sustainability/ improve farm responsibility practices environmentally Number of Provide Producers 3 producers environmental farm with EFP assisted with EFPs plans producers information or inquire about EFPs
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27 LAMONT COUNTY ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
GOAL 11-2: TO IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN WATER QUALITY IN LAMONT COUNTY
Strategies Actions Performance Activities Measures Measures 11-1.1 Through Host a water Number of people Hosted workshop 70 Producers education and quality awareness who attend the attended awareness workshop to workshop promote healthy highlight the water quality to importance of landowners and water monitoring encourage long term practice change in farming operations. Make producers Make producers Information aware of the aware of the benefits available at the benefits of site of site watering workshop watering systems systems
Educate producers Number of articles in Articles in paper about the value of media and maintaining buffer information given to zones and riparian producers. areas for the reduction of nutrient movement into local water bodies Attend/ promote Number of Attended grazing 52 women grazing school for participates from our school for women attended women county 2018 in St. Paul 5 from Lamont County Promote Number of producers education that complete a well information on reclamation/ proper water well number of people reclamation that request reclamation information 11-1.2 Beaver Trap beavers and Prevent flooding, 98 beavers Control open dams maintain road trapped; Page 16 of 17
28 LAMONT COUNTY ASB STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
quality and 14 beaver dams cultivated land were removed
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29 Lamont County
Request for Decision Meeting: Agricultural Service Board Meeting Date: November 12, 2020 Presented By: Terry Eleniak, Agricultural Fieldman
Title: Livestock Emergency Involvement
Agenda Item No: 5.4
BACKGROUND / PROPOSAL:
A presentation was given at the ASB Regional Conference stating that municipalities and Agricultural Service Boards should become partners and get involved in Livestock Emergencies. The request is at what level of service is the Agricultural Service Board expecting.
DISCUSSION / OPTIONS / BENEFITS / DISADVANTAGES:
In 2014 Lamont County built a Livestock Emergency trailer for the purpose of extrication of trailer rollovers or evacuations due to fire or flooding. The Emergency response department and ASB were to host a training session on November 7 for staff training on how to use the trailer and behaviors, but due to COVID-19 it is postponed until Spring. The initial proposal was to have the Ag Fieldman and alternate become members.
COSTS / SOURCE OF FUNDING:
RECOMMENDED ACTION (by originator):
THAT the Lamont County Agricultural Services Board approve the utilization of 2 staff members to assist on the mobilization and utilization of the livestock emergency trailer in the case of a livestock incident.
Author: Supervisor: Manager:
P:\Council & Committees\ASB\2020\November meeting info\5.3 Livestock Emergency Involvement RFD.doc 30 Mower Report for Lamont County Date: August 4,2020 to October 26,2020
RGE RD 182 TWP RD 580TWP RDTWP 580 RD 580 TWP RD 580RGE RD 173 RGE RD 170TWP RD 580
TWP RD TWP574 RD 574
RGE RD 180 TWP RD 572
HWY 38 HWY 45
RGE RD 193
RGE RD 175 48 AVE TWP RD 564 TWP RD 564 HWY 45
TWP RD 562
RGE RD 205
RGE RD 174
49 ST
RGE RD 201 TWP RD 560
RGE RD 203
RGE RD 173
RGE RD 165
RGE RD 185 RGE RD 182 TWP RD 552
RGE RD 173
RGE RD 165
TWP RD 550
HWY 834 TWP RD 544
TWP RDTWP 540 RDTWP 540 RDTWP 540 RD 540 TWP RD 540 Mower 4322
TWP RD 534 51 AVE Total mowing distance: 890.63 (km)
HWY 16RD HWYHWY 16 E 16 E HWY 16 W Total area mowed: 262.63 (ha)
HWY 16 ETotal mowing time: 152.53 (hr)
RGE RD 173 Total Travel Distance: 1370.17 (km) TWP RD 524 Note: Total Travel Time: 155.14 (hr) Due to mechanical issues,
RGE RD 173 Speed limit: 0 (km/h) Unit 3321 was utilized to TWP RD 520 Wing width: from 0 to 0 (meter) finish the area. Unit 3321
RGE RD 164 RGE RD 162 does not have the mowing Uses PTO on/off as the indicator reporting device installed Distance and area are calculated based on GPS receiver installed in the vehicle.
