BRINING INNOVATION TO AGRICULTURE THROUGH EDUCATION
Questions?
Below are the contacts for specific Municipalities & Partners.
If you have any questions, feel free to send us a message with your information here!
Municipal Partners
Rocky View County
Wheatland County
Clearwater County
County of Kneehill
M.D. of Bighorn
Red Deer County
Mountain View County
Resource Partners
Foothills Forage and Grazing Association
Cows and Fish
Olds College
Lakeland College
Grey Wooded Forage Association
Municipal Partners
(contact)
Delaney McNaughton
Rocky View County surrounds the City of Calgary on three sides – to the west, north and east. The County shares borders with six rural municipalities, two First Nation Reserves, one other City, and five towns. Despite some of the growth and development pressures in the region, agriculture is and will continue to be a major economic contributor in the region. With approximately one million acres Rocky View County sees everything from grazing cattle to the west to fields of crops to the east. Cattle and crops including canola, wheat and barley are the main production for the approximately 1551 farms in the County.
Rocky View County Agricultural Services provides the following services:
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Weed inspection for both private and municipally owned lands
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Roadside herbicide application
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Roadside mowing
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Education workshops (Get Set to Grow series)
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Rental equipment (pasture sprayer, tree planters, soil & hay probes)
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Environmental Outreach (Environmental Farm Plans, Growing Forward 2 and Green Acreage Guides)
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Support Local Watershed Stewardship Groups and Riparian Protection
For more information visit www.Rockyview.ca/Agriculture or contact
Delaney McNaughton - Agricultural Service Officer
Phone: 403-520-3952
Email: DMcNaughton@rockyview.ca
Alyssa Hallgrimson
We are committed to strengthening the wellbeing of our agricultural community by providing programs and services which benefit agriculture in the County. The Wheatland County Agricultural Services Department provides the following services.
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Agricultural Pest Management - insect/pest and disease surveys, weed inspection and education programs
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Vegetation Management - roadside spraying and mowing, and reclamation projects
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Agricultural Conservation – assistance with Environmental Farm Plans, and Growing Forward funding programs, workshops, tours and conferences
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Water Protection Initiative funding - Landowners can apply for funding through the County for projects which improve surface and groundwater quality. Up to $6,000 is available for projects, examples include off site watering systems and abandoning un-used groundwater wells.
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Agricultural Recycling - bags for recycling twine, grain bag rolling and pick up program, chemical container drop-off sites
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Rental Equipment – tree planter, pasture sprayer, skunk and magpie traps, forage sampler, RFID tag reader, weight Scale, rubber mats, catting crossing signs.
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Other Services - Wheatland County ASB student bursary, Shelterbelt funding, Environmental Awards, licensing and inspection of seed cleaning plants, Classroom Agriculture Program
For more information visit www.WheatlandCounty.ca or contact
Alyssa Hallgrimson - Agriculture & Environmental Program Coordinator
Phone: (403) 361-2007
Red Deer County
Red Deer County is situated right along the highway 2 corridor, midway between Edmonton and Calgary. Encompassing an area of 4000 km2 there is great amount of diversity among agricultural operations. Livestock production includes; beef and dairy cattle, chickens, pigs and sheep while major crops are, field grains, canola, cereals, and forages. Under the guidance of the Agricultural Service Board, Red Deer County Agricultural Services provides a variety of programs and services to help support local farmers and ranchers. Some examples include;
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Vegetation Management – Roadside spraying, brush control, seeding, bridge maintenance, River weed control program, weed inspection
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Pest programs – Strychnine program, coyote predation, insect and disease monitoring/inspections
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Conservation programs- ALUS, Green Acreages, Environmental Farm Plan, Safe Water Well Program, Growing Forward 2 assistance
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Rental Equipment- Truck box sprayer, ATV sprayer, 3-point hitch sprayer, solar waterer, electric fencing, RFID reader
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Education Opportunities- Workshops, Field Days, Tours, sponsorships, bursaries
For more information visit www.RDCounty.ca or call (403) 350-2150
Daniela Archer
Mountain View County is situated where the foothills of the Canadian Rockies meet the fertile plains; in the heart of Alberta’s Calgary-Edmonton corridor. Agriculture is the backbone of Mountain View County's landscape and culture. With over 1,800 farms and ranches located on 3,800 square kilometers of rich fertile soil and lush grazing land, agriculture is our proud heritage and our vital link to the future. Mountain View County's Agricultural Services Department, guided by the Agricultural Service Board, is resourced to support local farmers and ranchers with programs and services designed to enhance production, environmental stewardship and industry growth. The Agricultural Service Board advises and serves all stakeholders in weed and pest control, leading edge agricultural practices, soil and water conservation and related environmental concerns to enhance the viability of the agricultural community.
