The Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen: South Region Directory

 
 
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Acadia | Cardston | Crowsnest Pass | Cypress | Foothills | Forty Mile | Lethbridge | Newell | Pincher Creek | Ranchland | Siksika | Special Area 2 | Special Area 3 | Special Area 4 | Taber | Vulcan | Warner | Wheatland | Willow Creek


Municipal District of Acadia #34

Agricultural Service Board
Box 30
Acadia Valley, Alberta, T0J 0A0

Shop: 403-972-3808
Phone: 403-972-3755
Fax: 403-972-3833

Jordan Hoffman, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: j.hoffman@mdacadia.ab.ca

The municipality has little to no industrial activity which makes the mandate "Providing, Promoting and Protecting" agricultural resources, under the powers of the ASB act, a lot easier. The staff of two have varied responsibilities in the local municipal structure which also makes co-ordination of programs less complicated. Our belief is, that all we do is tied, for the most part, directly to Agriculture.

For general information on our municipality, please visit our home page at: www.mdacadia.ab.ca

Successful Programs:

  • The reduction of tillage as a summerfallow tool
  • Regrassing of waterways, marginal lands and saline areas
  • Halting the spread of leafy spurge on cultivated lands
  • The implementation and maintenance of all demonstration and/or plot work is contracted out to the local Research Association, Chinook Applied Research Association or CARA.
  • Reciprocating agreements with all partners in the development of GIS data and systems
  • Right of Way weed control accomplished by efficient use of roadside mowing, spot and shoulder spraying programs
  • Distribution of Bait for the Rat Control Program of Alberta
  • An extensive equipment rental program: wide blade cultivator, 3 grass drills, manure spreader, irrigation pump and 1 mile of pipe, livestock scale, portable loading chute, hydraulic drive post hole auger, tree planter, grain moisture tester, grain probes, metal detector, buried line detector, explosive gas detector, skunk traps, tripod level, wheel measure, skid mount insecticide and herbicide sprayers with boom and handguns, backpack sprayer, 2 grasshopper bran bait applicators, sump pumps and a pull type grader.
Current A.S.B.:
Willie Vandeligt - Chair/Councillor
Peter Rafa - Councillor
Tim Peers - Councillor
Aaron Skappak - Councillor
Ron Hoyt - Councillor

Cardston County

Agricultural Service Board
Box 580
Cardston, Alberta, T0K 0K0

Phone: 403-653-4977
Fax: 403-653-1126

Rod Foggin, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: rod@cardstoncounty.com

Stephen Bevans, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman (Director, South Region)
E-mail: stephen@cardstoncounty.com

Successful Programs:
  • Roadside spraying program, including spraying road shoulders
  • Bio control for Leafy Spurge, Hounds Tongue and Dalmation Toadflax
  • Knapweed and Leafy Spurge control along Milk River, St. Mary River, Belly River and Waterton River (all flowing out of the Unites States)
  • Scentless Chamomile elevated to a Prohibited noxious weed with the goal of eliminating it
  • We have traps available for skunk control.
  • No till drills, 425 bushels manure spreader, sprayers and livestock handling equipment for rent to county taxpayers
  • GPS mapping along rivers for Prohibited noxious and noxious weeds
Current A.S.B.:
Roger Houghton - Chair/Councillor
Jim Bester - Councillor
Royce Leavitt - Councillor
Kevin Quinton - Councillor
Al Kormas - Farmer Member
Nick Barfuss (Farmer Member)
Jason Hartley (Farmer Member)

Municipality of Crowsnest Pass

Agricultural Service Board
Mail:
Box 600
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta T0K 0E0

Phone: 403-563-8658
Fax: 403-563-5474

Office:
Room 1, MDM Community Center
2802 - 222 Street
Bellevue, AB


Bill Hnatiuk, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: agfieldman@crowsnestpass.com

Current ASB:
Darwin Ruzicka - Chair/Member at Large
Robert Bailey - Vice Chair/Member at Large
Dave Filipuzzi - Councillor
Doreen Glavin - Councillor (Alternate)
Kenneth Tappay - Member at Large
Wayne Kobberstad - Member at Large

