2023 Agriculture Section

• 15,000 sq ft Industrial shop built on 42.8 acres in Lamont County adjacent to the town of Lamont. There is an approximately 15 acres of gravelled yard with partial chain link fencing. located at 195043 HWY 29 Lamont County Price $3,175,000 or call for lease price.

• W4-18-53-24-SW Plan 0826481 Block 2 Lot 1 5.02 acres yard site in Lamont County. Utilities at the property line. Price $49,000

• W4-18-53-26-SE N ½ Lamont County 80 acres property with a 60 ‘ by 40’ shop and the remainder of the land currently in hay. Price $235,000

• W4-20-55-27-SE Plan 1023701 Block 1 Lot 1A

Lamont County. 138.09 acres in the Lamont Heartland for industrial use. Located North of Highway 15 on Range Road 202. Price $4,400,000

TWO HILLS COUNTY RECREATION LAND

• W4-12-55-27 NW 146 acres with 1/2-mile frontage on the North Saskatchewan River. HWY 29 and RR 123 50± acres of cultivation power at property Nicely treed lot for a building site. Price $350,000

STRATHCONA COUNTY

• SW Part of NW –23 –53 –23 –W4 40.55 acres North of Highway 16 on Range Road 232 in proposed medium industrial zoning with CP rail line at the border of the property Price $7,200,000

• Parts of SW and SE -7-53-22-W4 located at Highway 21 and Lakeland drive 63.62 acres of development land with Highway 21 exposure. The property is within the Bremner and local Employment Area ACP with expected future use of industrial. Price $6,000,000

Lauren Hill Steven Hill

Norman Hill

farm full of Flower Power

Jana Semeniuk

Lamont County resident, Diana Shandro, left her teaching job nearly 10 years ago to be a stay-athome mom to her two children, having no idea she would eventually develop a love for growing flowers and turn it into a blossoming home business.

“I was learning to grow my own food, and a girlfriend of mine mentioned how flowers can be really useful in a vegetable garden for attracting pollinators and (other kinds of) bugs, so I started adding flowers,” she said. “Very quickly, I started enjoying growing flowers more (than vegetables), because you can just see the beauty from it so quickly.”

Two years ago, Shandro created Blossom Hill Gardens at her family’s small farm south of Lamont where she sells over 100 different varieties of freshly grown flowers and tubers, which are a thick piece of flower root for planting. A unique option for Shandro’s customers is to purchase monthly subscriptions where fresh cut flower bouquets are delivered weekly from June to Sept.

“Some people appreciate how much flowers can add to their lives when they have fresh flowers in their kitchen

that have been grown naturally, organically and haven't been shipped across the world,” she said. “There are no pesticides, (so) there's a smaller footprint. They are usually more unique and diverse flowers and you would get at the grocery store.”

Shandro also custom grows wedding flowers. She said the timing of her planting is important for brides who are looking for extra special fresh bouquets.

“My seed timing schedule is important to make sure I have certain colors and types for people having weddings or events that they've wanted certain things for,” she said. “I'll do specific work for weddings where I know the bride wants certain colors or styles. I have a (customer) who has a wedding at the end of June, and today, I was planting some white (flowers) that she wanted.”

Among the different flowers, grown by Shandro, are unique “hard to find” varieties such as Ranunculus (Buttercup), Anemones and Fox Glove but Shandro thinks Dahlias have an edge over the rest.

“They're just the most perfect flower. They're big and they produce so many blooms. They're very floriferous,” she

said, adding they cannot survive outside over the winter. “A lot of people will just let them rot in the ground over the winter, which is fine, but if you want to save them, dig them up and then store them over winter like you would a potato and then divide them in the spring and plant

Continued on Page 9

Strome producer turns dissatisfaction with feed into

Leslie Cholowsky

Over the past two decades, one Strome farmer has made a jump from being a hog and cattle producer to developing feed supplements for livestock.

Glen Yarham grew up as a second-generation farmer. Until 1994, the family had 150 swine plus their cattle herds. They got out of the hogs in 1994.

Glen, with more free time on his hands, moved into sales. He had seen a new extruded plastic product at the Edmonton Farm Show that he knew local farmers could use for silage covers.

It was his first foray into sales, and started him down a unique road.

Yarham now is the registered owner of multiple formulas of livestock mineral feed supplements, along with a line of probiotics.

When the company who produced the plastic silage covers started producing silage inoculant, Yarham tried it. The inoculant was designed to slow the rate of rot in silage.

“The first year, we used the inoculant ourselves. We ran some different trials on the farm, on hay and green feed. After that, I started selling it, too.”

Yarham says inoculant was relatively new in Canada at the time, and wasn’t as widely used as it is now.

Always looking for a way to get the best results with his own herd, in 1998 Yarham started research into probiotics and livestock mineral supplements.

“The inoculant company I was dealing with was already into probiotics.”

For Yarham, wanting better results for his herd, and getting a peek into what was being done elsewhere, through research drew him to learn more. “I was not content to purchase feed that was not giving me the results I wanted. I started making my own mineral supplements, but back then I didn’t understand how.

“I’m not a big company, I’m just a guy who was dissatisfied with my own results.”

In his pursuit of knowledge in the field, Yarham started training under a doctor who had really pioneered probiotic, mineral supplements, and inoculant research: Dr. Bob Ricer in the US.

For Yarham it meant spending the next four years travelling two weeks of every month to Norfolk, Nebraska to study with Ricer.

“I was interested in how to make animals healthier, and in how to feed them more efficiently, while also producing a healthier calf crop,” Yarham says.

He says under traditional diets it was normal to see gains in the neighbourhood of 3.5 lbs/day. “Today we’re trying for 5.5 lbs/day; with no feed waste, higher protein utilization, and higher energy from our feed.

“That comes through a specific formula of feed supplement.”

While he was studying in the US Yarham says, “I

saw the gains in the US, and I wanted to be part of what I was seeing.”

He started selling a probiotic formulation in 2004, when he was mentioned in a Western Producer article about probiotics gaining ground in Canada.

He started also playing in the mineral supplement business. In 2006, the Formula Feed brand was created.

Yarham says, “It was mainly us and our friends who used it. I was dissatisfied with what was available here, compared with what I had seen in the US. I started working with mineral formulations.”

But it wasn’t until he studied with Ricer, who spent his entire career in the field and who also took Yarham to see cattle “that sure didn’t look like mine,” that he started to see real results.

Yarham says, “Initially I had a 14-mineral program that we used on our cattle. I’ve refined it, and now have registered that formula with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).”

He says that once a formula is registered, it can’t be duplicated by another company.

By 2006 he had a mineral formula for sale. He says, “My first clients were those who had been my inoculant clients.”

Meanwhile, he was and still is constantly conducting his own trials, and taking part in others, on probiotics and mineral supplements.

“We discovered that certain mineral formulas resulted in the livestock absorbing feed more efficiently. So we started using mineral components to enhance our existing feeding program.