Protecting and sustaining the natural resources that fuel the County's agriculture industry is a responsibility we take seriously. Funding and expertise is available to County farmers committed to pursuing sound environmental strategies that:
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Protect natural resources
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Protect endangered species
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Enhance biodiversity
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Enhance soil conservation
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Maintain riparian areas and enhance water quality
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Improve environmental stewardship management practices
We offer several programs promoting environmentally friendly farm practices including our Riparian & Ecological Enhancement Program, Agricultural Recycling Program and extension programing with our partners. Support is also available in completing Environmental Farm Plans and Growing Forward 2 applications.
For more information visit www.MountainViewCounty.com or contact:
Theresa Fletcher, Agricultural Field Operator
Phone: (403) 559-8282
Email: tfletcher@mvcounty.com
Tess Krause
The Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8 is a rural municipality located in a beautiful natural setting. A community of unique communities, the M.D. is characterized by ranching and other agricultural uses, industrial uses, low impact tourism facilities, hamlets, and large tracts of undeveloped crown land reserved for forestry activities. It is recognized that the quality of life of our residents is tied to a healthy, natural environment and a robust economy. The MD of Bighorn’s Agricultural Services department receives guidance from the Agricultural Services and Environmental Advisory Board (ASEAB). The board provides advice and makes recommendations to Council in matters pertaining to the MD’s agricultural programs and related environmental matters. The staff in the Agricultural Services department can provide assistance to landowners with completing Environmental Farm Plans, Growing Forward 2 applications, as well as address concerns regarding invasive species and pest management. There are a variety of workshops that the MD Agricultural staff provide annually for residents to participate in free of charge. Some examples of these can include:
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Living in the Natural Environment
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Weed ID & Pest workshops
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Native Plant Alternatives
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Working Water Well
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Bear Safety Workshops
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Range and Riparian Health Assessments
For more information visit www.mdbighorn.ca or contact:
Tess Krause - Assistant Environmental Fieldman
Phone: 403-673-3611 ext.241
Email: tess.krause@mdbighorn.ca
Jim Evans
Kneehill County is situated in Central Alberta, west of the Red Deer River. The county encompasses the Canadian Badlands and Horseshoe Canyon alongside agricultural farm land. Three Hills is the main urban hub of the county and is the location of the municipality’s office and main shop. Kneehill County’s agricultural land base consists of 643,304 acres of cultivated land and 150,490 acres of pasture land. Kneehill County Agriculture Services provides education, tools and financial support to encourage advanced farming practices that increase profitability while enhancing our environment. Some of these programs include:
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Environmental Farm Plan support
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Riparian Restoration Program (funding available to residents)
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Water Well Decommissioning Program (funding available to residents)
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Pest Monitoring & Control Consultation
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Weed Control Programs
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Various Workshops And Events Throughout The Year
For more information visit www.KneehillCounty.com or contact:
MJ Vergara - Acting Land Care Coordinator of Parks & Agricultural Services
Phone: (403)-443-5541
Email: jim.evans@kneehillcounty.com
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Danielle Ens
Clearwater County – population 21,000 – covers more than 18,000 km2 with about 20% deeded land. We are the headwaters for the North Saskatchewan, Red Deer and, to a lesser degree, the Athabasca river. A gateway to the eastern slopes of the Rockies, we have hosted 50,000 visitors, with 20,000 ATV’s, on a spring/summer long weekend. Urban areas such as Edmonton, Red Deer and others depend on the well-being of these headwaters. Almost all Clearwater residents depend on groundwater making aquifer management important. There is a new threat to watershed health with Mountain Pine Beetle confirmed in the region. Clear Water Landcare, the stewardship arm of the Agricultural Service Board, provides environmental education and equipping within the Agricultural and Community Services department. Environmental focus areas are:
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Vegetation management – understanding of the ecological harm done by invasive plants and education regarding the tools and strategies, including responsible use of herbicide, to manage threats.
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Environmental Farm Plan – providing technical support to producers completing EFP’s.
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Environmental funding programs – offering information and support for the SCAP funding programs and a distinctly local program called Caring for my Land.
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Agricultural tools and equipment – calibrated spraying equipment, shock chlorination tank, static water level meter and soil sampling tools.
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Education opportunities – annual Cattlemen’s Day, West Country Ag Tour and Educational Ag Tour. Working Well and Septic Sense workshops. Topical workshops on habitat and the creatures that depend on them including pollinators and agroforestry.
For more information visit www.clearwatercounty.ca or contact:
Danielle Ens
Phone: (403) 845-4444 ext 4202
Email: DEns@clearwatercounty.ca
Resource Partners
(contact)
Kayla Minor
The FFGA provides relevant, unbiased forage and livestock information to Southern Alberta producers in partnership with industry, government, and the agricultural community. We are a non-profit, producer driven association leading the industry to long term sustainability through research and development.