Cypress County

Agricultural Service Board
816 - 2nd Avenue
Dunmore, Alberta, T1B 0K3

Phone: 403-526-2888
Fax: 403-526-8958

Jason Storch, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: jassto@cypress.ab.ca

Lisa Sulz, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: lisa.sulz@cypress.ab.ca

Cypress County is located in the southeast portion of Alberta, bordering the province of Saskatchewan and the state of Montana. Agricultural operations in the County include cattle ranches, grain farms, mixed farms of cattle, crops and forages along with a few small scale feedlots and hog operations. Being in the brown soil zone, many dryland cropping rotations are wheat/fallow although more producers are extending rotations or moving to continuous cropping. New crops becoming common on dryland include canola, chickpeas, lentils and peas. South and west of Medicine Hat is a large irrigation area where typical crops include alfalfa, grass, canola, cereals, beans, corn, sunflower.

Successful Programs:

  • Eradicable Weeds Program - in an effort to encourage land owners to report Prohibited Noxious weeds the ASB covers the cost of control. Knapweed continues to be the most prevalent Prohibited Noxious weed in the county.
  • Noxious Weed Control Assistance Program - in an effort to assist land owners with getting noxious weed populations down to a manageable level the ASB will cover 50% of the labour costs for the county staff to control the weeds. This is limited to 3 years at which point the land owner is expected to take on full responsibility of weed control.
  • Road Shoulder spraying - controlling vegetation on gravel road shoulders to help with road maintenance, using soil sterilant or non-residual herbicides.
  • Border Rat Patrol - inspecting buildings within 19 km of the Saskatchewan border, to ensure rats do not get into Alberta
  • General Weed Inspections - randomly checking fields to ensure noxious weeds are under control
  • Specialized Rental Equipment - two15 ft. John Deere no-till drills, 16 ft. land roller, cattle scale, weigh wagon, pasture pipeline plow, plastic mulch applicator and tree planters
  • Partnership with local applied research group (Farming Smarter). Annual crop demonstrations plots including: regional variety trials, winter pea trials, legume trials and general precision agriculture practices demonstrations.

Current A.S.B.:
Dustin Vossler - Chair/Councillor
Shane Hok - Councillor
Michelle McKenzie - Councillor
Connie Kappler - Farmer Member
Josh Beck - Farmer Member

Foothills County

Agricultural Service Board
Box 5605
High River, Alberta, T1V 1M7

Phone: 403-603-5410 (Ron)
Shop: 403-652-2423 ext. 5446 (Bree)
Fax: 403-603-5414

Jeff Porter, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: jeff.porter@mdfoothills.com

Bree Webb, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: bree.webb@mdfoothills.com


Current A.S.B.:
Delilah Miller - Chair/Councillor
RD McHugh - Councillor
Rob Siewert - Councillor
Dave Anderson -Member at Large
Scott Henry - Member at Large
Wade Nelson - Member at Large
Lloyd Giles - Member at Large

County of Forty Mile No. 8

Agricultural Service Board
Box 160
Foremost, Alberta, T0K 0X0

Phone: 403-867-3530
Fax: 403-867-2242

Agricultural Fieldman - Vacant

Kevin Jesske, Fieldman's Assistant
E-mail: kevjes@fortymile.ab.ca

Darrell VanArragon, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: darrell.vanarragon@fortymile.ab.ca

Programs:

  • Annual roadside weed control program covering over 1800 miles of municipal roads and 200 miles of Provincial Highways
  • Herbicide applications for control of grass on road shoulders
  • Perform control work on noxious and prohibited noxious weeds with goal towards eradication
  • Biological control for leafy spurge infestations
  • ASB staff offer advice with horticultural concerns, weed control issues, and watershed management
  • Perform inspections for declared pests including rats, rabies and Bacterial Ring Rot
  • Rental equipment includes: tree mover, cattle scale, no till seed drills, tree spraying service, noxious weed control
  • Bi-annual newsletter delivered to all residents with information on programs
Current A.S.B.:
Craig Widmer -Chair/Councillor
Joan Hughson - Councillor
Chantel Timmons - Councillor
Steven Wikkerink - Councillor
Gerald Reimer - Councillor
Stacey Barrows - Councillor
Diane Harty - Councillor

County of Lethbridge

Agriculture and Municipal Services Department
905 - 4th Avenue South
Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4E4

Phone: 403-328-5525
Shop: 403-732-5333
Fax: 403-732-4328

Gary Secrist, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: gsecrist@lethcounty.ca

Terry Mrozowich - Agricultural Foreman

Successful Programs:
Preventing the establishment of provincially restricted weeds such as Dodder, Diffuse and Spotted Knapweed and Scentless Chamomile (restricted by By-Law).