“We were feeding less with a higher gain.”

He said one of the most startling results of the mineral program was the low open rate he was seeing in his breeding, “In our own trials, we were seeing cows in calf as high as 93 per cent within 21 days. Most clients are happy with a 40-45 per cent rate in the first cycle. That’s huge money in the beef industry.”

Over the years, he says, especially those when feed was scarce, “We’ve definitely had our ups and downs, but ultimately we were doing what we could to help people keep their herds with the feed they had.

Continued on Page 8

It can take years of effort and planning to build a productive farm. Many exist today only because they have been passed from one caring generation to the next. It is our pleasure to pay tribute to the stability of our farming community and to those who have worked so hard to make it successful.

Farmers’ Advocate Office marks 50th anniversary

John Mather

Since 1973, when the first Alberta Farmers’ Advocate was appointed, its office has fielded more than 150,000 inquiries and provided a voice at all levels of government.

On March 22, Alberta Agriculture Minister Nate Horner and current Farmers’ Advocate Peter Dobbie celebrated the 50th anniversary of the office.

The original mandate of the office was to protect farmer’s and rancher’s land ownership rights

After five decades and 10 different premiers, the Farmers’ Advocate Office continues to have an integral role in Alberta’s agriculture industry.

The office has expanded its services to meet the changing needs of Alberta’s producers, providing support and guidance on a wide range of issues, including land use, environmental regu-

lations, dispute resolution, and administrative justice through fair process.

Speaking of the office during the 50th anniversary, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said, “Alberta’s Farmers’ Advocate Office has been a pivotal resource for our farming community, providing invaluable support and guidance to ensure that our agricultural industry remains strong and sustainable.

The office has always advocated for the needs of farmers and ranchers, ensuring that they have access to the information and services they need to succeed, and we remain committed to supporting this important institution and working together to build a brighter future for Alberta's agriculture sector for generations to come.”

Horner presided over a presentation of a plaque to Dobbie at a ceremony held at government

house.

“Over the past 50 years, the Farmers’ Advocate Office has been an integral voice of the industry, helping shape the direction of agriculture policy in our province and ensuring the needs of farmers have always been front and centre.” he said. “I’m honoured to celebrate this important milestone and recognize the contributions the office has made to the success and prosperity of farmers and ranchers in our province.”

“The Farmers’ Advocate Office has always put the needs of Alberta’s farmers and ranchers first. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are more committed than ever to providing the resources and support producers need to overcome any challenges they face now and in the future.” added Dobbie.

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Rural crime prevention part of UCP’s provincial budget

Patricia Harcourt

Rural crime in East Central Alberta is a major issue for residents, and is reflected in many statements that have been made by local officials when talking to their federal and provincial counterparts.

The province is addressing the issue in its latest budget that it is going to fight crime using an infusion of funds. It will increase public safety throughout the province with an extra $27 million to hire more Alberta Sheriffs and by providing “new tools” to fight rural crime.

The UCP government of former premier Jason Kenney had been spearheading an initiative to establish a provincial police force to replace the RCMP.

The new UCP government under Premier Danielle Smith did not include this replacement of police forces initiative in its first budget.

But the contentious issue also created a great deal of discussion in rural areas, where county councillors stated they want “more boots on the ground,” to help police fight rural crime as local municipalities were made to pay more for policing services. This in light of an increasing amount of crime often perpetrated by strangers coming into the area to steal vehicles, copper and other items.

Local detachments receive many alerts from residents every week regarding suspicious activity and vehicles in the countryside. Towns, villages and hamlets also have their share of persons entering for nefarious purposes, all of which must be responded to by local police.

This latest initiative from the province will add. new positions in several areas using $10 million of new funding, including courthouse security, prisoner transport and traffic enforcement on provincial highways.

Plus, new rural crime initiatives are being created out of $4.3 million. Alberta Sheriffs are to get two new plainclothes teams to assist RCMP detachments with surveillance and criminal targets.

The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency

Services is stressing the need for people to feel safe in their communities.

Mike Ellis said that, “this strategic investment will not only ensure the Alberta Sheriffs can continue the vital work they do every day to keep our communities safe.

“(But) it builds on strong cooperation with their law enforcement partners to create new and innovative ways of working together to protect Albertans,” he added.

The two new plainclothes teams are earmarked towards helping rural RCMP detachments for local investigations. This will be different from the existing response teams which focus mainly on serious and organized crime.

Local detachments

might also benefit from the province’s commitment to add 20 investigators to Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN), which works with civil enforcement to target problem properties where illegal activities are taking place.

SCAN will now be able to better investigate complaints from rural communities and provide police in smaller centres with more options for dealing with criminal activity. This will occur by opening up new officer positions based in the province’s regional hubs.

The initiatives have received a positive response from Alberta Crime Stoppers. Said Mark Holik, President of the organization: “Alberta Crime Stoppers is please to see the

Alberta Sheriffs working on these rural crime initiatives and strategies that will make our communi-

ties safer.”

The province’s budget will also fund the Sheriff Highway Patrol to train

and equip its members to assist the RCMP with emergencies and high priority calls.

They enhance the lives of people in our community,our country and around the world by producing the best foods and fibers.They take chances;brave harsh weather;and work long,hard hours to bring us the finest quality products. They're our area farmers, and we're happy to salute and support them!

Yarham

Continued from Page 5

We wanted to minimize overall costs but maximize the efficiency of purchased feed.

Yarham says change is not always easy going. “We’re fighting against feeding programs that ‘have always worked for us this old way.’”

He says he doesn’t push against that resistance. Up until now, most of his sales have been in southern Alberta, but he’s starting to make it more available around home, hiring a sales person so he can keep working with the research.

“So far, I’ve been counting on word of mouth. For most, it takes seeing the results for themselves to be ready to take a chance.

“I’m presently fighting against the whole rock-the-boat mentality when it comes to changing a feeding program.” He says smaller producers were his first clients. “They are often on the cutting edge before the bigger guys, but now the larger guys are taking notice of the results.

“What we are hearing from our clients is that others are noticing that difference, and saying ‘We

want that; what are you doing?’”

Since developing the livestock mineral formulations, Yarham added sheep formulations. “Canadian Wool Growers were using the product. It made their animals healthy, but also gave them thick healthy coats for wool.”

He also had an early equine product, “But I had no local customers, so I dropped it, but when I learned that some were feeding their horses with the cattle mineral, I tweaked it and brought it back in.” There’s already a swine formulation, and he’s in the middle of a hen research trial.

Yarham says this spring will be the real test for him, as animals who have been on the mineral program over the winter will be compared to those who haven’t.

“So far we are very happy with what we are seeing, and apparently so are others.” He adds, “We have customers seeing a difference in days, not months.”

Getting CFIA certified took a number of safety trials, especially the probiotic, which warranted $100,000 worth of testing. “I had to get CFIA’s approval to even do the testing on live animals.”

