March 31 Lamont Leader

Your news this week: Stairclimb fundraiser - 3 Moderna vaccine arrives in Lamont - 8 Salute to Agriculture - 2nd section OPINION: Separation reasons mount - 4

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Vol. 16, No. 18, Wednesday, March 31, 2021 www.LamontLeader.com

Lamont Bike Park to begin construction After almost a decade of planning and fundraising, new facility well-deserved

Lamont Councillor Dave Taylor stands in Hillside Park with a diagram of the new bike park which will be built next month, after nine years of fundraising and planning. Sixteen-year-old Erik Taylor rides his bike through an old BMX track in Hillside Park.

SEE STORY PAGE 2

2 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021

A decade of planning bike park becoming a reality for Lamont

BY JANA SEMENIUK Nearly a decade after fundraising began, a bike park project slated for Lamont’s Hillside Park will finally begin construction next month.

“It’s pretty exciting.

Hopefully by the end of summer it will be full of kids riding,” said Lamont Councillor Dave Taylor, who spear headed the project which began in 2012.

“It should take about a month to build.”

Taylor described how the park will look once construction is complete.

“The (current) paved paths are great for people to walk on, but we are looking at something a little more engaging.

We’re building a Pump Track which is a laid-out course, about 3,000 square meters, for kids to practice their (bike) skills,” he said. “They use their momentum and their bike to pump around the track with jumps and corners and berms to ride on. We are hoping to include some wood features which are flat parts you can ride your bike across.”

Taylor further added that the park will be safe for everyone.

“It’s all low to the ground. The big parks have massive table top jumps for people to jump their bikes off of. We eventually want to get there but for now we are starting small with a Pump Track and a few features around the outside with some little jumps here and there. It’s a skills or a trials course for bikes,” he said.

Taylor explained how the idea was formed nine years ago when it became apparent the children in Lamont were having difficulty finding appropriate places to practice on their bikes.

“In 2012, a bunch of kids were looking for something to do so they were using the hospital parking lot to jump their bikes off the cement berms and doing what kids do on bikes,” he said. “Harold James, the former hospital chief administrative officer, told us he wanted the kids to have a safe place to enjoy and the parking lot was not it. He wanted us to work with the town and work on something

for the kids to do.”

Not yet elected to council, Taylor took action in looking for a solution.

“We approached some people in town and at the school to see what we could do and from there we loosely formed an ad hoc bike and skateboard park committee,” he said. “When we presented the idea to council, more than 25 kids went up and read letters they wrote. The little council chambers was packed.”

Taylor said that once council gave their blessing with a forwarded motion to approve the building of a bike park, the fundraising started.

“Funding has been the biggest issue. Our first fundraiser was almost 10 years ago at the Summer Sizzler Rodeo where we organized the Chili Cook Off. I think we had six entries and by the time we paid off all of our expenses we made around $25 dollars. But boy was it fun!” he said.

Since then, Taylor has been grateful to local organizations who have partnered with the small group to facilitate many fundraising events.

“The Lions Club and the Friends of Lamont Fire Department have been great partnering with us to fundraise,” he said. “Local businesses have sponsored us as well, such as Pembina Pipelines and a few others.”

While support has been strong for the bike park committee, Taylor admits progress has been slow because they have not had access to large funding opportunities that other communities have had.

“The big industrial plants cut off their funding at Bruderheim. I’ve gone to Shell and asked them why, and they explained it to me that they have to draw a line somewhere and that’s where the line is drawn.

So, they (other communities) have access to a lot of money we don’t,” he said. “Governments have changed the way they do grants as well so we are on our own here.

We have successfully applied for some small grants but keep applying for the bigger ones and hopefully one year we get it.”

In the meantime, Taylor is grateful for the community support in the upcoming construction.

“Schinkinger Trucking is going to help us haul the clay and truck it over here, and Webbs is going to donate the use of a bobcat and plate tampers. They have donated these services which frees up our money to do project stuff,” he said happily.

Although the bike park will be new for Lamont, it was not a new idea.

Taylor explained how Hillside Park was once home to a well-defined BMX track.

“The area around the big hill is an old BMX pump track from decades ago in the early 90s. When they built the hill and dredged the storm water pond out, they grabbed some clay and brought it in creating some launch points with some berms and made a really defined BMX track,” he said.

“Now this (new) one will be for anyone and not just BMX. It will be really accessible, you won’t have to pedal or work as hard and you can do more skills and trials development.”

Taylor’s 16-year-old son Erik was also enthusiastic about the opening of the park.

“I’m pretty excited. It’s been a long time and I’m tired of going all the way to Sherwood Park just to get some jumps,” he said. “If we open a new bike park here everyone will have a safe designated space for riding with-

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out making people mad.”

Taylor beamed as he spoke about the upcoming expansion to

Lamont’s Hillside Park.

“We are going to have a really neat feature in this wonderful park where there’s baseball, a

playground and a pavilion, and now there will be a Bike Park,” he said proudly.

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The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - 3

Stair climb fundraiser a complete success

BY JANA SEMENIUK An online auction fundraiser, held this past weekend by the Lamont County Emergency Services Stair Climb team netted the group over $2,000.

“I thought it was

incredible,” said team Captain, and Bruderheim Fire Department Captain, Correen Hosack. “We’ve never done anything like this before and I wasn’t sure what to expect.”

Hosack admits that

while fundraising continues to be difficult for the Stair Climb team due to COVID restrictions, the online event has given her hope.

“Last year we didn’t even come close to our fundraising goal because

Lamont County Emergency Services team captain Correen Hosack loads up auction items for delivery to the successful bidders of an online auction fundraiser they conducted over the weekend. The event brought in over $2,000 for the group who are raising funds for their annual Stair Climb Challenge which donates to Wellspring Calgary in support of those living with cancer. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

of COVID,” she said.

“We only raised a total of $9,000 and our goal was $30,000. This year, with a goal of only $15,000, we raised $2,000 in one event which puts us at $10,000 so far and we still have a month left.”

Rules for the online auction stated the bidding opened to items posted in an online group at 7 a.m. on Mar. 27 and closed at 6 p.m. on Mar. 28. Participants bid on items by listing their bid in the comment section under the items post by increments of at least $5. Over 30 contributors donated more than 50 items to the auction which ranged from hair care products and liquor to dog training sessions and mechanical equipment.

The Fire Fighter Stair Climb Challenge contributes to Wellspring, an organization that sup-

ports those living with cancer. Not to be confused with the local Stair Climb event in Sept. which honours fallen first responders of 9-11, this Stair Climb event, which has taken place each May for the past seven years, was first inspired by Kathy Blas who lost her brother, firefighter Gord Paul, to occupational cancer in 2007. Firefighters usually ascend the Bow building in Calgary, which is 775 vertical feet or 1,204 steps, in full firefighting gear. The climb starts at 3,400 feet above sea level and is timed.

While the team conducted their climb last year at the Bruderheim Fire Hall with individual results posted online, Hosack said this year’s climb will take place outdoors in Edmonton.

“Last year’s climb was done at the very last

minute because of COVID. It’s not great when the place you train is the same place you compete. It’s not much fun,” she said. “So, this year, even though we don’t get to go to the Bow Tower, we will be going to Whitemud Park to the stairs in the River Valley. We will be going up and down them five times.”

Hosack further stated that although five times does not seem like a lot, the team will still be challenged.

“It’s still 1,204 stairs, just like the Bow Tower in full firefighting gear,” she said.

The Lamont County Emergency Services Team will be conducting their stair climb in May and will be accepting donations for the next month.

4 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Opinion Another reason for Western separation support

BY JOHN MATHER So the Supreme Court of Canada ruled Justin’s Carbon Tax is constitutional and well within the scope of Federal jurisdiction.

Now six of the unelected Supreme Court justices have provided more ammunition for western separation.

That stupid tax, which by the way goes up again tomorrow (April 1 and that’s no joke), is not supported in Western Canada.

Doesn’t the Federal government realize when two of the country’s largest provinces oppose it, it might not pass the smell test.

The Central Canada Supreme Court obviously agreed with Justin with six yes, and only three justices opposed.

Once again the West has had its concerns ignored and ruled against by Central Canada. Further this approval could allow the Federals to intrude in provincial jurisdiction, if they deem it to be in the national interest.

Here at home, the Alberta Party was quick to slam Premier Jason Kenney for “wasting taxpayers’ money.”

Opposition Leader Rachel Notley said Kenney’s decision to fight the federal carbon tax caused “two years of damage to Alberta’s reputation with global investors.”

“Instead of getting Albertans back to work, he gave away our control over a made-in-Alberta climate response plan,” she said.

“He has been distracted for two years with this particular battle, which many people suggested he was not likely to win.

Another former deputy premier who seems to have lost his mind to left-wing causes also slammed it as Kenney’s folly, adding Kenney dumping millions on losing causes seems to be UCP policy.

Maybe he’s right.

Kenney does seem to support losing causes. But I think he does it because he has Alberta’s best interests at heart.

If he did nothing these same naysayers would be blaming him for not standing up for Albertans’ rights.

Now, Erin O’Toole, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, has said he’ll cancel the carbon tax if his party forms the next Federal government. I’ll believe this when I see it since it’s difficult to cancel something despised by a large block of your faithful supporters in Western Canada yet loved by the deep pocketed financial supporters from Central Canada.

Continued

CONTINUED And while Justin’s government can crow about how everyone agrees with this decision because it’s the way forward as Canada positions itself at the front of the climate battle on the world stage, he could also argue that the Carbon Tax will create jobs.

It will require many new bureaucrats to administer the program, track down people not following the regulations and fine them (a secondary source of revenue), and people to actually do the bookkeeping of the tax payments.

Hell, he might even create a new building for those dealing with the Western provinces.

Now I doubt he’ll call it the Western office to

appease us but probably locate it in Markham, Ont. or maybe Oshawa, Ont. to provide work for those displaced auto workers in the area.

And it is west of Ottawa so he wouldn’t be lying calling it a western office. A win win all around for Trudeau.

And since those workers will all be in electric cars since there’s no oil or propane in Ontario after Line 5 is shut down by Michigan, it allows Trudeau and his green followers to smile even more as they control such a minuscule part of the pollution environment, while China, India and the rest of Asia merrily blast massive amounts of CO2 into the earth’s atmosphere.

No doubt they’ll capture the market for electric cars

to be sold in eastern Canada. And no doubt those vehicles will have been manufactured in India or China.

Trudeau’s game plan with his climate policies seems to be intent on killing Canada’s industrial development in favour of creating a utopian society where paper pushing done from home becomes the major employer while others are paid by the benevolent government to stay at home and just vote for the Liberals when an election rolls around.