Because of the high number (448) of intensive livestock feeding operations in the County, there is a large movement of feed into the area and consequently, the movement of weed seeds. Since the early 1970's, all new Scentless Chamomile infestations have been eliminated. The County Weed Inspector provides extension material on these weeds to all livestock feeding operations through personal contact.

A number of programs have been developed with the assistance of Dwayne Rogness, Soil technician for the County, such as Dugout Water Enhancement, Reclamation of Eroded Knolls, Quality & Quantity of Manure Produced in Southern Alberta Feedlots, Forage and Shelterbelt Demos, Fall Control of Water Annual Weeds and the Effect of Surface Applied Manure on Forages.

ASB duties also include parks, school and playgrounds maintenance, hamlet mowing & Disaster Services. One hundred thirty (130) miles of seldom traveled roads are sprayed with Round-Up instead of being graded. General road maintenance has also been amalgamated under this Department; this includes grading, gravelling and mowing all roads in the County.

Current A.S.B.:
Steve Campbell - Chair/Councillor
Morris Zeinstra - Councillor
Lorne Hickey - Councillor
Ken Benson - Councillor
Tory Campbell - Councillor
Robert Horvath - Councillor
Klaas Vander Veen - Councillor

County of Newell No. 4

Agricultural Service Board
Box 130
Brooks, Alberta, T1R 1B2

Phone: 403-362-2772
Shop: 403-362-4343
Fax: 403-362-8681

Todd Green, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: greent@newellmail.ca

Catherine Christensen, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: christensenc@newellmail.ca

Will Schaap - Field Officer
E-mail: whiteh@countyofnewell.ab.ca

Successful Programs:

  • Elevated Scentless Chamomile and Leafy Spurge to Prohibited Noxious - have maintained small infestations
  • Eliminating Diffuse and Spotted Knapweed within the County of Newell.
  • Reduction of Scentless Chamomile infestations along the Red Deer and Bow Rivers.
  • Roadside weed control (1100 miles of local roads, 200 miles of secondary highways) as well as control along the railways (66 miles), continues to help reduce the spread of noxious weeds
  • Rental Equipment - Speciality livestock equipment (Scale, chute, squeeze, calf table, tag reader), bale shredder (for soil erosion control), lister shovels, tree planters and plastic mulch applicator, No Till grain drills (2), Conventional double disc drill, Brillion seeder (2), pasture sprayers, 3 point hitch sprayer, quad sprayer, back pack sprayers, meter mister sprayer, skunk traps, dog traps and magpie traps
  • Partner with Urban municipalities (City of Brooks, Town of Bassano, Village of Duchess) for Weed Inspection and control services on a cost recovery basis.

Current A.S.B.:
Molly Douglass - Chair/Councillor
Huby Kalen -Councillor
Anne Marie Philipsen - Councillor
Lionel Juss - Councillor
Wayne Hammergren - Councillor
Tracy Fyfe - Councillor
Kelly Christman - Councillor
Ellen Unruh - Councillor
Clarence Amulung - Councillor
Brian de Jong - Councillor

Municipal District of Pincher Creek #9

Agricultural Service Board
Pincher Creek Municipal Airport - 1001 Twp. rd. 7-0
Box 279
Pincher Creek, Alberta, T0K 1W0

Phone: 403-627-4151
Fax: 403-627-3075


Shane Poulsen, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: spoulsen@mdpinchercreek.ab.ca

Lindsey Davidson, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: ldavidson@mdpinchercreek.ab.ca

Environmental contact: Jeff Porter at 403- 646-3131 (phone) or 403-601-6711 (cell)

Vision:
Healthy and productive land & water resources for the benefit of our citizens.

Mission:
The Agricultural Service Board of the Municipal District of Pincher Creek #9 is committed to promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, & protection of our agricultural & ecological resources, with a view to improve long-term economic outlook for our citizens.

