| | Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and CountiesWith a membership that includes all of Alberta’s incorporated rural municipalities, the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMD&C) is “involved in pretty well every area that affects rural Alberta,” says Jack Hayden, who has been the association’s president since 1998.
“We want to see healthy, sustainable communities in rural Alberta,” notes Hayden. The association pursues that goal through “our work with government and through our resolution process where suggestions come forward from our membership on how to move forward on issues.”
Hayden explains, “We serve as the lobbying voice and the communication connection between rural municipalities in Alberta and the provincial and federal governments.” Members of the AAMD&C meet with individual ministers to discuss priorities, and they also sit on a wide variety of committees, including many that relate to agriculture and the environment. For example, the association has representatives on the Advisory Committee to the Alberta Minister of the Environment, the Clean Air Strategic Alliance, and committees dealing with topics like water quality, wastewater systems, and private sewage.
One of the main environmental issues for many rural municipalities is proper land use. Hayden says, “There’s an awful lot of farmland being taken up already with our oil industry and the effects of forestry, but the expansion of country residential development has been a huge issue lately.”
Another important environmental focus for rural municipalities is to help farmers and ranchers adopt environmentally friendly practices. Their agricultural service boards and agricultural fieldmen have programs and activities, such workshops and demonstrations, on sustainable agriculture practices (see the following profile for more information).
The AAMD&C tries to set an example for environmental sustainability in its own operations — like the association’s new building. Hayden says, “We now are in the most environmentally friendly, energy-efficient municipal building in the entire nation... [For example,] we heat with geothermal. We make use of insulation that goes well beyond any provincial or national standards. We used recycled material in the construction of our building…. We have recycled tires in the stucco that add an extra R-value but also allow expansion and contraction of the surface with the differing temperatures so that it will last longer.”
Hayden says the AAMD&C and AESA Council share a fundamental objective: “We want a clean, healthy and sustainable environment in rural Alberta.” Bob Barss represents the AAMD&C on AESA Council.
For more information about the association, visit its website at www.aamdc.com.
Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen
Agricultural Fieldmen play a vital role in helping Alberta farmers and ranchers to better protect the environment. Taking care of the environment is a key part of making sure that agriculture is “here for the long run,” explains Kevin Glebe. Glebe is President of the Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen (AAAF).
Agricultural Fieldmen develop and implement programs to achieve the priorities and policies set by their municipality’s Agricultural Service Board (ASB). The specific programs and activities vary from municipality to municipality, depending on local issues and needs.
Fieldmen have both regulatory and extension functions. They are appointed as inspectors or regulatory officers to enforce four Alberta acts: Agricultural Service Board Act; Weed Control Act; Soil Conservation Act; and Agricultural Pests Act. Their extension activities cover various topics including environmental stewardship.
AAFRD “We have legislation to deal with soil erosion and weed concerns,” says Glebe. “But the preferred technique is to educate everybody and promote the right actions, and use the legislation only as a last resort.”
The AAAF serves its members in several important ways. Glebe explains, “It promotes educational and training standards for our members. For example, we provide in-service training every fall for all our members to make sure they are up to date. The Association also gives us an opportunity to work with other organizations for the betterment of agriculture.
As well, we have the opportunity as an Association to give input into new legislation that relates to agriculture.” Glebe notes that the AESA Program helps Agricultural Fieldmen get information about environmentally sound practices to producers through activities like workshops, seminars, field days and demonstrations. These local programs are targeted to local priorities.
Glebe believes the AAAF plays a valuable function on AESA Council. “Because we’re working at the local level and have a sense of what producers are looking for, we can then provide information to the Council on what the issues are and assist with promoting their objectives to producers.”
The AAAF is represented on AESA Council by Dennis Bergheim. For more information on the AAAF, visit the website at www.aaaf.ab.ca. |
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