A Liberal vote will keep those cheques coming and who cares about increasing the debt.

However I don’t think the west’s version of a utopian society matches that of Central Canada’s!

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The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - 5

FROM WHERE I SIT: Choice is Clear

BY HAZEL ANAKA In previous columns I’ve mentioned how YouTube saved my sanity during the past year.

Prior to Covid, when I heard people talking about YouTube, it was usually in conjunction with young men suffering arrested development doing dumb things with a camera rolling. Or they were cute baby videos. Or cute dogs doing unbelievable tricks. Or cats being cats.

Then I stumbled across the how-to videos. If I hear a loud man’s voice in the house, it’s typically Roy tuned into a video showing how to remove a tricky fuel filter or change a belt or access a whatchamacallit from a doohickey.

For me it began when I invested last spring in some online courses.

Inevitably, the instructors had websites, YouTube channels, Facebook groups, and Instagram accounts that they directed us to.

Eventually, it dawned on me that there is plenty of

free content to be had online. And just as your parents warned you, ‘you get what you pay for.’ Some content is incredible; others not so much.

Some hosts/instructors/experts (what is the correct term?) are likeable, informative, smart cookies. Others not so much. What especially drives me batty are the live videos. They typically last two or more hours. They consist of the host acknowledging and saying hi to the people who are watching and commenting.

There’s more BS than instruction; more lost focus and repetition than straightforward teaching. Maybe they have their place, especially in these days of social isolation, but to me it’s annoying and a colossal waste of time.

What I appreciate most in the people I watch is intelligence, a sense of humour, proficiency, humility… the same qualities I want in ‘real’ people I interact with. I understand that putting yourself out there in the toxic soup called the internet automatically attracts the cranks and cuckoos.

Sometimes there are subtle references to those who comment and criticize. I

think that explains the political correctness and safe, bland, superficial approach to presenting the material. That’s why I love those who dare use bigger words than ‘Today, we’re going to play! Isn’t that fun?

Oooh, that’s pretty.’ I say if you’ve got a vocabulary, use it. Don’t be afraid of making your audience stretch and grow. Don’t just appeal to the lowest common denominator. Convey information, make cultural or dated references, don’t waste our time.

I understand that for the YouTube makers subscriptions, notifications, comments, thumbs up all matter for algorithms, searchability, and placement. It’s a way of keeping score. FYI, they can control, for the most part where, when, how many and how often ads appear during their video. And, yes, I understand ads are a necessary evil so we can have all this “free” content. For the longest time, I was reluctant to put myself out there and comment.

Then I remembered the law of reciprocity… if one day I have a channel, I’d want people to comment. For the record, I never said anything unkind or critical (no one had a gun to my head, I

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can stop watching anything I deem dumb or poorly done at any time).

Nor did I do the vapid, shallow, easy “love it” comments. I put some thought and analysis into my comments. I used as many words as I needed to make my point. With few exceptions, I got replies that thanked me for my kind, insightful, thoughtful words. Please understand, I don’t say any of this to polish my image. I believe we have a collective duty to make YouTube and every other online tool better. If we don’t accept (or con-

tribute) crap, it’ll be better. If we are kind and thoughtful, content will be better. If we stay away from those products and personalities that annoy us and waste our precious time, it’ll be better.

If, like me, watching YouTube and Netflix has largely replaced watching satellite TV, understand that your data plan will suffer. On Friday evening, when we needed to get online—Roy for an online auction he was bidding on and me for my daily fix of tutorials, we couldn’t. Booting and rebooting the system did nothing. Like addicts

needing to score a hit, we were getting increasingly desperate. Imagine my shock when I called MCSNet and found that we’d maxed out our monthly 325 gigabytes of data and we still had five more days to go before month end. What’s a girl in withdrawal to do?

More than double the gigs, of course! We’re now getting 800 gb/month for only twenty dollars more a month.

Crisis averted as the upgrade only took a few minutes. YouTube: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

My choice is clear, from where I sit.

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6- The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Beveridge resigns as Town of Lamont CAO

BY JOHN MATHER At a special meeting of Lamont Town Council held Mar. 26, Lamont Chief Administrative Officer Christine Beveridge tendered her resignation and it was reluctantly accepted by council.

“At the special meeting she gave us her resignation and we discussed it and accepted it,” said Lamont Mayor Bill Skinner.

He said Beveridge will be staying on at the Town until the end of May because her contract had called for a two month notice.

“Her last day will be the 28th of May,” he said.

Beveridge said she will be assuming the role as the Chief Administrative Officer at the Town of Edson, a job she will start on June.1.

“It’s a town of 8,400 people and it will be a great challenge,” she said.

Skinner said while the council didn’t like losing Beveridge, her departure won’t affect the town’s ability to prepare for the

upcoming municipal elections or in any future handling of the pandemic restrictions in the town.

“We have a clerk who has handled the elections for a number of years and our public works and infrastructure staff can advise us on pandemic restrictions,” he said.

“Where Christine will be missed is the management side of administration,” he added.

“Christine brought a lot of knowledge on government, knowledge of the Municipal Government Act and strong legal knowledge.”

He did admit the town had a reasonable timeframe to search and find a replacement.

“Typically it takes a number of weeks to find candidates and then narrow that down to a short list. Then once you have selected the candidate, they are generally employed so they have to give notice to their employer,” he stated.

“We’re going to start that process as soon as possi-

ble because we don’t want to leave the position vacant for any length of time.”

The resignation leaves two vacancies to be filled at the top of the town administration because administrative assistant Dreena Guptill had resigned and actually been away from the town office since last October.

“We’ve had someone temporarily filling that position but we’re currently advertising for that position.”

Skinner said the resignation came as a “bit of a shock” for the council.

“Christine herself wasn’t looking for a move,” he reported. “It wasn’t any difficulties between her and the council leading up to this. A headhunter came along and made an offer to her that would be an advancement for her career and she felt she had to act on it.”

Reflecting back on her career as Lamont’s CAO Beveridge feels “there were so many things we worked to achieve and

having the support of council all the way through is one of the things I’ll always remember.”

“Developing a strategic plan and embracing and moving towards asset management.

That’s a big commitment for the community but it’s important for the future planning of the community.”

“It goes back to working with the council and they were supportive of progressing and I was able to work with them towards achieving their

goals for the growth of the community.”

She added having to work through a pandemic in the time she was CAO was “very challenging.”

“I have to say having a great staff that rose to those challenges was great,” she added. “The dedication that is there in that small group… it really helped provide the services to the residents, and while those services are limited they are still being offered.”

Skinner reflected back that when she was hired

on Jan. 2, 2019, he felt she was a “rising star” and at some point she would move on to bigger things. Prior to joining Lamont she had worked with the City of Fort Saskatchewan, Sturgeon County and Parkland County.

“I was hoping we would have been able to keep her a little longer than we have, but the reality is when opportunity comes along you have to evaluate them and this was a great career move for her.”

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REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 16th, 2021 COACHES NEEDED VILLAGE OF CHIPMAN Public Sale of Land Notice is hereby given that under the provisions of the Municipal Government Act, the Village of Chipman will offer for sale, by public auction, in the Village Administration Office, 4816-50 Street, CHIPMAN, Alberta, on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. the following lands: LOT(s) 17

BLOCK 1

PLAN 5250-Q

Each parcel of land will be offered for sale subject to a reserve bid and to the reservations and conditions contained in the existing certificate of title.

The land is being offered for sale on an “as is, where is” basis and the Village of Chipman makes no representation and gives no warranty whatsoever as to the adequacy of services, soil conditions, land use districting, building and development conditions, absence or presence of environmental contamination, or the developability of the subject land for an intended use by the purchaser. No bid will be accepted where the bidder attempts to attach conditions precedent to the sale of any parcel. No terms and conditions of sale will be considered other than those specified by the Village. No further information is available at the auction regarding the lands to be sold.

The Village may, after the public auction, become the owner of any property or parcel of land that is not sold at the public auction.

Former Lamont Chief Administrative Officer Sandy Maschmeyer and new CAO Christine Beveridge greet people in the town office in late December 2018 just after Beveridge’s announcement as the new CAO had been made. On Mar. 26, at a special meeting of the town council Beveridge tendered her resignation after receiving an offer for a strong career move from a headhunting agency. She will stay with the town until the end of May.

TERMS: Cash Redemption may be effected by payment of all arrears of taxes and costs at any time prior to the sale.

Dated at Chipman, Alberta, March 24, 2021.

Pat Tomkow, Administrator

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - 7

8- The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Moderna vaccine finally arrives at Lamont Pharmacy

BY JANA SEMENIUK Lamont Value Drug Mart owner and pharmacist Robert Bilan was relieved to receive his first shipment of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine last week.

Currently Bilan’s pharmacy is the only one in Lamont County approved to distribute the vaccination.

“We received our first shipment on Mar. 18,” he said. “We expect our next one on Apr. 5.”

Bilan added that he and his team are vaccinating people with their first of two doses at a steady rate.

“If we have an extra pharmacist in, we can vaccinate a little over 50 people per day. If not, then 30,” he said.

While early recom-

mendations were to provide the second dose of vaccine within four weeks, according to Canada.ca, this has recently been extended to four months by the National Advisory Committee on Vaccinations.

“NACI recommends that in the context of limited COVID-19 vaccine supply, jurisdictions should maximize the number of individuals benefiting from the first dose of vaccine by extending the interval for the second dose of vaccine up to four months,” stated the Canada.ca website.

“Extending the dose interval to four months allows NACI to create opportunities for protection of the entire adult

population within a short timeframe. This will not only achieve protection of the adult population, but will also contribute to health equity.”

Bilan stated that this adjustment was not without controversy.

“There’s some controversy on the amount of time they are lengthening it,” he said. “Its interesting but that’s the approach they are taking. There is immunity from the first shot.”

Bilan stated his pharmacy carries only one type of the vaccine.

“We only carry the Moderna vaccine. The Pfizer one can’t be stored or transported to rural areas because of the storage requirements,” he said.

Lamont Value Drug Mart Owner/Pharmacist Robert Bilan holds a vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Bilan's pharmacy is currently the only one in Lamont County approved to distribute the vaccine.

Bilan included that his list of patients that require vaccination is slowly getting smaller every day.

“We are close to clearing the people off who are older than 64, and then it will be opening up to people younger than 64 with certain medical conditions,” he said.

Although the process hasn’t been as smooth as he would have liked, Bilan feels confident that in time things will get better.