Values:
Economic and ecological health -The ASB will assist our agricultural citizens in achieving optimum agricultural production & long-term profitability, while promoting protection & enhancement of land & water resources to all citizens & area visitors, to help achieve our vision.

Continuing education and understanding - The ASB will strive for ongoing awareness and education of ASB members, staff, and our citizens, in all aspects of ASB programming, to improve understanding of the land and water management practices necessary to help achieve our vision.

Working cooperatively and effectively with others - The ASB will encourage and engage participation of citizens, neighboring jurisdictions, private industry, other agricultural & environmental organizations, and various provincial & federal government departments to help achieve our vision through reaching out both within and beyond our municipal boundaries.

Goals and strategies:
1. Develop and/or facilitate efficient & effective activities/programs supporting our vision.
  • Develop/deliver/facilitate programs for sustainable land and water use.
  • Develop/deliver/facilitate programs for sound management of weeds, rural pests, & livestock disease.
2. Encourage continuing educational opportunities for ASB members, staff, & citizens supporting our vision.
  • Obtain/maintain certification training for Agricultural Fieldmen and staff related to ASB programming.
  • Access workshop/conference opportunities for ASB members/staff related to ASB programming.
  • Sponsor interested citizens to attend relevant workshops/conferences.
  • Subscribe to periodicals that relate to ASB programming.
  • Utilize the various forms of mass media as a means to communicate with the larger public concerning ASB vision, mission, values, goals, strategies, and actions.
3. Participate in interjurisdictional activities, organizations, & initiatives supporting our vision.
  • Membership/active participation in relevant non-government organizations/committees.
  • Cooperate with provincial/federal government departments whose mandates coincide with ours, and who represent opportunities for partnership.
  • Cooperate with other municipal departments to improve overall municipal cooperation.
  • Cooperate with local stakeholder groups whose mandates represent opportunities for partnership.
  • Cooperate with industry to better understand how their mandates fit in context of our vision.
4. Encourage and recognize excellence from ASB members, ASB staff, and local citizens in carrying out their responsibilities and/or practices supporting our vision.
  • Foster atmosphere of excellence in ASB members/staff, with incentive/recognition of creative, effective, efficient work.
  • Challenge our citizens to help the ASB achieve its vision, and recognize those contributions privately and/or publicly.
5. Provide quality equipment & materials for use by ASB staff & local citizens supporting our vision.
  • Keep up-to-date, well maintained equipment and supplies for use by ASB members & staff.
  • Keep up-to-date, well maintained rental equipment & supplies for purchase or use by our citizens.
Municipal characteristics, challenges, and highlights of our programs:
The 2006 Federal Census reports our MD population at 3,309 people living in 1,536 private dwellings. Total municipal land base is approximately 860,500 acres. It will be interesting to see the trends revealed in the full 2006 Census data, which will be slowly released according to Statistics Canada’s internal scheduling.

We continue to note increases in the numbers of country-residential landholders, mainly through subdivision, in areas near the Oldman River Dam, Gladstone Valley, Waterton Lakes National Park, and the Burmis/Lundbreck corridor. The ASB’s relationship with these citizens is important, as they are "stewards of their land" along with their more traditionally agricultural neighbours.

Awareness, promotion, & demonstration of economically & environmentally sustainable land and water use practices continue to be the top priority for our ASB, and influence all our subsequent activities. We are proud to be a part of the Southwest Alberta Conservation Partnership (along with the ASB’s from the MD’s of Willow Creek and Ranchland). Local citizen-led initiatives such as the Beaver Creek and Pincher Creek Watershed Groups, which developed in part from encouragement and technical support from our ASB, are making a positive impact towards sustainable range and water management in our area.

Soil erosion from wind and water continues to be a major concern in our jurisdiction, although area producers have taken measures to reduce these problems considerably over the past two decades, through adoption of conservation farming practices, and sustainable range and water management techniques. While our first focus is to prevent erosion from occurring through education and awareness campaigns aimed at our citizens, we will use enforcement provisions afforded us under Alberta’s Soil Conservation Act to deal with emergency erosion issues in our district as required.