He’s definitely also had ups and downs. “Our first trial bombed. We didn’t understand

why it didn’t work until we discovered that what we had mixed our probiotic into killed it before the animals even ingested it.”

He’s done trials with as many as 25,000 swine. He says this provides him with an opportunity to test many things. “We do many trials at once. At one point we even tried to study the difference in methane production for animals on our formula.”

Dr. Ricer passed away in 2015. “He had slowed down, and was working on a book that encompassed his life’s work; to share that passion and research with others.

“I got that first-hand teaching from him and am now trying, imperfectly, to pass it on to the people who work with me.”

He says, “I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to learn this, and the ability to work with Dr. Ricer.

“Most guys might not be happy with their feed results, but they don’t have the time or opportunity to go to school for four years, or run 25,000-animal trials on new formulations.

“Right now I have clients doing research through me. I’m in the middle of one grass-fed trial, with minerals designed to keep gains high and animals

healthy with no drugs being introduced.”

Yarham says the minerals are as pure as he can find them, and because they are essentially a vitamin program, can actually decrease the need for drugs, “because we have a healthier animal.”

He currently has a large client who has fed Yarham’s mineral lines from calving, and is just now weeks away from butchering and eager to see the difference on the rail. “We are aiming for a unique carcass, by colour, by appearance, fat, and bone density.”

Yarham he has always used the same supplier for his minerals, who recently said to him,

“You’ve gone from someone playing around to being a big player.”

Now he says inoculant is the only product he sells that he doesn’t own, “but we own the research that we’ve done on using that product. We’re finding out things they don’t even know.”

Yarham bought out his partners in 2018, but says the company mission has never changed, “We’re here to try and make our customers more money. If they don’t, I’m also there to try and figure out what’s going wrong.”

This year he’s planning on expanding, with additional sales people hired (it’s only been him up until now), leaving him free to continue trials and research.

What’s different about PowerRich Fertilizer

When you compare the PowerRich fertilizer program with traditional fertilizer you’ll notice 3 big differences and they are:

PowerRich, along with your present nitrogen program, provides a total fertilizer. In addition to phosphorus and potassium PowerRich also provides all of the other nutrients that are either absent from your soil or in a form unavailable to your crops.

PowerRich fertilizer uses nutrients that are all compatible with one another. PowerRich uses primary, secondary and micronutrients which are compatible and are readily available to your crop.

The third main difference with the PowerRich fertilizer program and traditional fertilizer, is that rather than applying the fertilizer all in one shot, the PowerRich program is a 3 part program that is tailored to the different requirements of your crop as it grows.

Flower Power

Continued from Page 4

more of them. They multiply.”

Shandro is so taken with the magnificent blooms, she is looking at ways to create her own unique varieties of Dahlia.

“Dahlias (are genetically) designed to have eight variants on their chromosomes so they can have millions of varieties. I've collected seed for the ones I pollinate myself, and trying to combine traits that I want. I'm hoping that I'll get some beautiful surprises this year from the seeds that I grew; new ones that I can eventually put to market under my own names,” she said.

Shandro added that Dahlias are difficult to find. She said most flower shops don’t carry them because they don’t

ship very well.

Meanwhile, Shandro may have left her career in education behind, but said she never lost her love for learning and teaching. She said she’s spent a lot of time on the internet over the years learning about growing flowers, and amassed a big collection of gardening books. In addition, she likes to teach people about growing flowers by way of a newsletter her online customers can sign up for, and sharing her knowledge with children at the local elementary school.

“Some kids don’t like getting their hands dirty, that was amusing to me” she said laughing. “It’s fun to see them getting interested in plants.”

Shandro said she is also looking forward to hitting the road with her flowers this year by participating in farmers’ markets throughout the county.

Carbon tax breaks for farmers

John Mather

Farmers across Canada may get a break on the carbon tax a private members bill by Huron Bruce MP Ben Lobb is passed in the Senate. Lobb is confident the Senate will pass his amendment to the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, sooner rather than later.

If passed Bill C-234 would removed the carbon tax on natural gas and propane used on the farms to dry grains or heat barns.

“Sooner in parliamentary terms is a lot different than sooner, in farm terms. But, I think you could say in the next six to eight months there will be a final vote on the bill,” said Lobb. In a release, Canadian

Taxpayers Federation

Federal director, Franco Terrazzano said, after testifying before parliament’s Agriculture Committee, the parliament had passed the private members bill to remove the carbon tax from natural gas and propane.

This fuel is used to power grain dryers among other uses and according to the parliamentary budget officer could have cost upwards of $1 billion through 2030.

Terrazzano said ratepayers from across Canada contacted MPs arguing for the exemption that MPs from the Bloc Quebecois, NDP and Conservative had voted in favour of it. He added three Liberals even voted for the exemption.

The Bill passed through the Commons, Mar. 29 by a 176 to 146 vote.

Lobb told parliament when he argued for his bill a farmer in his rural Ontario region had shown him a natural gas bill from Dec. 2021 for $11,400 to heat a hog barn. At the time, the carbon tax accounted for 25 per cent of the bill or $2,900.

“Farmers do not get credit for any of the environmental good that they do,” said Lobb at the time. “They get no credit

for any of the carbon sequestration of their crops. They get no credit for their grasslands or woodlots. There is no credit for that.”

SALE BY TENDER FARMLAND - LAMONT COUNTY

This land is hereby offered for sale by tender, subject to the reservations, exceptions, and encumbrances contained in the existing certificate of title: MERIDIAN 4 RANGE 19 TOWNSHIP 56 SECTION 15 QUARTER NORTHWEST CONTAINING 64.7 HECTARES (160 ACRES) MORE OR LESS. EXCEPTING THEREOUT: 0.506 HECTARES (1.25 ACRES) MORE OR LESS AS SHOWN ON ROAD PLAN 3745J. EXCEPTING THEREOUT ALL MINES AND MINERALS. 115+ acres cultivated land, balance to road allowance, lease road, trees. Three streams of lease revenue. 8 miles NE of Lamont, one mile from Hwy 831.No residential acreage yet. Sale subject to judicial approval on notice to successful tenderer. All tenders must be in writing and include a deposit of 10% of purchase price in certified funds [bank draft] payable to Daniel J. Mol Professional Corporation in Trust. Tenders to be addressed to Daniel J. Mol Professional Corporation and must be received by the close of business Friday, May 5, 2023 c/o Kolinsky Law, 10807 Castle Downs Rd NW #212A, Edmonton, AB T5X 3N7. Balance of purchase price to be paid by solicitor's trust cheque or certified funds 30 days from date of Court approval or deposit will be forfeit. Cost of title insurance to be shared equally between Purchaser and Vendor to facilitate closing. No conditional tenders allowed and the highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. Tenders will not be opened in public. Tender price excludes GST. Purchaser is responsible for all costs associated with registration of the Transfer. Vendor makes no warranties with respect to the land and no representations as to the property's size/measurement, condition or environmental status. Any unsuccessful tenderers will have their deposit returned by regular mail. For further particulars please contact: dan@moladvocates.com or call 778-400-5710.