“I think distribution will improve as time goes on. There will be some hiccups here and there but it will get better. We will need to be patient,” he said.

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WINTER HARDY ALGONQUIN ALFALFA SEED For Sale Certified 2020 Algonquin Alfalfa Seed 99.9% purity, zero weed seeds, inoculated, in 55 lb bags wholesale price $2.90 a pound. Algonquin Alfalfa is a tap root tri foliate, extremely winter hardy, fine stem, and excellent disease resistance.

Also Selling Timothy and Brome Grass Blends to your specifications.

Farmer Direct. FREE SHIPPING on orders over 1200 lb.

Call Ram River Forage Seeds 403-634-1643

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - 9

THURSDAY

10- The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021

County may open admin office in June for people to pay taxes

BY JOHN MATHER Lamont County Human Resources Coordinator Nicole Schreiber presented an update on the Covid situation for council on Mar. 23 at the regular committee of the whole meeting.

“Looking over the past few weeks the County is at zero active cases,” she reported. “There have been no positive reported cases within our organization.”

She said the province had moved in step two on easing the pandemic restrictions on Mar. 8.

She outlined what was included in step two and said it didn’t directly impact the County, so operations and restrictions within the County had remained the same.

Schreiber added that the new variant cases were a cause for concern.

Because of a recent rise in cases the province had decided to hold off indefinitely implementing Step three of loosening pandemic restrictions.

“Our annual social group’s summer camp-

ing trip has been cancelled for this year,” she added.

She touched on the vaccine rollout and gave council a limit of the age criteria for getting a vaccine.

“They hope to have the majority of vaccinations available by June of this year,” she said.

After vaccinations the workplace rules regarding masking and social distancing may still remain in place.

Both the County administration building and the public works building remain closed to the general public although visitors can come to the buildings as long as an appointment has previously been made.

She asked if council wanted to reopen the administration front doors to the public since some restrictions had been eased.

Reeve David Diduck told Schreiber four of the five councillors had received their first rounds of vaccinations.

Councillor Neil Woitas

hadn’t received a vaccination because he wasn’t old enough yet.

“Why change if it isn’t broken yet,” asked Councillor Daniel Warawa, addressing whether the buildings should be reopened. “If Doctor Hinshaw and the Premier feel things should stay the same, then we should probably remain closed.”

Diduck said tax notices were going to be mailed May 31 and he hoped the doors could be open in June so people could come and pay taxes without an appointment or having to put their payment in the mail box.

He was pleased the County was doing so well with zero cases when some other areas of the province were seeing a rise in case numbers.

Council accepted Schreiber’s report as information.

DONATION TO MUNDARE FIRE DEPT. The Sharun family donated the funds to the Mundare Fire & Rescue for the purchase of a pressure washer. Chief Glenda Dales stands with the washer along with Cheyenne and Brian Sharun.

CERTIFIED SEED FOR SALE Wheat: CWRS - AAC Brandon - Improved FHB resistance - Excellent standability CWSWS - AC Andrew - Great silage option - In demand by milling and ethanol industries Yellow Peas: CDC Canary - Improved standability - Early maturity - Higher yielding

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

Canadian Prairie Pickers are once again touring the area!

Paying Cash For Coin Collections, Silver & Gold Coins, Royal Can. Mint Sets.

Also Buying Gold Jewelry

$

$ $

We purchase rolls, bags or boxes of silver coins

$

Pioneer Hi-Bred Canola Dealer!

CALL TODAY FOR PRICES!

To arrange a free, discrete in-home visit

call Kellie at 1-778-257-8647

Working with Richardson opens the door to a world of possibility. We currently have an opportunity for an Administrative Clerk at our Richardson Pioneer Ag Business Centre located in Lamont, Alberta.

ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK The Administrative Clerk is responsible for performing administrative and operational duties.

Responsibilities include processing accounts receivable/accounts payable, preparing communication materials, assisting in product logistics, assisting in grain sampling, providing excellent customer service and performing general office duties.

The ideal candidate will possess an Administrative Certificate/Diploma, or equivalent experience in an administrative role; knowledge of bookkeeping, general office practices, and Microsoft applications; experience in word-processing and/or data entry; excellent organizational and communication skills and have a strong understanding of customer service.

An agriculture background is considered an asset.

Richardson International provides an excellent compensation package consisting of competitive salary, pension, a flexible benefits plan and training and career development opportunities.

Interested candidates should visit www.richardson.ca/work to upload their cover letter and resume by April 23, 2021.

$ $

PAYING HIGHEST PRICES Bonded since 1967

6-Row Feed Barley: Trochu - Great option for grain or forage AB Advantage - Improved plump & bushel weight -Slightly taller than Trochu with better standability 2-Row Malt Barley: CDC Copeland - Strong demand by malting companies.

Richardson Pioneer, a division of Richardson International, is Canada’s leading agribusiness.

Richardson Pioneer supports Canadian farmers throughout the growing season – providing agronomic services and advice, selling crop inputs, buying their crops at harvest and selling them to markets around the world through the most efficient network of high throughput Ag Business Centres in Western Canada.

Phone: 780-336-2583 Cell: 780-385-4900 Box 296, Viking, AB T0B 4N0 Dealer for Brett Young Forage Seed

Richardson International values diversity in the workplace. Women, Aboriginal People, Visible Minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and self-identify.

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - 11

HOMECARE WORKER NEEDED For two seniors in Lamont area.

Start April 1, 2021

780- 554- 8113

Golfers get ready to tee off at Whitetail under the watchful eye of general manager Laurent LeBlanc last season. Because of the pandemic golfers had to be aware of social distancing and make sure the two riders in the cart had travelled to the course together. Whitetail is hoping to open for this season by April 9.

Mundare golf course preparing for mid-April season opening

BY JOHN MATHER Golfers pining for the chance to get back on the links may have to wait another two weeks before Whitetail Crossing opens in Mundare.

“It really depends on who you talk to,” chuckled Whitetail course manager Laurent LeBlanc, Mar. 26.

“The owners want to get on the course right away, but the turf superintendent and myself still feel we’re two weeks away. We’re aiming for April 9, but we need some cooperation from Mother Nature for that.”

He pleased to say the course has reclaimed its driving range which spent much of last year under water due to flooding.

“We worked for about a month and a half at the end of last season working on new drainage for the area,” he said. “We’re hoping to have it open by the end of June. Right now it’s a bit of a hindrance for people coming out here.”

He said the 11th hole has had a berm built around the tee box to keep it from getting flooded out.

“We should have major improvements on the course in terms of water problems this year,” he added.

During the past winter,

Country Club Tour which owns Whitetail Crossing along with several other courses in the greater Edmonton area purchased Red Tail Landing near the Edmonton International Airport.

“You know we had so many people wanting to golf last year,” LeBlanc said. “And with our card program there was just a shortage of tee times.”

He added the owner wanted to make sure his members had a place to golf so he bought another course.

Red Tail Landing was designed by Puddicombe Golf, the same firm that designed Whitetail Crossing.

Rates at Whitetail will remain the same as last year, LeBlanc added.

The Country Club tour rates are all the same.

He said the card program works at all the Country Club Tour courses, with the exception of Red Tail.

“It’s more of a premium course,” he said.

Leblanc said while hosting tournaments is a goal of the course and it does host the Gene Zwodesky and Stawnichy tournaments, with Covid-19 restrictions limiting gatherings to 10 people or less, that’s still hard to accomplish.

“Everyone shows up

and hugs and kisses and it so hard to properly social distance. We had lots of people phoning to book tournaments, but I’ve got to tell them right now it’s out of my control.”

He added golf carts have dividers to separate the two riders in the cart, but economically people can’t get a single cart unless they pay a premium of $15.

“That just covers some of our costs,” he said.

He said the clubhouse will still offer BBQ and sandwiches, but there won’t be full kitchen service.

“Nobody’s making money on kitchen service right now. People expect the service, but then the golfers don’t tend to support it very well.”

The club house will be limited to two people at a time and cash will still be accepted.

LeBlanc added everything will be fully sanitized on a regular basis and all carts will be wiped down after each round.

LeBlanc said stats show golf across North America was up 35 per cent last year.

“It really proved to be very popular and we expect more of the same this year.”

ANNUAL MEETING of the

WILLINGDON SEED CLEANING CO-OP

will be held @ 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 8th, 2021 at the WILLINGDON RECREATION CENTER,

if possible. If not, it will be virtual.

Registration is required - ( 780) 367-2711 COVID rules and mandatory masks.

– ON THE PRAIRIES –

Printed Community Newspapers are the

MO MOST ST TRUS TRUSTED TED PLA PLATFORM ATFORM T TFOR FOR N

NTENT

In a recent s mmunities of less th rairies, printed community newspapers ranked

#1 for for Trust Trust in News News and Advertising Advertising Content Content 21033AA6

83% Printed Community Newspaper

70%

63%

61%

56%

Radio

Television

Online Community Newspaper

Farm Publication

How Geography Impacts Media Access, Usage and Engagement: January 2020 To otum Research: Interview timing Dec. 2019/J Jan. 2020. Random Sample Adults 18+ Using Computer Assisted Te elephone Interview (CA AT TI) Method with a margin of error of +/- 3.3% at 95% confidence level with 900 interviews AB/SK/MB

29% Social Media

12- The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021

BOOKKEEPING

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

I&M

Tax and Bookkeeping Services ~ Farms & Businesses ~ Excellent rates & bundled discounts

1” AD ~ $40/ MONTH 2” AD ~ $80/ MONTH

4703, 51 Street Lamont, AB T0B 2R0

Maria Stamati

Phone:(780) 579-3883 Fax: (780) 579-3884 LmTaxServicesLamont@yahoo.com

ADVERTISE TODAY. CALL 780.895.2780 OR EMAIL lmtleader@gmail.com

CONCRETE

DAY CARE

HOTELS

C HIPMAN BAR & GRILL AT THE CHIPMAN HOTEL

CONSTRUCTION

EAVESTROUGHING Marvin Tallas 780-984-6742

JAKE THIESSEN

mtallas_05@hotmail.com

CONSTRUCTION LTD. Roofing, Windows & Capping

780.233.4455 FRAMINGRRESIDENTIAL ESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS FRAMING & COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS GENERAL CONTRACTING ROOFING SHINGLES GENERAL C ONTRACTING R SHINGLES OOFING METAL RENOVATIONS BOBCAT SERVICE M ETAL

R ENOVATIONS BUSINESS AS USUAL!

carpenter.555@hotmail.com carpenter.555@hotmail.com

Box 653 Lamont T0B2R0 2R0 Box 653 Lamont ABAB T0B

FREE ESTIMATES

12 TIL 8

F R I DAY ~ S AT U R DAY

12 TIL 10

Give us a call: 7 8 0 - 3 6 3 - 3 8 2 2

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • RURAL PO BOX 546 LAMONT, AB T0B 2R0

Specializing in Seamless Eavestrough Installation Alu-Rex Leaf Guards • Downpipe • Soffit & Fascia Gutter Cleaning & Repair • Roof Top Snow Removal

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING C ONTRA AC CTING L LTD. TD. T

Residential •Commercial •Industrial

Trenching services available

780-910-9748

LANDSCAPING SUNSHINE EQUIPMENT SERVICES INC. GARDEN ROTOTILLING T REE PLANTING , REMOVAL & STUMP GRINDING SKID STEER SERVICES

qualitygroupinc@outlook.com

<hg\k^m^ ?eZm Phkd & =kbo^pZrl% @ZkZ`^ IZ]l <hg\k^m^ ?eZm Phkd & =kbo^pZrl% @ZkZ`^ IZ]l

HEATING

J

780-678-7049 www www.ntkcontracting.com w.ntkcontracting.com .