Our ASB believes that invasive, non-native weeds are a large and growing threat to agricultural production and ecological integrity within our district. Their presence on the landscape is often a result of management techniques that favour their introduction and proliferation. Our ASB will employ an integrated approach to invasive weed issues within our district, focusing on prevention, early detection and rapid response to new or emerging weed infestations, and long term management and containment of existing weed infestations. We maintain the inspection and licensing of our local cooperative seed cleaning plant (on which we have representation on their managing board), as well as inspecting and licensing mobile plants operating in our district. The purchase of weed-free forage and grass seed by individuals and industry is actively encouraged. Multi-media awareness and education campaigns targeted to both citizens and visitors on prevention and management of invasive weeds are crucial components of our overall efforts. Inspections and facilitation of control measures for weeds designated under Alberta’s Weed Control Act and municipal bylaw are carried out on private land, municipal highways & grid roads, provincial highways, 5 hamlets, perimeters of the Oldman & Waterton Reservoirs, provincial parks & recreation areas, Canadian Pacific Railway, Shell-Waterton Gas Plant (including associated pipelines), provincial/municipal/private gravel pits, municipal and environmental reserves, Forestry and Public Lands, and our major river systems & their many tributaries. While our first focus is to prevent or minimize effects of invasive weeds from occurring through education and awareness campaigns aimed at our citizens and the visiting public, we will use enforcement provisions afforded us under Alberta’s Weed Control Act to deal with weed issues in our area as required.

Rural pests and crop diseases are issues for our area citizens. Our ASB will strive to educate & inform our citizens on sustainable management strategies for agricultural/rural pests and diseases, employing the enforcement provisions afforded us under Alberta’s Agricultural Pests Act as required.

Portable, specialized livestock handling equipment has been historically made available by the ASB to our producers. The livestock industry is moving toward better disease prevention and management, as well as achieving a more traceable product from “gate to plate”. The ASB will continue to facilitate provision of equipment to our livestock sector that assists in the shared goal of economic and environmental sustainability. We will also work with provincial and federal livestock disease management officials as required under Alberta’s Livestock Diseases Act.
The loss of Alberta Agriculture’s district offices & staffing over the 1990’s added (by default) extra demands on the ASB from our citizens for many services formerly provided by provincial officials. These include:
  • Referral and/or access to agricultural/environmental specialists
  • Representation for our area on agricultural/environmental issues to all levels of government & industry
  • Agronomic and horticultural advice including varietal selection, fertility, diseases/insects, etc
  • Environmental, crop pest, and crop production monitoring data for provincial and federal governments
  • Assistance in accessing and completing provincial and federal government program forms and information
  • General agricultural and environmental education and information availability to students & general public
  • Interviews and articles for local/regional/national media on various agricultural and environmental issues
Recent enhancements to the ASB funding program through Alberta Agriculture & Food are viewed by our ASB as a long overdue renewal of the unique partnership between ASB’s and the provincial government. This renewed and symbiotic relationship is helping us somewhat to address the services outlined above. Our ASB will continue to help develop the partnership between our two levels of government, in conjunction with other organizations, jurisdictions, and industry, in an effort to bring the best quality agricultural and environmental services to our municipal citizens.

Current ASB structure:

3Elected Councilors (voting)
2Agricultural Citizens (voting) - appointed by M.D. Council
1Alberta Agriculture & Food Representative (advisory, appointed by the ASB)
1Director of Operations (advisory, appointed by the M.D. Council)
1Agricultural Fieldman (advisory, appointed by the M.D. Council)
1Assistant Agricultural Fieldman (advisory, appointed by the ASB)
The Board elects a Chairman from their membership annually during organizational meetings in October, or as needed. Agricultural citizen members are appointed annually, with a 5-year term.

Current Members Of The Agricultural Service Board

John Lawson - Chair/Member at Large
Martin Puch - Vice-Chair/Member at Large
Bev Everts - Councillor
Quentin Stevik - Councillor
Fred Welsch - Member at Large
David Robbins - Member at Large
The Agricultural Fieldmen manage ASB operations from their base, located at the Pincher Creek Municipal Airport. Additional seasonal staff is hired to carry out the ASB programs. Typical positions have included: Roadside Sprayer Operator, ASB Yardperson, Municipal Weed Inspectors, Restricted/Noxious Spot Weed Control Crew, and Southwest Conservation Partnership Coordinator.