2023 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) -

Diana Shandro tending to her plants.

Federal budget increases interest-free portion of FarmCash

The federal government recently announced that the interest-free amount of spring FarmCash advances will increase from $250,000 to $350,000 for the 2023 program year, subject to passage of the 2023 budget.

The Alberta Wheat Commission, who administers the FarmCash program, said Monday that as of April 1, producers in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba can receive thier spring FarmCash advance, up to $1 Million.

The Advance Payments Program was created to provide agricultural producers with access to low-interest cash advances to meet their financing needs and improve their profitability.

FarmCash is one of 33 cash advance programs available to producers across Canada.

Created by producers, for producers, FarmCash provides access to funds quickly, with an online application process.

FarmCash, under the care of the Al-

berta Wheat Commission, continues to provide agricultural producers with access to low-interest (TD prime minus 0.75 per cent) or no-interest cash flow in as few as three to five days, along with responsive and knowledgeable customer service producers can count on.

“The Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) is proud to administer FarmCash as a service to agricultural producers that allows them to mitigate some of the challenges of modern-day farm financing,” says AWC chair and crop producer near Sexsmith, Greg Sears.

“Recently, farmers have taken hits to their bottom line through higher interest rates and volatility in farm input prices.

“With FarmCash, producers can count

on receiving the lowest lending rate available and having access to cash flow for their farm quickly and easily.”

FarmCash has made it easier than ever to apply, with priority agreement processing on behalf of producers and a new time-saving autofill feature for returning applicants.

“It’s the new way for producers to finance their farm inputs and grow their operation,” says FarmCash chief operating officer Syeda Khurram.

“Each growing season is a new opportunity to get your year off to the right start!”

With FarmCash, producers can use the funds to grow their farms by acting as a bridge gap, to purchase crop and live-

stock inputs, make equipment purchases, or even to realize interest savings by paying off their lines of credit.

Coinciding with the launch of the spring program year, FarmCash recently unveiled a redesigned website to make it easier for producers to find information and resources on the program.

Producers can visit the website and apply online for a spring advance without leaving their farm at FarmCashAdvance.com

The Advance Payments Program is a federal loan program administered by the Alberta Wheat Commission.

It offers Canadian farmers marketing flexibility through interest-free and low interest cash advances.

Lougheed Ag Society busy working on 100th and its future

Leslie Cholowsky

Lougheed Ag. Society is hard at work on making the 100th Lougheed Fair the biggest and best, and hopefully, not the last.

Ag Society President Iris Williams adds, “People are asking for the Ag. Society to help them, to help their groups or projects or activities; we need them to start thinking about how to help us.”

She says Ag. Societies support their communities: Lougheed’s certainly does. “Look at the hours our members put in to raise funds and all the things we help with.”

But expenses are threatening to swamp some of the smaller Ag. Societies, Williams says, pointing to Lougheed’s Field House insurance bill for 2023. “It’s over $22,000, and our power bill is around $6,000.” Ag. Societies do receive funding from the Province. It’s a set amount that is then distributed amongst the 291 Ag So-

cieties in Alberta, although Williams thinks there are only about 109 active ones.

“First the pot is split in two, with half going to Edmonton and Calgary,” she says. The remaining 50 per cent of provincial funding is split again, between a few of the next larger centres; Lethbridge, Red Deer, etc, then the remaining half (a quarter of the provincial funding) is split between the remaining 280-or-so Ag societies.

Williams says it still represents a nice bit of funding, about $30,000 for Lougheed.

“But you need to qualify for that funding by having an agricultural function; Rodeos, Stampedes, etc. or like us, the Fair.”

But when expenses start to pile up for small organizations like theirs, Williams thinks it gets harder and harder to motivate people to volunteer just to break even.

Williams says this year Lougheed Ag.

Society members will be helping the Hardisty Rodeo with manpower for their booth. “It’s a big job, and we know everyone is busy, but we will put a call out for help. We will pay their entrance fee into the rodeo and buy them a meal, and hopefully we will find enough people.”

Williams says in kind, the Lougheed Ag. Society would love to have some help with this year’s fair. “With it being the 100th, we would like if some of our long-time volunteers got a chance to enjoy the fair.”

The 100th has garnered a lot of community support in many ways, including financially, Williams says. They have been planning since the fall for this once-in-a-lifetime anniversary.

“We are growing; Lougheed has new people moving into the community and they are coming to our meetings.

“That’s definitely what we all need more of.”

Lougheed Fair is one of the largest

fairs in east central Alberta. Williams would like to see it continue, and thrive.

“We are thinking this year of holding a course, once the fair book is out, on how to enter the fair. Whether it’s photography, handicrafts, baking, or whatever, we’ll give some advice on how to enter, and what the judges are looking for.”

In Flagstaff County, she says, Ag Societies are also responsible for distributing recreation funding. “That’s something we all have in common regionally.

“I am positive there are more issues that we all share. I would like to have to opportunity to meet with other local Ag. Societies on a regular basis to share both solutions and ideas.”

Williams says a provincial mandate now requires Ag. Societies to include instructions for their dissolution.

“I know of two Ag. Societies who recently came to the point where they

Continued on Page 31

105-year-old Lamont Ag Society looking at the next 105 years

Jana Semeniuk

The Lamont and District Agriculture Society will celebrate 105 years of serving the Lamont area this year. They hold two major annual events, the 29-year-old Bullarama Supreme and the 35-yearold Summer Sizzler Rodeo which brought in over 4000 people last year, nearly doubling the attendance from previous years according to Ag society president Terry Eleniak.

While Eleniak said he is proud of the Ag society’s accomplishments and rich history, he worries there won’t be enough volunteers to maintain the society’s legacy once he and the other members are gone.

“The Ag Society is 105 years old and we want to make sure that we keep this legacy going,” said Eleniak. “If you pull us up on Facebook, or our website, you'll see we have some very loyal

people (but) we're not going to be around forever.”

According to the Alberta Agriculture Societies website, there are 291 Ag societies in Alberta.

Eleniak said keeping communities sustainable is dependent on community involvement in organizations such as the Ag society.

“I keep on hearing time and time again, that (towns) don’t have anything for families. (People say) ‘We want to be involved in something and there's nothing for us to be involved in’,” he said.

“There is (something for you to be involved in). There's the Ag Society.”

Eleniak explained that families do not need to have a background in farming to belong to the society, adding that new members will bring new ideas and events to the organization.

“Yes, agriculture is our bread and butter here in

this community, but what about having a farmers’ market? What about a trade show?” he said.

“(While being confined over the pandemic), it also allowed people to get into crafts. People are doing 3D printing, making models and learning how to pickle and make jams. (There’s also) people that (have) taken up sewing and doing embroideries, quilting and fine art, and the list goes on and on.”