SUNDAY MONDAY ~ TUESDAY WEDNESDAY ~ THURSDAY

Mike 780-499-3779 LOCAL COMPANY SERVING LOCAL CUSTOMERS

/ AC

KT Mechanical LTD

LAWNCARE

30 years experience!

Kevin Tychkowsky Lamont, Alberta

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL • HEATING • AIR CONDITIONING • REFRIGERATION Phone:

CUSTOM WORK Trevor Mikolajczyk

780-292-2336 Fax: 780-895-2809 ktmechanical@hotmail.com NOW BOOKING FOR:

THE LAMONT LEADER CARRIES

~ WE HAVE THE PERSON FOR THE JOB ~

~

LANDSCAPING

~

&

YARD MAINTENANCE

CUSTOM BALING

~

O UR

OFFICE SUPPLIES!

TRENCHING

~ B O B C AT ~ D U M P T R U C K ~ C U S T O M M E TA L R E N O ’ S mk98ltd@gmail.com ~ HANDY MAN JOBS 780-975-8343 ~ BRUSH CUTTING

(780) 226-4772

STOP IN AND SHOP!

SPRING UPS SPRING CLEAN CLEAN UPS ~ Aeration ~ Power Rake (de-thatch) ~ Flowerbed clean out ~ Sod Edging ~Weed Control & fertilizing ADDITIONAL SERVICES ERVICES ADDITIONAL S ~ Weekly / Monthly Lawn maintenance ~ Eavestrough cleaning ~ Pressure Washing ~ Exterior Window cleaning ~ Dump Runs SERVICES INCLUDE OFFERED INCLUDE SERVICESOFFERED ~ Tree Trimming & Removal ~ Stump Grinding ~ Bobcat Services

FULLY INSURED

~

BASED IN

LAMONT

SERVING URBAN & RURAL

THANK YOU FOR LOOKING HERE FIRST! L OCAL B USINESSES T HANK Y OU F OR Y OUR S UPPORT !

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - 13

Lamont Leader, Jan. 17, 2012

From the Files of The Lamont Leader

Smiles all around as Bruderheim celebrates opening of new regional fire hall

MECHANICAL

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Titan Repair Shop

1” AD ~ $40/ MONTH 2” AD ~ $80/ MONTH

Best Prices. Best Services

780-579-4400 CVIP Licensed 4715 51 St. Lamont, AB. TitanRepairShop@yahoo.com Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

ADVERTISE TODAY. CALL 780.895.2780 OR EMAIL lmtleader@gmail.com

LEGAL ISSUES?

TOWING

Ronald W. Poitras Dean Bosvik Javan Vandelannoite

FOR ALL YOUR AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS 5003 - 50 Street, Mundare, AB 780-764-3936

PLUMBING

Barrister & Solicitor Serving Lamont and Area Since 1977 Wednesday 1:30 – 5:00 pm

by Appointment

780-895-2055 REAL ESTATE

REGULAR 24/7 TOWING

PLUS equipment, sheds, antique/classic vehicles, RVs, and more!!

780-998-7668

Don’t think Towing – Think Titan!

JMP Plumbing & Heating Ltd.

TRUCKING

Furnace & Hot Water Tank Replacement Plumbing - New Home Construction Air Conditioning - Gas Fitting - Gas Fire Places Garage Heaters - Service & Repair - Sheet Metal For all your real estate needs

John Panek 780-999-2065 jmpplumbing@live.ca Box 84, Lamont, AB T0B 2R0

PROFESSIONAL Motor Vehicle Accidents, Fatal Accidents, Wills, & More Elizabeth J. Tatchyn, B.A., LL.B BARRISTER & SOLICITOR By appointment only

at Smith Insurance Service, Main Street Lamont etatchyn@biamonte.com Edmonton: 780-425-5800 * Speaks Ukrainian *

Office ~ 780-764-4007 Cell ~ 780-920-3076 www.kowalrealty.ca

Trevor Schinkinger Trucking Ltd. Shannon Kowal Broker 5004 50 Street, Mundare

SEPTIC SERVICES Elk Island Septic Cleaning.com (Div of Stadnick Contracting (2011) Ltd.)

Is now available for septic cleaning

Contact Brett : 587-991-0398 No job too big or small, we'll do them all!

• Sand, Gravel & Top Soil • Loading & Hauling • Landscaping • Excavating • Demolition Ph: 780-895-2349

Cell: 780-220-5405

Box 412 Lamont, Alberta T0B-2R0

THE LAMONT LEADER

CUSTOM PRINTING

OFFERS

CALL US !

780.895.2780 lmtleader@gmail.com

14- The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021

The

CLASSIFIED AD RATES $10.75+gst first 25 words 39¢ each additional word PICTURE BOLD $10.00 $5.00 WEEKLY REVIEW Ph. 780-336-3422 Email: vikingreview @gmail.com TOFIELD MERCURY Ph. 780-662-4046 Email: adsmercury @gmail.com LAMONT LEADER Ph. 780-895-2780 Email: lmtleader @gmail.com ________________________

ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS MUST-READ BOOK Now Available: - Canadian Agriculture in the 21st Century. 14 chapters; 340 pages; 200 illustrations; index. $60 softcover: $70 hardcover, Delivered. maryanderson360@gmail.com. Also available from Amazon, Indigo and Friesen Press. ________________________

AUCTIONS AUCTIONS 2 BANKRUPTCY AUCTIONS conducted simultaneously. Laser Clean Ltd., Edmonton; Turcon United Building Systems Inc., Grande Prairie. Bidding starts Friday, March 26, ends Thursday, April 8.

Construction equipment, Duct cleaning trucks, Pressure trucks, Floor & Restoration equipment. Trucks, Trailers, Skidsteer, Light Towers.

Complete listing, terms & details. www.foothillsautions.com or Foothills Equipment Liquidation, 780-922-6090. ______________________________ UNRESERVED Louis Cleveland Estate Farm and Consignment Auction. Over $2 Million in farm equipment selling to the highest bidder! Bidding closes April 14. Visit premierauctions.ca. ______________________________ UNRESERVED Electric Vehicle Motor Auction. Hundreds of UNUSED electric motors and controllers selling unreserved! Calling all EV enthusiasts! Bidding closes April 13. Visit premierauctions.ca. ________________________

COMING COMING EVENTS EVENTS FIREARMS WANTED FOR APRIL 24th, 2021 LIVE & ONLINE AUCTION. Rifles, Shotguns, Handguns, Militaria. Auction or Purchase: Collections, Estates, Individual Items. Contact Paul, Switzer's Auction: Toll-Free 1-800-694-2609; sales@switzersauction.com or www.switzersauction.com.

________________________

EADER

Serving

Classifieds ________________________

L

THE LAMONT

Affordable Advertising with

________________________

Lamont

county

3 papers for the price of 1! ________________________

CARD THANKS CARD OF OF THANKS

HAY SALE HAY FOR FOR SALE

HELP HELP WANTED WANTED

SERVICES SERVICES

The Viking Historical Society would like to extend many thanks to the Viking Fire Department for the donation of chairs. ________________________

Bales for Sale 53 big round bales.

780-658-2584. ________________________

FOR FOR RENT RENT

Certified seed for sale - Oats: ORE3542M, AC Morgan. Brett Young: All canola & forage varieties will still be the same 2020 prices until March 1, 2021. Haralie Seed Farms 780-662-2617 or 780-405-8089.

Tofield Alta. ______________________________

Feedlot and grain farm hand required.

Local feedlot is looking for experienced cattle handler and equipment operator. The job duties include daily cattle feeding, equipment operation, pen checking, assisting with cattle processing, assisting with calving process, appropriate equipment maintenance, and assisting with other feedlot or grain operation duties. Applicant will work under direction of the operation supervisor and management team however the applicant must be able to work independent, be flexible and adapt to different environmental situations and adjust to diverse circumstances that may occur. The applicant must be able to work flexible hours including weekends. Room and board are available if required. We offer competitive wage which will depend on experience.

Please apply to aaanaturalfoods@gmail.com ______________________________ Vegreville Family Dental, located next to the Boston Pizza in Vegreville is looking for a very enthusiastic Registered Dental Assistant to join our team on a part time or full time basis. Our practice is committed to and focused on providing excellent quality patient care. We are looking for someone who is professional, reliable, possesses excellent interpersonal skills, is warm and friendly with patients. We offer competitive wages commensurate with experience as well as a great and friendly work environment! Travel or relocation assistance will be considered for the suitable candidate. If this opportunity sounds interesting to you, please apply to vegredental@gmail.com. ________________________

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit?

Bills?

Unemployed?

Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify.

Pioneer Acceptance Corp.

Member BBB. 1 - 8 7 7 - 9 8 7 - 1 4 2 0 . www.pioneerwest.com. ______________________________ Drywall Taping/Texturing 35+ Years No Job too small!

1 Month Free Rent Apartment for Rent in Killam. Large, clean, nonsmoking. Call Chuck at 780-2637290 ______________________________ 3 Bedroom Townhouse for rent in Viking, AB. $950/mo. including utilities. Available now. Call 780-5630191. ________________________

FOR FOR SALE SALE Tandem truck For Sale: Chev Model ME6500. Gas, V8 70 Motor, Scissor Hoist, Air Brakes, Large 11R22.5 Tires with 2 spares. Phone Bill evenings 780-721-2892. ______________________________ ROLL-OFF BINS & TRUCK. 1992 Ford L9000 & 8 Bins 30 cubic yards each. All in excellent condition. $135,000.00.SWENSON Parking Lot Sander for 1 ton truck. Gas powered.