Municipal District of Ranchland #66

Agricultural Service Board
Box 1060
Nanton, Alberta, T0L 1R0

Phone: 403-646-3131
Fax: 403-646-3141

Rick Niwa, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: ag@ranchland66.com

Environmental contact: Rick Niwa at 403-646-3134 (phone) or 403-601-0238 (cell)

Successful Programs:
  • On-going control of noxious weeds not common to the municipality such as Scentless Chamomile, Toadflax, Blueweed, Common Burdock, and Hound's Tongue.
  • Effective Weed Control enforcement that has worked well for local residents and ratepayers.
  • Joint Weed Control Agreement with the urban Municipality of Crowsnest Pass to help prevent the spread of restricted and noxious weeds through a major transportation corridor.
  • Riparian management
New Programs:
Educational programs to provide local residents with training on weed identification and control in order to reduce the loss of pasture land resulting from weed infestations. Rotational grazing to protect riparian areas. Riparian Management is a key project in the M.D. of Ranchland. Many project demonstrations are in place from off stream watering systems, rotational grazing and riparian fencing.

Current A.S.B.:
Jody Wilson - Chair/Member at Large
Harry Streeter - Co-Chair/Councillor
Ron Davis - Councillor
Cameron Gardner - Councillor
Roxy Wideman - Member at Large
Tony Webster - Member at Large
Lon Streeter - Member at Large
Don Mowat - Member at Large

Special Area 2, Hanna

Agricultural Service Board
Box 820
Hanna, Alberta, T0J 1P0

Phone: 403-854-5624
Fax: 403-854-5627

Jesse Williams, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: jesse.williams@specialareas.ab.ca

Current A.S.B.:
Neal Roes - Chair/Councillor
Brad Osadczuk - Vice-Chair/Councillor
Derek Christensen - Farmer Member
Nathan Berg- Farmer Member
Greg Standing - Farmer Member
Lee Quaschnick - Farmer Member

Special Area 3, Oyen

Agricultural Service Board
Box 30
Oyen, Alberta, T0J 2J0

Phone: 403-664-3618
Fax: 403-664-3320

Don Hogan, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: don.hogan@specialareas.ab.ca

Current A.S.B.:
Marvin Molzan - Chair/Member at Large
Travis Foot - Councillor
Sam Shadlock - Councillor
Jerry Logan - Member at Large
Walter Scarff - Member at Large

Special Area 4, Consort

Agricultural Service Board
Box 220
Consort, Alberta, T0C 1B0

Phone: 403-577-3523
Fax: 403-577-2446

Justine Comeau, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: justine.simpson@specialareas.ab.ca

Successful Programs:
  • Prohibited Noxious and Noxious Weed Control -- continual control and eradication of species in this area including Scentless Chamomile, Leafy Spurge, Toadflax, Hoary Cress, Baby's Breath, White Cockle and more.
  • Promotion of Agricultural Service Board by attending local fairs as well as holding successful workshops, in conjunction with CARA (Chinook Applied Research Association) such as coyote control, range management, weed identification, soil management, animal health and more.
  • Providing rental equipment such as seed drills, no-till drills, pasture pipe plows, insecticide/weed sprayers and more.
Current A.S.B.:
Todd Murphy - Chair/Member at Large
Barry Redel - Vice-Chair/Advisory Council
Trevor Deagle - Member at Large
Gordon Long - Member at Large
Graham Schetzsle - Advisory Council
Taryl Abt - ASB Secretary

Municipal District of Taber

Agricultural Service Board
4900 - B 50 Street
Taber, Alberta, T1G 1T2

Shop: 403-233-8735
Fax: 403-223-8831

Jason Bullock, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: jbullock@mdtaber.ab.ca

Jorden Holst, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: jholst@mdtaber.ab.ca