31 RGE RD 182 TWP RD 580TWP RDTWP 580 RD 580 TWP RD 580RGE RD 173 RGE RD 170TWP RD 580
TWP RD TWP574 RD 574
RGE RD 180 TWP RD 572
HWY 38 HWY 45
RGE RD 193
RGE RD 175 48 AVE TWP RD 564 TWP RD 564 HWY 45
TWP RD 562
RGE RD 205
RGE RD 174
49 ST
RGE RD 201 TWP RD 560
RGE RD 203
RGE RD 173
RGE RD 165
RGE RD 185 RGE RD 182 TWP RD 552
RGE RD 173
RGE RD 165
TWP RD 550
HWY 834 TWP RD 544
TWP RDTWP 540 RDTWP 540 RDTWP 540 RD 540 TWP RD 540
TWP RD 534 51 AVE
HWY 16RD HWYHWY 16 E 16 E HWY 16 W
HWY 16 E
RGE RD 173 TWP RD 524 Mower 4324 Total mowing distance: 1145.88 (km)
RGE RD 173 Total area mowed: 338.55 (ha) TWP RD 520
RGE RD 164 RGE RD 162 Total mowing time: 215.65 (hr) Total Travel Distance: 2003.95 (km) Total Travel Time: 201.11 (hr) Speed limit: 0 (km/h) Wing width: from 0 to 0 (meter) Uses PTO on/off as the indicator Distance and area are calculated based on GPS receiver installed in the vehicle.
32 RGE RD 182 TWP RD 580TWP RDTWP 580 RD 580 TWP RD 580RGE RD 173 RGE RD 170TWP RD 580
TWP RD TWP574 RD 574
RGE RD 180 TWP RD 572
HWY 38 HWY 45
RGE RD 193
RGE RD 175 48 AVE TWP RD 564 TWP RD 564 HWY 45
TWP RD 562
RGE RD 205
RGE RD 174
49 ST
RGE RD 201 TWP RD 560
RGE RD 203
RGE RD 173
RGE RD 165
RGE RD 185 RGE RD 182 TWP RD 552
RGE RD 173
RGE RD 165
TWP RD 550
HWY 834 TWP RD 544
TWP RDTWP 540 RDTWP 540 RDTWP 540 RD 540 TWP RD 540
TWP RD 534 51 AVE
HWY 16RD HWYHWY 16 E 16 E HWY 16 W
HWY 16 E
RGE RD 173 TWP RD 524 Mower 4348 Total mowing distance: 1169.93 (km)
RGE RD 173 Total area mowed: 347.29 (ha) TWP RD 520
RGE RD 164 RGE RD 162 Total mowing time: 150.62 (hr) Total Travel Distance: 1717.72 (km) Total Travel Time: 166.33 (hr) Speed limit: 0 (km/h) Wing width: from 0 to 0 (meter) Uses PTO on/off as the indicator Distance and area are calculated based on GPS receiver installed in the vehicle.
33 Lamont County Spray Truck 2020
Spray Polygons 2020 Provincial_Highway ROW_DIMENSION_LDR_line ROAD_TYPE_line RAILWAY_line BRIDGES_line ROADS_line Roads Hydro Area Background
34 Alberta’s Agricultural Service Boards
Agricultural Service Board Grant 2019-20 Annual Impacts Program • $11.4 million in annual grants awarded to The Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Grant 69 Agricultural Service Boards to support Program promotes long-term sustainability of legislative requirements the agriculture industry and rural communities • $1.78 million in annual grants to 64 and the development and delivery of resource Agricultural Service Boards for management programming. ASBs are environmental programming • responsible for implementing and enforcing ASBs work to protect 50.5 million acres of legislative requirements under the Agricultural farmland, 62,000 farm operators and from agricultural pests, weeds Service Board Act, the Weed Control Act 43,000 farms and soil erosion by enforcing the APA, (WCA), the Agricultural Pests Act (APA), the WCA, and the SCA Soil Conservation Act (SCA) and assist with • 220 full-time, 155 part-time and 434 the control of animal disease under the Animal seasonal employees supported. Health Act (AHA). • ABSs leveraged grant dollars at a 4:1 ratio (i.e. 80% municipal and 20% provincial funding). The accumulative economic output is valued at $102.6 million annually.
Market Access ASBs are key to Alberta’s robust pest surveillance network that helps Albertans maintain market access by mitigating the risk of agricultural pest threats.