2.5 yard capacity. In excellent condition; $3,470.00. 780-446-1051. ______________________________ PUREBRED Black & Red Angus Bulls for sale. 780-986-9088 ______________________________ Live Extra Large meat Rabbits.

Ready for butcher, or as a pet. $40 adult. Young ones cheap. Call Lynnette 780-385-6352. ______________________________ Four large coni-bear traps $15 each.

Two small coni-bear traps $5 each.

Also 24 steel traps: 17 - size #1, 3 size #3 and 4 - size #4. $4 each. A few other misc. trapping supplies. Best to call morning or evening. Ph: 780662-3793. ______________________________ •Horse-drawn Antique Sickle Mower.

4 Available.

•Older Michigan Loader. Model 75A. Used. Still runs.

If interested or for more info, call 780-806-3258 11/12c ______________________________ 2015 Dodge Journey R-T, like new, only 39,000 km, LOADED. All options. Senior owned. Special exterior paint - colour Redline Pearl. New is $38,510 Asking $17,250 only.

Ph: 780-910-7718. ______________________________ •2012 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4. 5.3L engine, 225,000 kms. Spray in box liner. Comes with cap and box rails.

No rust and good rubber. Very clean.

1 Owner from new.

•2018 Equinox Premier SUV, 1.5T AWD. 42,000 kms. Very clean. New Rubber. 1 owner from new.

Call 780-781-6593 ________________________

LAND SALE LAND FOR FOR SALE VERY INEXPENSIVE 2 QUARTERS OF PASTURE LAND, Central SK, for sale. 8 other good quarters may be available. Requires fencing.

Great hunting $74,900. Call Doug at 306-716-2671.

SEED SALE SEED FOR FOR SALE

ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat, Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grains. Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh. Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, In House Excreta Cleaning. Vac Rental. 1-888483-8789. ______________________________ CERTIFIED SEED. - WHEAT – Go Early, Pintail. - OATS – AC Juniper, AC Morgan, AC Mustang, Derby, SO1 Super Oat. - BARLEY – Amisk, Busby, Cerveza, Conlon, CDC Austenson, CDC Maverick, Sundre.

Very Early Yellow Pea, Forage Peas.

Polish Canola, Spring Triticale. mastinseeds.com; 403-556-2609. ______________________________ HEATED CANOLA buying Green, Heated or Springthrashed Canola.

Buying: oats, barley, wheat & peas for feed. Buying damaged or offgrade grain. "On Farm Pickup" Westcan Feed & Grain, 1-877-250-5252. ________________________

MEMORIAL MEMORIAL In memory of Sandra Larson, born February 7, 1949 and passed away March 25, 2018.

You have been missed by your loving father Lawrence Summers, sisters - Loreen and Delain, and many nephews, nieces, and friends. ________________________

HEALTH HEALTH GET UP TO $50,000 from the Government of Canada. ALL Ages & Medical Conditions qualify. Have a child under 18 instantly receive more money. CALL THE BENEFITS PROGRAM 1-800-211-3550 or send a text message with your name and mailing address to 403-980-3605 for your FREE benefits package. ______________________________ HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1844-453-5372. ________________________

HELP HELP WANTED WANTED FREIGHTLAND CARRIERS, a triaxle air ride flatdeck carrier is looking for Owner/Operators to run Alberta only or the 3 Western Provinces. Must have own plates, insurance & WCB. Truck gross revenue is an average of $16,000/month.

Call 1-800-917-9021 or email: dispatch@freightland.ca.

SERVICES SERVICES Painting Quality Residential and Commercial Painting Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749 or 780-688-3564 ______________________________ CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss?

Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation.

1-800-347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com ______________________________ GET YOUR MESSAGE SEEN ACROSS Alberta. The Blanket Classifieds or Value Ads reach over 600,000 Alberta readers weekly. Two options starting at $269 or $995 to get your message out!

Business changes, hiring, items for sale, cancellations, tenders, etc.

People are increasingly staying home and rely on their local newspapers for information. KEEP people in the loop with our 90 Weekly Community Newspapers. Call THIS NEWSPAPER now or email classifieds@awna.com for details. 1800-282-6903, 780-434-8746 X225. www.awna.com.

Experienced drywall taper/texturer here to help you with any job big or small. Don't want to do it yourself, give me a call! Based in Killam but willing to travel Hand taper by trade but have experience with boxes, roller/flusher, taping tube. No bazooka exp. Have own tools (10-12" boxes, pump, angle box, roller, flusher, hand tools, etc.) Also do ceiling texture. Non-drinker, just want to work. Willing to work with existing taping crew. Call 780-385-2106 or 780-385-1251. ______________________________ NTK Contracting Ltd. Our Business is Building • New Home Construction • Shops • Garages • Renovations • Driveways & Garage Pads • Decks and Railings • Basement & Home Construction Quality Workmanship - Neil Kinderwater 780-678-7049 www.ntkcontracting.com ______________________________ Classy K-9 Dog Grooming in Viking, AB Over 20 years experience.

Any breed.

Call Lynnette 780-385-6352. ______________________________ Roy's Handyman Services. Flooring, trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work.

Call 780-662-0146 or 780-232-3097 ______________________________ Carpet and upholstery cleaning residential and commercial.

Truck mount unit, sewer backup, and flood cleaning. Auto and RV cleaning. Call Glenn and Cindi Poyser, Fancy Shine Auto and Carpet Care at (780) 384-3087 ______________________________ Shane’s Stucco & Drywall Service Shane Hollar Stucco (Traditional & Acrylic), Drywall, Stone, Textured Ceilings, Tile and Spray Painting 780-336-4832 shanes.stucco@gmail.com ________________________

WANTED WANTED Wanted: Hay land, to put up on shares, between Mundare and Lamont. Call Barry @ 780-913-4675

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - 15 – ON THE PRAIRIES –

Printed Community Newspapers are the

NEVER INTENTIONALLY

MO MOST ST TRUS TRUSTED TED PLA PLATFORM ATFORM TFOR T FOR N

NTENT

In a recent survey of adults 18+ living in communities of less than 100,000 population on the prairies, the majority of the respondents across all measured sectors said

RET TA AIL STORE ADS IN PRINTED COMMUNITY NEWSP PAPERS APER A are MORE LIKEL LY to

INSPIRE A ACTION CTION than ads in other platforms

60 50

40%

40 30 20 10

In a recent s mmunities of less th rairies, printed community newspapers ranked

#1 for for Trust Trust in Ne News ws and Advertising Advertising C Content ontent

3%

0 Often

Sometimes

Never

83% Printed Community Newspaper

70%

63%

61%

Radio

Television

Online Community Newspaper

56% Farm Publication

29%

40% 18% Printed Community Newspaper

Tele e vision Conmercial

12% Social Media

11%

8%

Radio Commercial

Random Websites

5% Newspaper Website

27% None

Social Media

Actions included seeking more information, visiting a store in person or online or making a purchase.

How Geography Impacts Media Access, Usage and Engagement: January 2020

How Geography Impacts Media Access, Usage and Engagement: January 2020

How Geography Impacts Media Access, Usage and Engagement: January 2020

To otum Research: Interview timing Dec. 2019/Jan. J 2020. Random Sample Adults 18+ Using Computer Assisted Te elephone Interview (CA AT TI) Method with a margin of error of +/- 3.3% at 95% confidence level with 900 interviews AB/SK/MB

To otum Research: Interview timing Dec. 2019/J Jan. 2020. Random Sample Adults 18+ Using Computer Assisted Te elephone Interview (CA AT TI) Method with a margin of error of +/- 3.3% at 95% confidence level with 900 interviews AB/SK/MB

To otum Research: Interview timing Dec. 2019/Jan. J 2020. Random Sample Adults 18+ Using Computer Assisted Te elephone Interview (CA AT TI) Method with a margin of error of +/- 3.3% at 95% confidence level with 900 interviews AB/SK/MB

21033AA6

16- The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, March 31, 2021

2nd Section & Salute to Farmers

Mercury LEADER The Tofield

THE LAMONT

Page 2 - 2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

Alberta farmers and ranchers have increased access to capital

Moush John There’s been a $800 million increase in agriculture lending for farmers, ranchers, and value-added food production in Alberta from Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC), with the AFSC overall borrowing limit going up from $2.8 to $3.6 billion by 2024 to ensure that farmers, ranchers, and food production sectors have reliable access to capital.

AFSC’s improved lending ability is intended to meet the government’s value-added investment attraction goal of $1.4 billion for agriculture and food production in Alberta over the next 4 years – with a target of 2,000 new agriculture jobs.

“Since we set those targets last fall, we’ve already achieved $527 million in new investment and created more than 981 new jobs in Alberta,” said Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. “To create new agriculture

business opportunities we’re also doubling the individual lending limit from $15 million to $30 million from AFSC. This increased limit will help to better support larger agriculture deals in the province.”

AFSC offers lending support for food production through the Agribusiness Loan Program as well as loans for primary agriculture producers, which include the Next Generation Loan Program, Developing

Producer Loan Program, Alberta Producer Loan Program, and the Revolving Loan Program.

According to Dreeshen, the borrowing limit is a funding cap set by government for the entire AFSC lending program, and they’re raising this limit to attract investments to further economic diversification and support growth in agriculture and food production.

He said that they wish to

decrease red-tape by making it quicker and easier for clients to access loans from AFSC. “Their quick loan process approves loans up to $150,000 in less than a day, and they’ve reduced average loan approval turnaround time by a day, meaning most loans are approved in under a week,” Dreeshen explained. “The AFSC has also improved loan renewals, with automatic renewal for loans in

good standing and a new, client-friendly process for loan payment deferral when needed. Simple mod-

ernizations like accepting electronic client signatures add convenience to the process as well.”

It takes years of back-breaking work to develop a productive agricultural business.

Knowledge gained is passed on from one generation to the next and shared in the agricultural community. The contributions of farm families add immensely to Alberta’s economic growth.

Thank you farmers!

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RGE RD 181 TWP RD 502, Beaver County

RGE RD 175 TWP RD 500, Beaver County

• 30 acres just one mile south of HWY 14.

• Dugout on SE corner.

• Hobby farm or country residential opportunity.

$135,000

5123 54 Ave., Viking

• 1,265 SQFT 1.5 storey home built on a 75 X 140' lot.

• 3 bedrooms & 1 bathroom.