Successful Programs:
  • The MD of Taber's land area of 1,000,000 acres; 750,000 of it farmland or improved pasture including irrigated crops such as 35,000 acres of sugar beets, 25,000 acres of dry beans, 35,000 acres of potatoes, 7000 acres of sweet corn, and approximately 5000 acres of other specialty crops. Dryland crops include traditional cereal and oilseed crops as well as countless acres of lentils, dry peas, chickpeas and other crops that can be a cause for concern for soil erosion. As a hub in Southern Alberta for speciality crops many initiatives have been carried out to bring awareness and information to area farmers on the issue of soil erosion, crop rotation management, residual chemical carryover concerns, irrigation and soil moisture management through on farm consultation and through producer meetings organized and funded by the Ag Service Board.
  • Other areas of emphasis include the Pest Control Act in which the ASB provides control measures for coyotes and grasshoppers, information and education on Fusarium Head Blight, and an annual survey of potato fields for Bacterial Ring Rot, as well as an annual grasshopper survey.
  • A Municipal Weed Inspector is employed to investigate weed complaints and to initiate clean up measures when necessary.
  • The ASB sprays 2600 kms of municipal roadside each year, as well as municipal parks and hamlets. The ASB will on occasion initiate application contracts with private landowners in order to ensure right of ways and other lands are properly cared for. A mowing program for roadsides also takes place that will see each roadside ditch mowed twice yearly.
  • The MD of Taber ASB is also involved in non-traditional ASB territory by managing the Municipal Parks, Transfer Stations, assisting Hamlet Foreman in their duties. The ASB is also proactive in areas of agricultural production and sustainability and funding projects such as the Durum Moisture Definiency Project at the Alberta Agriculture Demonstration Farm, as well as participating in many projects including the Irrigation Management Climate information Network in association with the Irrigation Branch of Alberta Agriculture.
  • The MD of Taber's Ag Service Board is prepared for change. It will continue to serve the Municipality and it's farmers in a proactive manner into the future with policies developed locally to meet local needs.
Current A.S.B.:
Leavitt Howg - Chair/Councillor
Murray Reynolds - Deputy Chair/Councillor
Merrill Harris - Reeve
Brian Brewin - Councillor
John Turcato - Councillor
Tamara Miyanaga - Deputy Reeve
Jennifer Crowson - Councillor

Vulcan County

Agricultural Service Board
Box 180
Vulcan, Alberta, T0L 2B0

Phone: 403-485-3103
Fax: 403-485-2920

Kelly Malmberg, Manager of Agricultural Services
E-mail: agmanager@vulcancounty.ab.ca

Terry Olsen, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: res@vulcancounty.ab.ca

Successful Programs:

  • Over the past several years we have completed delivered several AESA programs aimed at addressing soil and water conservation issues. We have recently become involved with riparian management along the Lower Little Bow River.
  • Our roadside spraying program currently consists of three roadside spraying units equipped with GPS and GIS technology. We currently apray over 6000 miles of road annually controlling perennial and annual weeds.
  • Our roadside mowing program currently consists of two Case MX110 tractor units with two Kuhn mowers; we cover 9000 miles of gravel road on an annual basis.
  • We offer various pieces of equipment for rent to our producers such as cattle scales, grass seeders (brillions and direct seeders), portable sprayers, straw processor and crimper, and tree planters.
  • Our roadside seeding program consists of a hydroseeder and brillion seeder in which we seed approximately 20 - 25 miles or roadside ditches each year.
  • We offer our producers a privateland spraying program to rectify any hard to control perennials on a small acreage basis.
Current A.S.B.:
Doug Logan - Chair/Councillor
Ryan Smith - Vice-Chair/Councillor
Wayne Robinson - Member at Large
Lee Markert - Member at Large
Glen Gateman - Member at Large

County of Warner No. 5

Agricultural Service Board
Box 90
Warner, Alberta, T0K 2L0

Phone: 403-642-2255
Fax: 403-642-2256

Jamie Meeks, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: jmeeks@warnercounty.ca

Cathy Preston, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: cpreston@warnercounty,ca