A newspaper article from the Edmonton Bulletin showcased the Lamont Agriculture Society’s successful first town fair on Aug. 20, 1918. It was celebrated as a ‘real live agricultural exhibition free of fakirs or side-line attractions’. Highlights of the show were the vegetable exhibit, dairy and poultry as well as a contest for the largest collection of gopher tails (first prize winner had 152 while the second prize winner only had 71). Ex-

hibits also consisted of grains and grasses where wheat measured 42 inches and barley nearly four feet, in addition to horse competitions, hand crafted furniture, and home-making skills. Those who helped to make the fair a success were applauded in the article for creating a foundation that demonstrated that ‘mixed farming and other activities of the ladies and children make life worth living’.

Meanwhile, Eleniak said the Ag Society has gone through many changes over the years including a big move in 2015 from the town of Lamont where they used to host their events from the Lamont Recreation Arena. The move brought them to a 44-acre parcel of land they re-named the Conrad Schinkinger Memorial Grounds located

south of Lamont.

“The Ag Society moved out of town because we outgrew the facilities. We used to get 32-to-40-barrel racers coming through

over a two-day event. The first year (at our new location) we had 138 and now we have over 200,” he said.

Continued on Page 20

BeDevil

New sustainability partnership to support continued ag sector growth

The new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership will support the continued growth and prosperity of Alberta’s agriculture sector.

In Alberta, the partnership represents $508 million in funding over five years that will provide grants to programs that support the needs of Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food sector.

Alberta’s programs will aim to create new jobs and spur growth in the agriculture sector by supporting value?added processing competitiveness, attracting new investment and expanding irrigation capacity that will boost crop production.

"The new Sustainable CAP provides flexibility to deliver programs that will help producers grow their business and improve productivity while addressing the unique challenges of farming in Alberta,” said Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture. “Alberta's producers are among the best in the world when it comes to sustainable practices, and we will continue to support their efforts to feed the world while protecting the envi-

ronment for generations to come.”

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Marie-Claude Bibeau added:

“The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is an ambitious way forward while we collaborate to ensure economic, environmental and social success for the sector. This historic investment will help producers and processors in Alberta to innovate, to grow, to prosper and to be competitive.”

The programs will also continue protecting plant and animal health and animal welfare, managing risks to Alberta’s natural resources and investing in producer-led agriculture research.

Producers also have access to an enhanced suite of business risk management programs to help them manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farms and are beyond their capacity to manage.

In total, the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by Canada's federal, provincial and territo-

rial governments that supports Canada's agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

Compared with the current partnership, which expires at the end of the month, there is a $500-million increase in cost-shared funding. Half of this additional funding will help develop and implement the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, which will support carbon sequestration, and protect grasslands and wetlands on agricultural lands.

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership comes into effect April 1 and

replaces the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP).

Quick facts

• Sustainable CAP represents the fifth pan-Canadian agreement on agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products policy. It replaces CAP (2018-2023), Growing Forward 2 (2013-2018), Growing Forward (2008-2013) and the Agriculture Policy Framework (2003-2008).

• On March 6, the federal government announced that applications are being accepted for federal programs under Sustainable CAP that will take effect on April.

• The Sustainable CAP framework provides flexibility for Alberta to develop and deliver programs that are aligned with the needs of Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food sector and Government of Alberta priorities.

Lamont Ag

Continued from Page 14

“That’s why we needed 44 acres because our grounds are packed.”

Eleniak said holding regular farmer’s markets would also mean residents can ‘shop local’ while supporting their community.

“It's all about trying to keep the people within the community sustainable. There's a lot of communities that (hold regular) farmers markets

(where) people are bringing in their pickles, eggs, and government inspected beef. People in Alberta want to know where their food is coming from,” he said. “This is obviously an opportunity. But where we have the hurdle is, we don't have enough members. And we don't have enough people wanting to step forward to take on some of those initiatives and take the bull by the horn. And we need that for the Ag society to be sustainable.”

Condensed History of Lamont Ag Society up to 2020

• 1918 – Society chartered.

• 1933 – 1949 – Deactivated due to Depression and World War II.

• 1972 – Official opening of recreation centre held.

• 1975 – Official opening held for arena (hockey rink)

• 1978 – Society celebrates 60th anniversary with Dr. Grant MacEwan as Guest Speaker.

• 1987 - Spring Bust Out Rodeo held in the arena.

• 1992 – Rodeo renamed “Summer Sizzler” and held outdoors on newly built rodeo grounds.

• 1994 – First Bullarama Supreme held.

• 2009 – Rodeo grounds renamed “Conrad Schinkinger Memorial Grounds” in memory of lifetime member and volunteer who gave so many countless hours to the community. CFCW Radio established annual volunteer award in his memory.

• 2015 - Re-location of the Conrad

B B

Schinkinger Memorial Grounds to it's new home south of Lamont on Highway 831, and the first Summer Sizzler Rodeo hosted here.

• 2016 - First Bullarama Supreme hosted at the new location of the Conrad Schinkinger Memorial Grounds.

• 2017 - Barns dedicated to 2 families who contributed many hours to the Society, Stadnick Stable and Carter's Corral. They were moved to their permanent locations and a concession was built.

• 2018 - Lamont & District Agricultural Society celebrated their Centennial during the Summer Sizzler Rodeo in July.

• 2020 - Bullarama Supreme & Summer Sizzler Rodeo were cancelled under Alberta Health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first cancellation of the Bullarama Supreme since its inception in 1994.

Summer Sizzler

Fort Saskatchewan ~ Lamont ~ Smoky Lake

BIDDING STARTS MONDAY, APR. 24TH AND BIDDING ENDS FRIDAY, APR. 28TH

Accepting delivery of consignments from Friday, Apr. 14 to Friday, Apr. 21 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

ALREADY LISTED: 3 LARGE LATE MODEL FARM DISPERSALS! CONSIGN TODAY TO BE PART OF THIS BIG AUCTION!

Public Viewing:

Monday, Apr. 24th to Thursday Apr. 27th from 8:00 am- 6:00 pm & Friday, Apr. 28th from 8:00 am until NOON SHARP. At our yard: 2 MILES NORTH OF CAMROSE ON HIGHWAY 833. (47321 Sec, Hwy 833)

Friends of the Battle River Railway presents Battle River Train Excursions!

It’s the Experience - come ride the rails with us in 2023. With headquarters in Forestburg, the Friends of the Battle River Railway (FBRR) are delighted to offer private charters alongside a great lineup of theme-based excursions this year.

2023 Excursions

May 20: Sip N’ Ride

June 17: Historic Heisler Hotel

August 12: A Day on the Train

August 19: Explore Farm to Fork

October 14: Oktoberfest Train

Nov. 25 & 26: Murder on the BR Express

Upcoming Mini Train Rides

May 14: In Conjunction with Forestburg’s Mother’s Day High Tea on Sunday, May 14th, Take a mini train ride & Celebrate Mom!