• Beautiful upgraded custom kitchen, other upgrades including electrical, hot water tank & patio doors

$99,900

• 9.88 acres NOT in a subdivision.

• Hobby farmers, horse people, and outdoor enthusiasts; this is the land for you!

$69,600

5236 59 Ave., Viking

• 1,303 SQFT bungalow.

• 3 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms.

• Basement is fully finished.

• Double attached garage and a second double detached garage.

$170,000

#10 Whitetail PT., Mundare

• This massive walk-out lot measures 60ft x 165 ft.

• Fully serviced with city water.

• Just a few steps from Whitetail Crossing Golf Course!

$35,750

5311 59 Ave., Viking

• 1,192 SQFT bungalow.

• 4 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms.

• Upgrades on flooring, doors, windows, and fully finished basement.

• Great yard for kids!

$225,000

Tofield Autobody

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79 50220 RGE RD 202, Beaver County

• 1,253 SQFT Bi-level home built on 3 acres.

• 5 bedrooms, & 3 bathrooms • Oversized double attached garage.

• Back yard is fenced.

$485,000

5211 58 Ave., Viking

• Well maintained 1,600 SQFT spacious bungalow.

• 4 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms.

• Covered & screened-in patio • Oversized single garage with garden shed.

$279,000

Kevin Smook REALTOR ® 780-662-4623

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MAKING YOU FEEL AT HOME SINCE 1999!

5230 56 ST., Tofield

• 1270 SQFT home on 1.29 acres.

• 3 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms.

• Oversized heated garage.

• Acreage living in Town limits!

$335,000

5820 51 St., Viking

• Unique 2200 SQFT 1.5 storey home.

• 5 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms with loft style master suite.

• Large, open kitchen/dining room area that was upgraded.

$325,000

Susan Lentz REALTOR® 780-385-5287

2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 3

PROPERTIES LAMONT COUNTY Modern Industrial Shop • 15,000 sq ft Industrial Shop built on 42.8 acres in Lamont County adjacent to the town of Lamont. Shop was built in 2006 with drive thru bays and has 24’ clear ceilings, 16’ by 16’ doors, floor sumps, exhaust fans, tool crib, 5-ton bridge crane, 600 amp power and 1,500 sq ft of office space. Site has access to highways 29, 15, 831. There is 15 acres of gravelled yard with chain link fencing. located at 195043 HWY 29 Lamont County. Price: $3,175,000 • N1/2 of NE ¼ -7-53-18-W4 71.80 acres, 8.77 acres yard with chain link fence, partially gravelled, power, 4 yard lights, could be commercial use if proper permit is obtained. Balance of parcel is fenced with 5 wire and 4 wire. 35± acres of hay. Corner of HWY 16 and RR 185. Price: $399,000 Seller is a licensed Realtor™ in the province of Alberta • W4-18-54-10 SW ¼ 160 acres 110± cultivated acres. RR 183 between TWP RD 540 and 542 Price: $320,000 • Parcel #1 Plan: 0826846 Block 1 Lot 2 Parcel #2 Plan: 0826846 Block 1 Lot 3 156.60 acres total 140 combined cultivated acres RR 175 and TWP 544 Price: $550,000 • W4-18-53-29-NE, Plan 0321318 Block 1 Lot 1, Plan 0321318 Block 1 Lot 2, 314.45 acres total. 2 miles from highway 16 fenced and cross fenced pasture. Total Price $675,000 • NW 1/4 -17-58-19-W4 160 acres good culitivated land in Lamont County Heartland. Price $640,000 • SW-16-56-W4 155.37 acres. Culitvated with a shop and power on property. Borders HWY 831 Price $580,000

SOLD SOLD

FARM LAND IN CHIPMAN • S ½ of SW ¼ -20-54-18-W4 80 acres all in hay and trees near Highway 15. Price $150,000 • SW ¼ 30-54-18-W4 (North ½) 78.83 acres fenced pasture land Price $140,000 • SW ¼, 30-54-18-W4 (South ½)- 72.12 acres fenced pasture land Price $130,000 BEAVER COUNTY ACREAGES • W4-16-4836-SW 160 acres near Holden. Small house, power, gas, and septic system well treed yard.

Price $419,000 • W4-19-51-15-SE ¼ 155.9 acres usable for pasture of hay near Tofield. Fenced and cross fenced with multiple water sources. RR 192 and TWP Rd 512. Price $519,000 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 HOBBY FARM • 53142 RGE RD 224 40.03 acres with 35 ± cultivation. 1950 built 1000 sq ft bungalow on property with large shop and various other buildings. Future local industrial zoning on property and located in Bremner concept plan.

Price $1,295,000 LAND FOR SALE WETASKIWIN COUNTY • W5-4-47-1-W 53.93 acres fenced pasture as well lease income.

Located HWY 20 TWP 470. Price $160,000.

Website www.hillrealty.ca

780-449-5622

& Investors Lauren Hill

Steven Hill

Norman Hill

Page 4 - 2021 Agriculture Section(The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

Lamont farmer taps into maple trees for sappy syrup

BY JANA SEMENIUK Lamont County landowner Jim Kuzyk decided to throw caution to the wind when first approached by his land renter Arlan Maschmeyer about tapping his Manitoba maple trees for syrup.

“I thought it was a neat idea but wasn’t sure how it would turn out. I don’t think these trees have the same sugar content as the other maples,” he said.

“The Eastern maples have more.”

However, once the tubes and plastic jugs were in place, maple syrup fever took hold.

“My wife has been reading our six-year-old granddaughter stories about maple syrup and where it comes from even before we started this,” he said.

Kuzyk added that his granddaughter became excited about the syrup idea upon seeing the

equipment on the trees.

“She picked one of the jugs up but was disappointed there wasn’t more in there,” he chuckled.

Maschmeyer reassured Kuzyk. “You just wait.

Two more weeks,” he said with a laugh.

Maschmeyer explained the timing around capturing the maximum amount of sap from a tree.

“It’s been a bit too cold the last little while,” he said. “You need a stretch of warm and cold weather. When it gets to plus ten then drops down below zero over and over it pulls the sugar out of the ground.”

Maschmeyer explained how much sap it takes to make a gallon of maple syrup.

“These Manitoba maples will produce about 40 gallons of sap which will make about one gallon of syrup,” he

said.

At this point, Maschmeyer said the process includes some cooking.

“You have to take the sap and boil it down to get rid of the other 39 gallons,” he said. “Once you get it to about 103 degrees it then becomes syrup and it’s not watery.

It’s just beautiful to be able to produce it from your own trees.”

Maschmeyer added that he expects a good year for syrup.

“Last year I made a gallon with 10 taps and

this year I have about 35 trees tapped that will

produce maybe four gallons of syrup,” he said.

“It’s wonderful.”

Lamont County landowner Jim Kuzyk stands with his Manitoba maple trees near his front yard. The trees are sporting taps in order to capture their sap and create maple syrup. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

No matter how long the Winter is, Spring is sure to follow.

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2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 5

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Page 6 - 2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

Battle River Research Group receives rave reviews from leaders

Patricia Harcourt

The Battle River Research Group’s mission is to advance agriculture as an independent, producer driven resource.

The organization is stationed in Forestburg from where it serves the east-central region of the province.

“The research group strives to identify regional producers’ needs and challenges and then collaborates with specialists to find potential answers through local research initiatives,” said Beaver County’s agricultural official Aimee Boese.

Some of the these projects include the Regional Variety Trial, research on seeding spring wheat, comparison of traditional crop inputs and biostimulants, managing malt genetics for feed end-use, and providing extension activities for knowledge transfer for producers.

Colin Wager, president of the BRRRG Board of Directors, took over just as COVID-19 hit, so it was a year of few meetings and mostly phone calls and emails instead.

The board is composed of representatives form the five counties that make up the group, serving the counties of Beaver, Flagstaff, Paintearth, Camrose, and Stettler.

The BRRG has three programs to help serve local producers, including the Field Crops Program, Forage Program and Extension and Environmental Program.

“One thing that I can say about this year is the our manager, Khalil Ahmed, has been excellent in the board’s almost absence,” said Wager. “I can say that we as a board are very grateful to have a person with his knowledge and experience. He is well on his way to surrounding himself with a great team.

“We need to grow our business to ensure that BRRG will be around for many years for our members.”

Ahmed spoke to Beaver County Council March 3 to provide the 2020 Annual Report and request the annual municipal support contribution of $10,000. The county granted the funding after the presentation, and giving the two presenters praise for their work.

Funding sources come from municipalities (9%), Core funding (35%), Commissions (4%), CAP (36%),

Industrial (12%), and rvt/government project (4%).

In 2020, BRRG was able to seed 45 research trials which amounts to over 2,000 research plots. This is double what was done the previous year with 24 research trials done.

Plus, BRRG has started eight collaborative projects with agricultural colleges in Lethbridge and Lakeland, crop commissions (Alberta Wheat Commission, Alberta Barley and Alberta Pulse Growers) industry,

and other sister associations in the province.

Soil health sampling was also done at 22 locations.

“We did pest monitoring, a nematode survey, and a feed analysis program for producers,” he said.

There were virtual events, including a virtual field day in July and crop walks in August.

“The traffic on the BRRG website is skyrocketing,” he said. “Videos and presentations were uploaded so producers can watch anytime.”

Plans for 2021 include on-

farm research trials, such as corn silage and soil amendments, Ahmed said.

BRRG Board of Directors include President Wager,

Vice-President Steven Vincent and Secretary Ingrid Brady. Board members include Dale Pederson, Stan Schulmeister, Rob

Somerville, Melvin Thompson, Alisa Donnelly, Brent Christiensen, Henry Michelson, Ed Lefsrud, and Dave Grover.

Viking Meats

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Farmers continue to provide inexpensive and abundant food for Albertans through their modern production technology.

We celebrate with pride in the accomplishments of our local farmers.

We salute the dedicated men and women of our agricultural industry. Their commitment to produce a thriving variety of crops and livestock requires long hours, risk and hard work.

Our hats go off to you!

-Management & Staff

Saluting our farmers!

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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!

Ag Solu!ons Viking, AB. 780.336.3180 www.nutrienagsolutions.ca

Farmers, thank you for all that you do!

~ Irma Mayor, council, staff and residents

2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 7

Battle River Watershed Alliance debuts Future Farmers program

Leslie Cholowsky

The Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA) has recently rolled out a new project geared towards helping 4-H members learn more about agricultural practices for growing food and keeping our water clean.