Weed Control • 52,417 prohibited and noxious weed infestations (sites) were investigated and managed • Over 103,172 kilometers of municipal roadways weeds controlled by Integrated Pest Management means including mechanical, chemical and cultural methods such as hand picking or biological control technologies
agriculture.alberta.ca September 2019
35 Classification: Protected A Alberta’s Agricultural Service Boards
• 100% of the 67 Seed Cleaning Plants Alberta Agriculture & Forestry Operating in Alberta are inspected ASB Key Contact Program Partnerships in Action AF matches those interested with a key Together we can support our agriculture contact who are contacts for ASBs to provide sector and meet the needs of our rural general updates or topic specific updates, communities as they continue to evolve. provide information on government programs and grants and take questions and concerns Pest Management back to AF. • 10,416 fields inspected for clubroot Key contacts work with ASBs and Agricultural • 2,373 fields inspected for virulent blackleg Fieldmen to strengthen our existing • 1,062 fields inspected for Fusarium partnerships and look for new ways to • 2,761 pest insect surveys including collaborate and share information. Grasshopper, Wheat Midge, Bertha Armyworm and Diamond Back Moth Agricultural Service Board Unit Contacts:
Doug Macaulay, Manager Agriculture and Forestry Primary Agriculture Division Agriculture Development Unit Leduc, Alberta Ph. 780-980-4878
Alan Efetha, ASB Provincial Specialist Agriculture and Forestry Primary Agriculture Division Agriculture Development Unit Lethbridge, Alberta Ph. 403-381-5852
Pam Retzloff, ASB Program Coordinator Environmental Protection and Agriculture and Forestry Soil Conservation Primary Agriculture Division Agriculture Development Unit • 325 Extension events delivered, engaging Edmonton, Alberta over 14,500 producers Ph. 780-427-4213 • 703 Producers met with regarding their Environmental Farm Plan • 988 Producers educated on the CAP programs • 636 fields inspected for soil erosion issues
36 Classification: Protected A Market access impact Assurance Partners Grass-root organizations Crop Health Assurance Branch and Agriculture Service Boards (ASB) 69 Farmer-led Ag Service Boards 800+ jobs created annually
6:1 return on AF’s investment; $8.5 ASB’s invest an additional million $6 for every $1 from AF It would cost AF over $30 M to replace all legislated work done by ASB’s. Delegated Authority for Mandated by legislation Supports Alberta • Ag Service Board Act ASB’s act as an advisory body Ag Exports of • Agricultural Pest Act • Weed Control Act to the Minister on matters $11.2B/year • Soil Conservation Act of mutual concern . primary and processed • Animal Health Act Inspect and certify 100% of the provinces Assist with surveillance and monitoring 67 seed cleaning plants for diseases and pests in ~ 17,000 fields annually: • 10416 fields – clubroot in 2019 • 2373 fields – virulent blackleg • 1062 fields – Fusarium Education over Legislation 2761 fields – insects (grasshopper, Conduct ~ 52,000 weed Weed control on > 103,000 km wheat midge, bertha inspections annually municipal roadways annually to assure armyworm, diamond back moth) public safety and pest management. Identifying, monitor and address concerns that could impact market access
9/18/2020 Illustrations from The Noun Project Classification: Protected A
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 Agricultural Fieldman Report Agricultural Service Board November 12, 2020
Agricultural Service Department Activities from September 3, 2020 – October 29, 2020
The following activities were accomplished within this period:
• The grass mowing program commenced the beginning of September. It was a hard struggle and a lot of stress on the tractors and mowers due to the amount of grass. We had to have one of our staff shuttle fuel during the day as we were burning approximately 20% more fuel. We concluded the program October 22 with great success. • The beaver control program was a major priority this year on licensed and non-licensed water course. Removal of 230 dams, 132 removed using a total of 450kg of explosives this year, making us the highest used in Northern Alberta based out of Westlock. Some dams were removed by hand even after using dynamite while checking traps. To date we have trapped 312 beavers and still going strong. Our intent is to continue trapping during the winter as they are starting to nest and trapping shall become easier. • The roadside spraying program started later, but we were able to double up with the one pass system and still got it completed. • Coordination of a demo for a track hoe mounted mulcher head was done for October 30, 2020. The mulcher head will have a purpose for cleaning the watercourses where typically our self-propelled mulchers do not have access. • Signed off on the 5-year agreement with the CAO and ASB Chairman so hopefully the province will honor their part of the contract as there is indication that there will be cuts to ASB’s throughout the province. A conference call was had with the Ag Minister with Council and CAO to discuss our Ag disaster and views of the province moving forward. • The following virtual meetings took place: o AAAG meeting to discuss annual In-Service Training and 2021 Provincial Conference o Northeast Regional ASB Conference
Respectfully submitted,
Terry Eleniak, Agricultural Fieldman
47 Fall report from the desk of Agriculture and Environmental Coordinator:
September 2, - October 27, 2020
CAP Watershed: Extension program in the works for November looking to do a video presentation on the health of wetlands and riparian management. Have applied for an extension for our seeding projects to be pushed into 2021 due to the amount of water this year.
WRRP Grant: Extensions have been made for the coexistence programs to install pond levelers on two beaver dams in the county. Extension was made due to the window of installment had been missed. Running and extension web program on the 18 of November posters are getting ready to be sent out this is with our partnerships.
CAP Surveillance: Wrapped up the surveillance program surveying for the 2020 year and have received all the clubroot spore tapes. Sent the spore tapes to the lab for testing. Planning on doing some extension events this winter with the available funds.
Weed inspection: Taylor had done some fall documentation and inspections for late flower species mainly Canada thistle. This will help or next year inspectors to find the bad cases of thistle earlier in the year and try and push control when it is more manageable.
Clubroot: Clubroot inspections are completed and lab samples have all been sent in waiting on the results for the last samples sent in. Did reinspection’s on the properties when the samples came back from the lab as negative. Letters are being made up to send out and case files are being documented. Totals for the year end are 11 positives and 90 negatives with 101 inspections done. The extra inspection was a re-seed within rotation restrictions.
Roadside Spray: Sprayed the area under Chipman with the spray truck to cover for the loss of the one pass mower. Integrated the MRF spray truck system and worked out some flaws and kinks. Online documentation is recording good. Spray truck and all spray tanks have been winterized and put away for the rest of the year.
48