July 1: Enjoy a mini train ride during Canada Day Celebrations in Forestburg. All proceeds donated to Flagstaff Food Bank.

For more information about private charters, renting the station, or any of our train excursions, visit:

www.battlerivertrain.com

Email friendsbattleriverrail@gmail.com

780-781-9260 www.facebook.com/battleriverrail

Lamont council considers non-traditional uses for farm land

Jana Semeniuk

During Lamont County’s March 14 council meeting, Senior Planning and Development Officer, Tina Cosby, clarified some non-traditional uses of land and how they could be included in the county’s current proposed Land Use Bylaw (LUB) and the Municipal Development Plan (MDP). The LUB/MDP has so far passed one reading but won’t be considered for second and third reading until after May 15 allowing the public time to forward any concerns with the proposed bylaws to the county.

Some of the possibilities for non-traditional agriculture Cosby listed in her presentation included solar farms, wind farms, vertical grow operations and bug farming.

She added that data centres are another nontraditional use of agriculture that are not currently a consideration for Lamont County.

“Data Centres are not contemplated in this LUB,” she said, adding that if anyone wanted to build a Data Centre in Lamont County they would have to apply and it would be a large enough change to the LUB that it would require a public hearing.

Cisco.com defines a Data Centre as a group of computers used by organizations for the re-

mote storage, processing or distribution of large amounts of data. That location could be in an urban building, or a facility on a few acres of farmland. In the Netherlands, Facebook’s Meta made plans to place a hyperscale 10,000 square foot

data centre in a small farming community in 2021 after local council changed their zoning plan to reassign agricultural land to industrial.

Meta put their plans for the facility on hold, however, after opposition from the local farmers

over energy consumption concerns.

According to Data Centre Dynamics, an increase in e-commerce and the COVID pandemic motivated the surge in data centres as more people shopped and worked from home thus more

companies required even more data storage.

Currently, Alberta has 22 data centres mostly located in urban centres.

Meanwhile, bug farming is another non-traditional use of agriculture that could be a

Continued on Page 31

While other kids were riding two-wheelers, you were moving haybales with the John Deer . You’re a farmer. You’re ready for your own operation.

Ask about our no-fee, ultra-low interest Future of Farming mortgages and loans for young farmers.

Alliance Branch 780-879-3644

Daysland Branch 780-374-3951

Killam Branch 780-385-3731

Sedgewick Branch 780-384-3912

To those who work in hectares, not hours

You have what it takes to run a farm. We have what it takes to get you started.

Mom and calf are doing just fine after successful calving season for local producers.

FARMLANDS FOR SALE BY TENDER

The following properties, which are located in Flagstaff County, are offered for sale by tender, subject to the restrictions, reservations and non-financial obligations in the existing Certificates of Title:

#1.MERIDIAN 4 RANGE 14 TOWNSHIP 45

SECTION 32

QUARTER SOUTH EAST

EXCEPTING THEREOUT ALL MINES AND MINERALS

AREA: 64.7 HECTARES (160 ACRES) MORE OR LESS

(Has yardsite containing old buildings and bins, existing septic system and water well, no power service. 120 cultivated acres more or less.)

#2.MERIDIAN 4 RANGE 14 TOWNSHIP 45

SECTION 29

QUARTER NORTH EAST

EXCEPTING THEREOUT ALL MINES AND MINERALS

AND THE RIGHT TO WORK THE SAME

AREA: 64.7 HECTARES (160 ACRES) MORE OR LESS

(Has dugout and surface lease which pays approximately $3300 +/- annually. 70 cultivated acres more or less.)

2023 property taxes will be paid in full by any successful purchaser without adjustment. No adjustment will be made for any surface lease payments received prior to closing date. Any successful purchaser will receive any/all future surface lease payments after closing date.

Tenders in sealed envelopes marked “Lockhart-Eastwood Tender”, with tenderer’s GST number and accompanied by a certified cheque or bank draft made payable to “Andreassen Borth In Trust”, for 5% of the amount of the tender, must be delivered before 12:00 noon on April 11th , 2023, to the offices of Andreassen Borth, 5014-50 Street, P.O. Box 727, Killam, Alberta, T0B 2L0, phone 780-385-3670. The sellers and any successful purchaser will share the cost of GAP Title Insurance to complete the purchase. Any purchaser obtaining mortgage financing will be responsible for payment of Title Insurance required by their mortgage financing.

Tenderers may tender on one or both parcels. Unless the tender specifies that the owner can only accept or reject the entire tender, owner may accept the tender as to one parcel and reject the tender as to other parcel. Tenders will not be opened in public.

The balance of the purchase price shall be paid to Andreassen Borth on or before April 28, 2023. Tenders are irrevocable and shall remain open until dealt with by the offices of Andreassen Borth. If a successful tenderer does not complete the purchase after acceptance of that tender, their deposit shall be forfeited. The highest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. The owner reserves the right to reject any and all tenders. Deposits received from unsuccessful tenderers will be returned to them.

For further information please contact Shari at 780-573-9085.

IRIS WILLIAMS PHOTO

Strawberry fields in the winter?

Jessica Nelson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Alberta winters aren’t typically the ideal berry growing season, but a project near Hinton is aiming to change that and potentially create a more sustainable strawberry.

In a world that is transitioning to net-zero the Latitude 53 project has been dubbed a “renewable energy and food security solution,” the project takes vertical gardening in Alberta to the next level by merging it with geothermal technology.

However, questions remain about whether projects such as these will be a viable solution for a carbon-neutral world.

Vic Reddy CEO of Freshbay, an indoor farming company, will be launching the “19-acre, or 800,000 square foot, controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facility.

“We anticipate, we have it projected, that for

Guenter’s

year one we're going to produce about anywhere from eight million to nine million pounds of strawberries,” he said.

The project has many partners and funding streams including Novus Earth – an Alberta-based renewable energy company, Freshbay, Mitacs National Research Organization, and the federal government of Canada — who contributed $5 million investment in Novus Earth to execute a frontend engineering design (FEED) study,” and the Town of Hinton.

Altogether, $6.6 million has been invested in the project.

The Town of Hinton has been studying the economic viability of geothermal energy in the area since 2015 but in 2018 found that geothermal energy would not be feasible as originally scoped, according to the Town website.

In 2022, the Town was approached by Novus Earth, the Town’s website stated, and the renewable

780-336-1330

energy company proposed “vertical farming facility heated from geothermal energy from a new drilled well.”

In a statement, Marcel Michaels, mayor of Hinton said they are delighted Novus Earth “has taken interest in developing this natural resource in our community.”

Michaels said the town “has supported the exploration of geothermal energy as a renewable heat source, recognizing the opportunity this resource presents to attract new economic investment and diversification, and to reduce the community’s carbon footprint.”