Nathalie Olson, Education and Outreach Coordinator for the BRWA, says the overall purpose of the program is aimed at improving the watershed in the long term, as well as providing some formative educational, hands-on activities through 4-H clubs.

The Future Farmers for Fresh Water idea started last year, says Olson, and BRWA has received funding through an Eco-Action grant to present it. Over the next few years the BRWA will be reaching out to 4-H clubs all around the Battle River Watershed, but particularly in the Flagstaff Region to offer

presentations.

These would be virtual presentations at this point, but hopefully can transition to in-person sessions by the fall.

“We want to make some connections, to help demonstrate the interconnection between our water sources and our farming and rural lifestyle.

“Water is so important for everything we do, but we can all forget about it, as long as it’s there, and clean enough, we don’t necessarily pay it a lot of attention.”

Olson says the project started earlier this year with a presentation to the Golden Prairie 4-H Multi Club, from Forestburg.

“We did a virtual presentation with them, and then this May we are going to go out on a canoe trip, and take them down the Battle River, and get them thinking and talking about our rivers and watersheds a little bit more.”

She says then, later in May, they will be doing tree-planting with them.

“That’s really what this project is all geared towards, it’s really more of the action, that community service project where we do something to improve the watershed.

“It’s one thing to learn about how we can make improvements, but here is the added ability for ‘let’s just go ahead and do it.’”

Olson adds, “I think that’s a very 4-H kind of attitude: learn by doing.”

She adds, “We thought we would focus on some tree plantings, along the river’s edge or along wetlands, or any water body, really, focusing on those riparian areas that share the so-important transition zone between the land and water that is so significant in keeping our water clean and healthy.”

She says the program will work with 4-H clubs to do a planting on one of

Thank You to our Loyal Customers!

From Stefan Cloutier, Manager, and the Staff

their farms, if there’s a spot that is in need, or reaching out to the local community to see if there’s anyone who would be willing to have a bunch of 4-H volunteers to come out and plant.”

Susanna Bruneau from BRWA has been reaching out to landowners to try and build a list of places where the tree-planting activities could occur.

Olson confirms that this program focuses on trees being planted along a water source, especially in those areas where participants can see that the trees can be of the most assistance in keeping the water clean. “So if there was anything uphill that might be of risk of flowing down into the water source, if that’s where cattle are over-wintering, for example, and there might be some manure runoff in the spring, or if there was a sloped crop area that might have a bit of runoff,

we know that having those healthy riparian areas can make a big difference in preventing any nutrients into getting into the water.”

She says that tree planting is the main option, but

if there were any 4-H club keen to do any other type of project, they also thought that they could also do some weed pulls; there’s different stretches of the river that have a lot See BRWA P16

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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.

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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.

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Page 8 - 2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

Industrial hemp plant planned for Vegreville, reports MLA

I am very pleased to see the economic diversification happening in my riding of Fort S a s k a t c h e w a n - Ve g reville. Vegreville, along with Alberta Innovates is developing value-added agriculture through their industrial hemp park.

This eighty-acre development will be fully serviced, and will become the leader in hemp innovators, making Vegreville the hemp Capital of Canada.

Construction is planned to begin in May 2021 with an anticipated completion date of October 2022.

The Town of Bruderheim will also benefit from this as soon they will be home to North America’s largest hemp-processing facility.

These are the kinds of innovations that lead to job creation, investment, and diversification.

I am glad to see Alberta’s Recovery Plan in economic diversifications working in Alberta and right here in Fort S a s k a t c h e w a n - Ve g reville.

MELT training includes driver training curriculums with set hours for in-class, inyard, and in-vehicle training. The grant will cover about $8,900 of the cost of the MELT training program.

Industry has warned of a potential shortage of 3,600 commercial truck drivers in Alberta by 2023, and that’s why we originally announced the Driving Back to Work grant in November 2020 with funding to help 300 unemployed Albertans earn their class 1 license.

More recently, we are spending $5 million more, so another 500 Albertans can start new careers with well-paid

their livelihood in the agriculture industry. As our culture and our industries continue to evolve, it is increasingly important that we do not forget our past.

Please contact my constituency office at forts a s k a t c h e w a n . v e g re ville@assembly.ab.ca if you have any questions or concerns

trucking jobs.

Budget 2021 provides an additional $5 million to help train commercial Class 1 drivers and protect livelihoods. The Driving Back to Work grant will cover up to 90 per cent of the cost of the Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) to help eligible unemployed Albertans get their class 1 license.

I also had the chance to speak to Bill 212 this week, this bill would make rodeo the official sport of Alberta, and recognizes the cultural importance of rodeo and its related agricultural events. Rodeo has a history in Alberta dating back before we were even officially a province.

I chose to live and raise my family in a rural community and I am proud of the hard-working men and women that earn

them would provide not just a quality vehicle but a good service contract.”

Eleniuk said an axle and tire had come off the existing Argo which was why replacement was deemed necessary.

Councillor Wayne Woldanski said Eleniuk should also try and negotiate a warranty package if they were to buy the used unit.

Councillor Woitas told council he had found several units available through Kijiji and

Councillors Daniel Warawa and Woldanski both agreed the cost of a new unit was too expensive for the amount of use it would have.

Eleniuk said he would prefer going through a dealer rather than on Kijiji because he could get warranty through a dealer.

Eleniuk said he would look further into the situation and then email a report back to council.

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Jackie ArmstrongHomeniuk, MLA Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville

Eleniuk should investigate other suppliers while looking for the best price.

Eleniuk was told to prepare a report back for council with a recommendation on which way to go either with a new or used unit.

Reeve David Diduck said if there were only about 50 hours of use over the year depreciation, the new unit would be expensive and probably a used unit was the route to go.

78 0-975-8343 Trevor Mikolajczyk

Andrew Grocery

TO ALL THE FARMERS & RANCHERS STAY SAFE & PREPARED AS WE STEP INTO SPRING!

Lamont County Council wants more info before replacing Argo

BY JOHN MATHER Lamont County Council decided to hold off on buying a new Argo for the Agricultural Services Department.

At a committee of the whole meeting Mar. 23, council received information that the cost of a new Argo would total $60,604.50. At the same time they were presented with a quote for a used unit with 800-1,000 hours on it, available for $13,900 plus GST. Councillor Neil Woitas argued for the new unit because when people are out exploring the rural areas of the County, they shouldn’t be walking and the Argo would be a good method of transportation in areas, otherwise inaccessible.

County Agricultural Fieldman Terry Eleniuk said he wanted to save the County money and he couldn’t see paying the huge amount for the new unit if a quality used one was available.

“My recommendation would be to go with the used one,” he stated. “I know the working relationship we have with Pioneer Rentals Offroad has been exceptional.”

He said working with

Stay Safe & Best Wishes to our community ranchers & farmers.

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ARE YOU ON AN ACREAGE WITH A SEPTIC TANK ?

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From a septic tank cleaning to trouble shooting any problems, 200 feet of hose to stay off your grass, free estimates and reasonable rates, make Scott’s your next choice.

Scott’s Septic Tank Pumping

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2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 9

Thank you to our local farmers!

780-662-3334

Wishing the farmers a great growing season!

Greg Litwin, REALTOR®

for everything you do and for gracing

780-918-9300

5018 - 52nd Avenue, Tofield

Thank you to our local farmers

our tables with food year round!

BLR Services Inc. Licensed Heavy Duty Mechanic

Wishing our farming community all the best

Mobile & Shop Services

in the upcoming season!

Agriculture – Construction – Tractor/Trailer

780-663-3759

Marsha Matiyek • 780-662-4886

Thank you farmers for all your hard work!

Wishing the farmers a successful growing season!

John Daoust Shingle Co. 780-662-4901

I am available to help you keep all of your machinery running smoothly.

Call Bryan @ 780-686-6344

OK Tire Tofield 5031-53 Ave, Tofield 780-662-3003

DID YOU MISS OUT on advertising in the Ag Supplement?

You can place an ad in our spring supplement that is coming out on

April 28th.

Book your ad now to run in all four papers!

Phone:

780-662-4046 or Email:

adsmercury@gmail.com

Economy Concrete

Thank You for your Patronage & Have a Happy New Year

Thank you to the hard Jerry Coombes working RR #2 Kingman, AB farmers!

T0B 2M0

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Tofield Bottle Depot

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wishes our farmers a great year ahead!

Regular Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm We are located at 5304 - 56 St. We sort your bottles!

780-662-3936

CERTIFIED SEED FOR SALE • OATS:

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• BRETT YOUNG: All canola & forage varieties will still be the same 2020 prices until March 1, 2021.

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Ph (780) 662-2617 Cell (780) 405-8089

Thank you to our local Farmers for your business and support!

From the Management & Staff of

TOFIELD PACKERS

Page 10 - 2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

Livestock have benefitted from an unseasonably warm March across the prairies.

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2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 11

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Page 12 - 2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

Green acreages program to help property owners conserve valuable natural assets

Moush John

The Green Acreages program operated by the Land Stewardship Centre helps property owners on how best to manage their properties in a sustainable way.

The program offers publications, workshops, and incentives developed especially for acreage, hobby farm, and recreational property owners to help them implement stewardship practices that conserve and protect the valuable natural assets, such as air, land, water, wildlife, associated with their properties.

With funding from Alberta’s Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program and support from rural municipalities, the Green Acreages program has expanded and are assisting small acreage, hobby farm, and recreational property owners to fund cost-shared, eligible stewardship initiatives on their properties.

Through this incentive program, eligible projects may be funded 50:50 up to a maximum of $2,500 per project on a costshare basis, i.e., property owners must contribute the same or

greater cash or in-kind value to the projects.

To be eligible, cost-share projects must incorporate beneficial management practices that will lessen the impacts of flooding and drought incidents.

For instance, projects can include the following: • Projects that enhance natural watershed function • Wetland enhancements, such as enhancing riparian and upland vegetation associated with wetlands • Stormwater management,

such as erosion controls, planting vegetation, wetland enhancements or construction, hydrologic function enhancement for the watershed (may include planting, contouring, wetland construction), floodplain restoration, low-impact developments (such as rain gardens and bioswales) • Riparian zone enhancements through planting and buffers • Shoreline remediation and/or re-naturalization, such as planting native species, reinforcing shoreline through soil bioengineering and other natural meth-

ods • Erosion reduction measures (e.g., shoreline or riparian naturalization with native plants, establishing a buffer of native plants between landscaped areas and bodies of water, and re-establishment of shorelines through soil bioengineering and other natural methods) • Exclusion fencing, off-site watering systems and stream crossings (e.g., to keep livestock out of water bodies and away from riparian areas) • Use of native species in planting initiatives

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Our community is enhanced by the many family operated farms in the district. They have demonstrated their ability to cope with both prosperity and adversity to achieve economic stability. We salute all those families now and all year round.