Kerry Hyatt, Municipal Conservation Technician
E-mail: khyatt@warnercounty.ca

Successful Programs:
Crop Protection
  • Roadside weed control involving annual patch and spot spraying applications.
  • Restricted and noxious weed control by monitoring and eradicating Knapweed and Scentless Chamomile, Oxeye Daisy and control of Leafy Spurge, Hoary cress, Baby's Breath, Canada Thistle, Perennial Sow Thistle, Common Burdock, Yellow Toadflax and Peppergrass.
  • Hand spray noxious weeds along sensitive areas.
  • Budget for biological weed control
  • Mow the county road allowances as an alternate source of weed control in sensitive areas.
  • Grain bin fumigation services.
  • Shelterbelt insect control program
  • Participate in monitoring/survey for various pests: Grasshopper, Bertha Army Worm, Dutch Elm Disease and Black Diamond Moth.
  • Field inspections for Fusarium Head Blight, Clubroot and Virulent Blackleg.
  • Continue strong collaborations with other municipalities, agencies, etc. which achieve shared goals and counter invasive threats.
  • Maintain and provide specialized equipment and knowledge that will aid ratepayers in their pest control efforts.
  • On-Farm visits to provide timely information on noxious weeds to producers and encourage good agricultural practices
Soil and Water Management
  • Promoting Salinity Control and Awareness by working with AAF and producers, providing technical assistance based on landscape and watershed attributes.
  • Reclamation of saline lands.
  • GIS development and implementation
  • Surface water drainage coordination.
  • Beneficial Management Practice Extension
  • Range and Riparian development, planning and demonstrations
  • Solar Watering Station Demonstration
  • Environmental Stewardship Program
  • Education and Awareness for all producers and acreage owners to communicate and encourage sound conservation practices
General Agriculture Services
  • Rabies Surveillance Program, keeping our county at a low risk to epidemics.
  • Participate in problem wildlife and predator control/reported rat sightings.
  • Roadside seeding of newly constructed roads.
  • Pesticide container sites
  • Environmental Farm Plan and Growing Forward Information provider
  • Provide assistance with the Animal Health Act to mitigate disease risk and respond rapidly to an animal disease outbreak
Current A.S.B.:
Shawn Rodgers - Chair/Councillor
Morgan Rockenbach - Vice-Chair/Councillor
David Cody - Councillor
Randy Taylor - Councillor
Phillip Jensen - Councillor
Ross Ford - Councillor
Don Heggie - Councillor

Wheatland County

Agricultural Service Board
Hwy. #1, R.R. #1
Strathmore, Alberta, T1P 1J6

Phone: 403-934-3321
Fax: 403-934-4889

Russ Muenchrath, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: russel.muenchrath@wheatlandcounty.ca

Jason Regehr, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: jason.regehr@wheatlandcounty.ca

Ron Bartholow - Weed Inspector
Sarah Schumacher - Rural Extension Specialist
Sheldon Roes - Equipment Operator

Current A.S.B.:
Jason Wilson - Chair/Councillor
Glenn Koester - Councillor
Ben Armstrong - Councillor
Tom Ikert - Councillor
Donna Biggar - Councillor
Amber Link - Councillor
Scott Klassen - Councillor
Barry Van Laar - Member at Large
Rex Harwood - Member at Large

Municipal District of Willow Creek #26

Agricultural Service Board
Box 550
Claresholm, Alberta, T0H 0T0

Phone: 403-625-3351 ex. 229 (Carla)
Phone: 403-625-3351 ext. 260 (Rachel)
Fax: 403-625-3886

Carla Preachuk, Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: carla@mdwillowcreek.com

Gary Murray, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman
E-mail: gary.murray@mdwillowcreek.com

Successful Programs:

  • Restricted and Noxious Weed control along all roadsides as well as on public lands and private lands.
  • Wind erosion control.
  • Continued support of conservation programs
  • Annual "Legacy of Our Land" banquet

Current A.S.B.:
Ian Sundquist - Chair/Councillor
Josh Fankhauser - Vice-Chair/Producer Member
Glen Alm - Councillor
John Van Driesten - Councillor
Evan Berger - Councillor
Janet Walker - Producer Member
Jordie Waters - Producer Member
 
 
 
 

Other Documents in the Series

 
  The Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen: Executive
The Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen: Central Region Directory
The Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen: Peace Region Directory
The Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen: Northwest Region Directory
The Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen: Northeast Region Directory
The Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen: South Region Directory - Current Document
 
 
 
 
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Pam Retzloff.
This information published to the web on February 25, 2005.
Last Reviewed/Revised on January 25, 2019.