Reddy was in the cannabis industry for a decade before he decided to switch to food after he saw many in the cannabis industry failing.

He was introduced to Jeff Messner the CEO of Novus Earth and the two Alberta boys “hit it off.”

“We thought to ourselves, why don't we marry these two technologies, you know, geothermal energy with agriculture.

“We're looking at a lot of these indoor facilities that are having trouble keeping the doors open, keeping the lights on, etc. We kind of concluded that geothermal might truly be the key differentiator here,” Reddy said.

Harris said he can’t say if the Latitude 53 project will be a success.

“I'll be following the success or the outcomes of that project with a great deal of interest because their experience will tell everybody a lot about this particular use of a geothermal resource.

“The devil’s in the details on a project like this…or the answer is in the details. And I just don't know those details,” he said.

Kelly, Fay and staff

780-336-2282

Thanks to our farmers!

CANOLA: UA CountyGold

UA AlfaGold (both O.P. conventional & Argentine Variety)

Non-GMO, suitable for organic trade

FLAX: CDC Plava

BARLEY: AAC Connect 2R Malting

PEAS yellows: CDC Saffron

We salute farmers of today and tomorrow because they keep us fed. Without farmers and farming industries we would not be provided with the great variety of food we enjoy today.

OATS: CS Camden Milling

90’ Truck Scale, Custom Cleaning & Treating

Lefsrud Seed & Processors Ltd.

Kevin & Ed Lefsrud

RR #1, Viking, AB

Kevin: 780-336-5700 or 780-336-2500

Ed: 780-336-6700 or 780-336-2588

Email: lefsrud@telusplanet.net

Ph: 780-754-2121

Fax: 780-754-2239

Email: irmainsurance@baughan ca

CERTIFIED SEED FOR SALE

Wheat:

CWRS - AAC Brandon - Rated MR for FHB resistance

- Most widely grown CWRS variety in Western Canada for 5 years

CWRS - AAC Wheatland VB

-Wheat Midge tolerant

- Very good lodging resistance

CWSWS - AC Andrew - Great silage option

-In demand by milling and ethanol industries

Yellow Peas:

CDC Canary - Improved standability

-Early maturity

-Higher Yielding

Faba Beans:

CDC 219-16 - Zero Tannin

- Seed is smaller than Snowbird, larger than CDC Snowdrop

6-Row Feed Barley:

AB Advantage - Improved plump and bushel weight - Smooth awned

-High grain and forage yield

2-Row Malt Barley:

CDC Copeland - Strong demand by malting companies

Kittle Farms is looking for spring or full time help, contact Andrew at 780-385-4900 for more info.

Phone: 780-336-2583

Cell: 780-385-4900

Box 296, Viking, AB T0B 4N0

Dealer for Brett Young Forage Seed

Parcel #4 - NE 24-55-13 W4M

Located at 553048 Rge Rd 130

Being 18.76 Acres M/L with a House, Shop & More

Legal: Plan 0820021, Blk 1, Lot 1

Directions: 1 1/2 Miles West of Two Hills on Hwy #45 to Rge Rd 130, North on Rge Rd 130 for 3 1/2

Miles on the West Side or From the Junction of Hwy #29 & Rge Rd 130, 1/2 Mile South.

This Beautiful Property includes an Approx. 10

Year Old House with a 2 Car Attached Garage, Shop, Gazebo & Stunning Yard.

The Executive Style Bungalow sells with a Fridge, Stove, Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher, Water Filtration System and Window Coverings. It has 3 Bedrooms

Upstairs with 2 Bedrooms Down Stairs & 2 Extra Rooms Down Stairs that could be a Bonus Room, Playroom, Home Theater or Office Space. It is Heated by a Boiler with In Floor Heat & Forced Air. Only Thing Not Completed in this House is the Basement Ceiling.

The Property has a 50'x80' with 20' Ceiling Steel

Structure that has a 18'x18' Overhead Door & a 10'x10' Overhead Door, New Boiler in 2022, Heated & Spray Foam Insulated plus Plumbed for a Bathroom.

As well as a Heated Parking/Sidewalk in front of the 2 Bay Attached Garage which is 26'x25' on the Short Wall & 36' on the Long Wall with Styrofoam Block Construction, Water into the Garage & Door Openers. It also Sells with a Gazebo, Play Centre, Green House, Garden Shed Located Behind the House and

Parcel #6 - House Located in the Town of Vegreville, AB at 5630 48A Street - Plan RN80, Blk 17, Lot 9

Selling at 1009 Sq Ft Single Detached Bungalow on a Corner Lot comes with Many Upgrades in the Last 5 to 10 Years including All Windows Replaced (Except the Living Room Picture Window), Flooring, Interior Paint, Kitchen Counter Tops & Backsplash, New Basement Bathroom, New Poured Concrete in the Basement, Weeping Tile, Sump Pump, Furnace, Central Air Conditioning, Hot Water Tank & Shingles, Plus a Central Vac. 2 Bedrooms on the Main Floor & 2 Bedrooms in the Basement (One has a Gas Fireplace) Plus 2 Bathrooms. Plus a 26'x22' Double Detached Garage with a Newer Concrete Floor & Storage Shed. Sells with a Fridge, Stove, Washer & Dryer

Parcel #2 - N 1/2 of the

SE 10-55-12 W4M Located Near

Two Hills, AB - Being 65.75 Acres M/L

Legal: SE 10-55-12 W4M

Directions: 2 Miles East of Two Hills on Hwy #45 to Hwy #36, 1 Mile North on Hwy #36

65 Cultivated Acres that had Canola in 2022 & New 5 Wire Fence Last Year on 3 Sides.

Parcel #3 - S 1/2 of the SE 10-55-12 W4M

Located Near Two Hills, AB - Being 78.83 Acres M/L

Legal: Plan 1820005, Blk 1, Lot 2

Directions: 2 Miles East of Two Hills on Hwy #45 to Hwy #36, 1 Mile North on Hwy #36

Approx. 70 Cultivated Acres that had Canola in 2022 & New 5 Wire Fence Last Year on 3 Sides.

Real Estate Transactions are being Handled by Morrison Realty Kim Hughes (403) 704-3141

Sandy Craig (403) 358-8203 & Allen Olson (403) 783-0556

Parcel #1 - NE 20-55-11 W4M Located at 553056 Rge Rd 114 Being 161 Acres M/L with House, Shop & Barn

Legal: NE 20-55-11 W4M

Directions: From Two Hills, East on Hwy #45 to Hwy #36, North on Hwy #36 to Twp Rd 554, East on Twp Rd 554 for 4 Miles to Rge Rd 114, South on Rge Rd 114 for 1/4 of a Mile

The Barn Shaped House sells with a Completely Renovated Kitchen, Fridge, Stove, 2 Washers & Dryers, Some Window Coverings & Water Filtration System. It has an Upstairs Master with a Walk In Closet & Ensuite, plus 2 Small Bedrooms & an Unfinished Bathroom. The Kitchen is Located in the Original Part of the House. In addition the Basement contains an Updated Bathroom.