Our board of directors is made up of 11 volunteer producers from across the FFGA region. There are currently about 229 producer members from across our region.
We strive to bring information and production strategies to producers by hosting demonstration projects, events, workshops, and hands on days; as well as networking with like-minded producers and sharing information through our newsletter, website, and social media.
FFGA is a proud member of the Agriculture Research and Extension Council of Alberta. ARECA acts as an umbrella association for FFGA and our sister associations across the province. By working together through ARECA, we are better able to serve producers in our individual regions as it allows us to network, share information and speakers, as well as work together on provincial projects, conferences and events.
For more information visit www.FoothillsForage.com or contact:
Kayla Minor
Phone: (403) 995-9466
Email: comm@foothillsforage.com
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Sean Thompson
The Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production (TACLP) offers resources and services required to move the livestock industries technology needs forward. Olds College’s vertically integrated beef program allows for technology and products to be tested at every step of production (seed stock, cow-calf, feedlot, processing). The TACLP helps address industry issues related to production efficiency, animal health and welfare, and environmental sustainability. These issues are addressed by giving livestock producers, technology developers, and small to medium enterprises access to expertise, facilities, testing services, training, and emerging smart agriculture technologies. To facilitate and accelerate the Canadian livestock industry adoption of new technology, The TACLP provides field-testing and improvement of emerging technologies in farm-like conditions, assisting companies with the testing of feed, genetics, and precision livestock farming technology.
For more information visit https://www.oldscollege.ca/research/areas-of-focus/livestock-meats/index.html
Sean Thompson
Phone: (403) 556-8314
Kelsey Spicer-Rawe & Pamela Kuipers
The Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society, also known as "Cows and Fish", is a non-profit society who strives to foster a better understanding of how improvements in grazing and other management of riparian areas can enhance landscape health and productivity, for the benefit of landowners, agricultural producers, communities and others who use and value riparian areas.
How is the Cows and Fish program valuable to landowners and communities?
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Work with landowners & communities on improving ecological literacy, specifically related to riparian areas and landscape management
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Help landowners and communities present a proactive approach as good stewards of the land
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Evaluate and monitor riparian health
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Provide technical assistance on riparian and other grazing management
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Provide better information so landowners and communities can make informed decisions
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Assist in building community-based and producer driven groups to address local riparian issues
For more information visit www.cowsandfish.org or contact:
Kelsey Spicer-Rawe, Riparian Specialist, Airdrie
Ph: (403) 948-8519
Email: kspicer@cowsandfish.org
Tatyana Irodenko
GWFA is a non-for-profit organization who serve six counties in central Alberta. We have been established for over 30 years, and have been delivering quality extension and demonstration project information for producers. Currently we have two full time staff and our board consist of 9 Board members and two ex-officials. We publish a 16-page monthly publication called The Blade in full color.
We are a known as delivering extension of excellence. We have a large producer list and seek to grow it by many thousands more. Our Mission: “To Promote Environmentally & Economically sustainable forage & agriculture practices” Our Vision: “The community is engaged in regenerative agricultural production methods”
GWFA has two main programs: Our production program, and an environmental program. We extend quality proven research information, and have many collaborators and partners. Services include:
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Grazing management consulting
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Environmental Farm Plan support
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Project development and implementation
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Weeds management and webinars delivery
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Support the ALUS program (Alternate Land Use Services)
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Rental of forage probes and soil testing equipment
For more information visit www.GreyWoodedForageAssociation.com or contact
Tatyana Irodenko
Phone: (403) 844-2645
Andrea Hanson
Lakeland College is pleased to support the Red Bow Agriculture Partnership. Lakeland College offers a wide variety of full time and continuing education courses in the agriculture industry and recently added a Bachelor of Agriculture Technology to its listing. In addition to its strong agriculture presence, Lakeland College also offers diplomas in business, health and wellness, interior design to fire and emergency services, to name a few.
In recent years, Lakeland College has strengthened its research capabilities to partner with other colleges, universities, and the agriculture industry. Adding a research component to education ensures the students are exposed to new and innovative ideas on which to build their future.
For more information visit www.lakelandcollege.ca or contact
Andrea Hanson
Phone: 403-312-9800
Special Thanks to Grant Lastiwka
Grant is a Forage/Grazing/Livestock/Grazing Economics Specialist with Union Forage. At Union Forage, we offer a complete support system to extend the duration and quality of grazing for all growing regions in Canada - annual grazing systems for summer growth and winter stockpile for irrigation and dryland production. Our strategic partnerships with leading global forage researchers provides years of practical agronomic and technical advice from around the world.
For more information visit www.unionforage.com or contact
Grant Lastiwka
Phone: 403-350-6394