The Property Sells with a Steel Quonset that is 41' Wide by 82' Long of which 44' is Divided and Insulated with a Wood Heater that Stays with the Property. It also sells with a 30'x60' Coverall Building, a 20'x24' Garage on a Cement Pad, Corrals & Panels. Plus a Shelter, Numerous Older Granaries/Outbuildings, Dog Run, Dog Houses, Garden Shed, Perimeter Fence Installed about a Year Ago & 2 Water Wells, one for the Barn & one for the House but Little Is Known about the Barn Well.

The Hip Roof Barn has New Tin Roof & an Automatic Waterer Located Near. New 5 Wire Perimeter Fence Last Year. Approx. 145 Cultivated Acres that had Wheat in 2022.

Parcel #7 - House Located in the Town of Two Hills, AB at 5018 52nd Ave - Plan 8309ET, Blk 13, Lot 2

Selling a Small Home with a Large 28'x28' Detached Heated Garage on a 150'x50' Lot. With a Kitchen, Living Room & Bedroom on the Main Floor, Plus Small Bathroom off the Kitchen. The Basement is Unfinished. This home has Central Air, an Updated Furnace & Hot Water Tank. It Sells with All Appliance (No Dishwasher) and Window Coverings.

The 28'x28' Double Car Garage comes with a Cement Floor, Insulation, Heat & Electric Door Opener.

Parcel #5 - 4.7 Acre M/L Residential Property Located in the Crissel Estates Subdivision of Two Hills, AB Legal: Plan 1722361, Blk 1, Lot 12

Directions: West of Two Hills on Hwy #34 to Rge Rd 125, North on Rge Rd 125 for 1/4 of a Mile, West Side of the Road.

There is Power to the Property Line, However there are No Municipal Services for this Lot. The Purchaser will need to Drill their Own Well and Install a Septic System. Currently Zoned Country Residential.

O H :

Vegreville & Two Hills Houses

April 1st & April 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon

Farms & Acreages

April 1st & April 8th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

By Appointment

Jacob 780-632-9365, Aaron Olson 403-913-9644

Allen Olson 403-783-0556

License No. 165690

RCMP to see mandated use of body cams

John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Alberta government is seeking to build more trust between police officers and the communities they serve by mandating body-worn cameras for all detachments in the province.

A release detailing the decision was distributed last month, suggesting officers are responding to more complex calls, often requiring thought-out, multi-pronged approaches, and split-second decisions during encounters.

“Mandating police to wear body-worn cameras is a transformational decision that will ensure all interactions with officers are objective. Whether living in large cities or smaller rural communities, Albertans have the right to feel safe and have trust that police will assist and be fair in doing so,” said Mike Ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services. “Alberta will be the first province to mandate body-worn cameras as we work to position Alberta as a role model for safe, secure communities across the country and North America.”

The Alberta government is partnering with the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) to develop the mandate and standards required to implement the use of bodyworn cameras.

In addition to costs and logistics, this partnership also includes conversations with front-line officers from municipal police services as well as Indigenous police services.

According to Strathmore Detachment Commander Mark Wielgosz, the cameras have the potential to influence court evidence, officer and public accountability, as well as the protection of officers and the de-escalation of situations.

“Not unlike the cameras that are already equipped in our police vehicles and microphones that our members currently wear, it’s the best way to have an independent point of view, as far as the best evidence to be collected when our members are at-

tending calls for service,” he said. “For criminal matters and reproducing our members’ observations, when it comes time for court, it’s certainly very helpful when we’re able to present that independent point of view to the courts when it comes to deciding factors on criminal matters.”

Recordings will serve as concrete evidence of interactions between officers and the public, be it for criminal matters, or more routine stops.

Wielgosz added be believes being on record will help the RCMP to be more transparent, as well as to influence both their, and the public’s behaviour, as they will be on record.

“It’s another way that we can be transparent with members of the public as well as making sure that we’re able to resolve public concerns. Also, there is a level of accountability when it does come to our members as well,” he said. “Even with the car video systems, personally, I’ve had experiences where I’ve reminded a person that they’re being recorded in the backseat of a police car, and I’ve seen immediate changes in their behaviour.”

It was not detailed in the province’s release exactly when the cameras would be rolled out an in effect, nor which municipalities would be the first to see them.

Iron Creek Vet Hospital is wishing everyone a safe and successful calving season!

(780) 384-0003

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Glen: 780-385-0878 Lori: 780-608-6810

Jason: 780-781-5776 or visit us at: yarhamsales.ca

Lougheed Ag Society

Continued from Page 11

simply walked into the local village or town office and handed over the keys.”

In Lougheed the Field House and contents are owned by the Lougheed Ag. Society, and the land is leased to them by the village on a long term (100-year) lease.

As mentioned, the insurance costs and power bills eat almost the entire allocation from the

Land Use

Continued from Page 22

consideration for Lamont County. Although the high protein insects are used mostly for pet food, one Alberta organization tried to produce and market crickets for human consumption.

Camola Foods was a small company who began Alberta’s first cricket growing for human consumption operation out of a seacan near Edmonton. Their products, which included high protein cricket powder pancake mix in addition to biscuits and cookies, was featured on Global news in 2017. By 2021, the company’s name changed to Entergy Farms and the seacan was acquired by a farm from Innisfail who shared news of their expanding agricultural activities, namely cricket farming, on their social media page. Entergy Farms did not respond to interview requests, nor

Province, forcing the organization to raise funds for anything they want to do, and raise funds to cover the rest of the expenses of the building.

One hundred years ago, the founders may never have considered that the agricultural society would one day work to merely exist.

Williams says she is genuinely concerned with the 100th aftershock.

“I want this organization to continue, and to thrive.

“It doesn’t cost you anything to be invested in your community. Everyone has something to contribute.”

has their social media pages displayed any activity related to their cricket farming since Feb. 2022.

Meanwhile, Lamont County Reeve David Diduck said he had reservations about a possible bug farm moving into the county.

“The issue I have with bug farming is they are not the cleanest tidiest type of operations going,” he said.

Google reviews for the company Enterra Feed Corp., who opened an insect production plant north of Calgary in 2020, appear to agree with Diduck’s sentiments. Enterra received $6 million from the federal government to open the facility which produced black soldier flies, whose larvae are fed a mixture of food waste and agricultural byproducts, as a high protein ingredient for pet food. Although the company went into receivership in Nov. 2022, their negative google reviews remain online.

This year the Lougheed Fair, presented by the Lougheed Ag. Society, hopes to hold an informative course on how to enter the fair. Above: rows of pickles show fierce competition in this popular category.

With 37 different sizes and three profile of caps, we can provide caps for most packer wheels on the market. Material is 7 gauge or 3/16 and two piece for easy installation.