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We take great pride in ensuring veterinary visits for our patients, even those that rarely leave the farm, are as stress free as possible. Our staff are all Fear Free certified practitioners and we can help you make that trip to vet clinic much easier!

A community event to look forward to in 2021: • Farm Cat Spay/Neuter Clinic Oct. 2021.

We care for cats, dogs, caged pets, farm pets including poultry, goats, sheep, pot bellied pigs and alpacas.

To all our farmers and ranchers.

You are feeding families across Alberta and beyond and we are grateful!

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2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 13

Page 14 - 2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

Transport issues could be helped if road paved

Patricia Harcourt

Regional transportation issues for grain, livestock and other rural delivery haulers was an important issue for rural councillors in Beaver County and Alberta Transportation recently.

What route truckers travel to deliver their grain and other products could be altered with the paving of Secondary Highway 870, says the county.

But Alberta Transportation said such a project was not possible “for years to come.”

Mike Damberger, Regional Director for Alberta Transportation, was queried about several roads that affect how traffic will use the heard about the traffic issues regarding the 870, and the intersection at Viking where three highways come together.

Secondary Highway 870 which runs north-south through the east end of the county, is used extensively by gravel haulers. But regional grain and livestock trucks and local producers would also use it more if the gravel road wasn’t “pounded out” by the gravel trucks.

Much traffic that might use this road, which would be a handy connection to other highways further south going east and west, take other routes due to the heavy dust and gravel on the 870.

Damberger said the part of the 870 running through the county is a heavily gravelled area, while the rest of the road in other parts of the province is paved.

There are 4,000 km of gravel highways in the province, which the government inherited when it took over responsibility for secondary highways. He admitted that “the 870 is paved in other areas but not in Beaver County. Our cost benefit in terms of paving gravel roads re-

quires more traffic,” he said, which means 400 vehicles a day need to use the road.

Damberger did admit that once the stretch of road was paved, he expected the traffic volume to increase.

But for now, it is only about 100 vehicles a day going through that stretch of gravel road.

“It’s good to have municipalities communicate their pressures to the government,” he said, adding it was also important to keep roads in good condition.

But he added: “The next step of pavement (for the 870) is likely years away,” costing about $16 million.

He promised to update the traffic volumes every fall and keep monitoring the situation. “’When we get pushed to pave a gravel road or widen a highway,” that’s the way to proceed, he said.

But Dale Pederson, who represents the area in Division 5, said “the ratepayers are in my ear,” about the rural road issues in that area. Producers have to take local highways to get to regional grain terminals in places like Killam and Camrose.

The vehicle count at the junction of highways 619, 14 and 36 at Viking “are fairly significant at that corner, plus throw in the trains,” he said, that obstruct traffic and also lead to safety concerns.

There is “a lot of agriculture moving cattle and grain that would use other routes,” he said, suggesting traffic should be diverted to save deterioration of roads.

And he felt “quite strongly” about the need to pave the 870 in the county, so producers have an easier way to reach the grain companies in Daysland, Killam, and Camrose.

Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec also pushed on the 870 paving issue. “I think that you owe us and those people living in Kinsella

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because of the mining of all the gravel that comes out of the University of Alberta farm,” he said. “I think those guys are getting the short end of the stick.”

Hrabec added he was “embarrassed going down that road with a clean car.”

But Damberger told council it was “near impossible for (the county to get) a $16 million project.”

Talk shifted when the two parties brought up the idea of partnering on a project that would pave “a couple of miles” at the intersection of the 870 “It all changes if it’s a cost-share,” said Damberger, as traffic counts no longer are part of the equation. The project would have to “stand out,” he said, but Hrabec said the county was owed for all the gravel taken out of the county.

Reeve Jim Kallal said he “would like to see something work out,” regarding the 870, noting that the road “feeds (to) Hardisty and gravel (needs).”

“Beaver County’s about safety,” he said.

We would like to take this time to thank all the farmers in our region, and wish them all a wonderful year.

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2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 15

Page 16 - 2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

BRWA Continued from Page 7

of invasive tansy, Olson says.

“We could do that on a canoe trip.

“We’re open to any ideas that the clubs are interested in learning and taking action on.”

The program only really started in January, and Olson says the pandemic has had an impact for many clubs; “For some, maybe their community service projects have already been done, or have even been written off this year.

“I think there’s still time this year, if any club is looking for an activity, or wanted to get together even with a few clubs and do something.”

Olson says that the BRWA is working with Flagstaff County, they will be helping out, too.

“We’ve even talked about doing a planting on their site on the Battle River possible.

“We are really hoping we can help with the farming aspects.

We know these 4-H kids who are growing up on farms probably know more than I do, so let’s learn together on how we can

improve the water sources on the farm.

“In our watershed, 75 per cent of our land use is agricultural, and 90 per cent of the land is privately owned, so it is up to our landowners as the stewards of our watershed.

“It’s hard, because everyone feels like this is just our little drop in the pond but really the pond is made up of all those little drops. We all have our little piece of heaven to take care of.

“Often working with nature you get along better than trying to fight it.

“There are so many great examples of farmers really capitalizing on more sustainable land use practices, using sustainable land management practices we already know. The advantages that we see on their farms, and their enjoyment of the wildlife around, we’re hoping to share some of their stories, too.”

It’s easy to participate, all a 4H club has to do is commit the time and bodies. Olson says, “We’ll do the presentation and then we’ll do a tree planting, and then if they wanted to do a canoe trip, or a hike, or any other additional activities, I’m up for it.”

The Battle River Watershed encompasses a wide area in east

central Alberta, covering all of Flagstaff County, and east to Czar, Viking, and Irma, and south of Tofield, Ryley, and Holden running midway between Highway 14 and Highway 13, also including the Hay Lakes area.

“It doesn’t take much for me to do a presentation, if any 4-H club is interested, we are willing to do it.”

Olson says that there are also other presentations she can do, like through their Extreme Science program that she makes to school groups, and really, she says, to anyone who wants to get involved with caring for their watershed.

The Future Farmers for Freshwater is working with the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extensions Society (AWES) on this project.

Olson says, “They’re the experts for the trees and provide the expertise during the tree planting sessions, ensuring the future survival of the trees.”

Olson says plantings can be done spring and fall, and that this program will continue over multiple years.

The program is receiving wide-spread support within the industry.

Harry Brook, Ag. Fieldman for

Flagstaff County says, “Training and educating the youth in the importance of healthy water and riparian ecosystems is an important goal and opportunity.”

County of Wetaskiwin ALUS Coordinator Kim Barkwell says, “Alberta 4-H youth will be future farmers, future stewards, and future leaders.

“The BRWA’s Future Farmers for Freshwater will highlight the importance of agricultural and stewardship practices to this influential group of young people.”

Ranier Bernard, of Forestburg, participated in Olson’s first presentation of the new program with the Golden Prairie 4-H and

says while his family doesn’t farm, he found the interconnection between water sources and farming very fascinating.

“It was my first time hearing about the watershed, and I was kind of surprised at the programs the BRWA offers and the extensive work that they do.”

He says he’s looking forward to the upcoming canoe trip, and the tree planting.

Golden Prairie 4-H has worked with the BRWA before on a number of their programs, including a tree planting, and this program will offer a whole new set of members the opportunity to learn and actively improve the watershed.

A number of years ago, Golden Prairie 4-H partnered with the BRWA for a tree-planting and now a whole new set of members will have that opportunity again under Future Farmers for Fresh Water.

2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 17

Viking Auction Market Ltd. Corner of Hwy 26 & 36 780-336-2209

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Tickets: $35/person.

Buy online at bit.ly/3ddLmko It’s the Experience --- come ride the rails with us in 2021. Did you know you can rent our train? With headquarters in Forestburg, the Friends of the Battle River Railway (FBRR) are delighted to offer private charters alongside a great lineup of themebased excursions in 2021.

We offer a variety of train charter options for individual groups or businesses. Great way to ride the rails with a cohort family group or for customer appreciation events, group functions, family reunions, business retreats, weddings and more. Our For more information about private charters volunteers and staff are happy to work with you to make your special event happen. or any of our train excursions, visit our website Ensuring safe, memorable train experiences for our guests is our number Email friendsbattleriverrail@gmail.com one priority. Come experience Rural Alberta as it was meant to be seen - by rail! 780-781-9260 www.facebook.com/battleriverrail

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Page 18 - 2021 Agriculture Section(The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

Farmer found fescue a good alternative crop

BY JANA SEMENIUK While farming grain has been successful for Lamont County farmer Arlan Maschmeyer, he has not stopped thinking about what else he could grow on his farm.

Maschmeyer, his wife Christine and their now grown family of five children, have lived in a Lamont County farmhouse, built by his grandfather in the 40s, since 1993.

“Physically living here since 1993 and working here since 1979. This is where I was raised and I love it,” he said.

Maschmeyer stated that today his farm grows a few different crops.

“Currently we farm about 5,000 - 6,000 acres of grain operation,” he said. “We have three to four crops.

Wheat, canola and barley and we recently got into fescue.”

Fescue is a perennial grass that's known for being climate-tolerant. In terms of what brought Maschmeyer to decide to grow fescue, he said there are a few different reasons.

“Fescue is a crop you can plant in the spring and harvest in August, so by the end of August everything is baled up and you’re ready to move on to the other crops,” he said. “It’s also nice to give your land a break by growing the grass.”

Maschmeyer said the grass’s ability to grow in difficult soil was another benefit.

“I’ve been able to make it work on really good top soil as well as gumbo soil,” he said.

Gumbo is a hard claybased soil.

While Maschmeyer said the grass is grown primarily for its seed, the left-over bales of fescue hay are also useful.

“Most horse markets will use fescue instead of alfalfa. Its soft in their mouths. Its not intended for a hay crop for cattle, but when you are already in there cutting it down to put it through the combine for seed, you end up with bales to use. Horses and cattle both love it.”

Although the growing time, ease on the land

and useful bales were all positives in the case for growing fescue, Maschmeyer added that there are also some negatives.

“You won’t see any production until year two. The first year you have to establish the crop then you will start producing in the second year,” he said. “It’s also not the easiest to swath especially if it’s wet. You would need it dried down enough.”

While growing fescue may be a new idea for the Lamont County area, it was not a new idea for Maschmeyer.

“I did it 15 years ago in St. Michael where we have some gumbo land

and it worked,” he said.

“When you take off your expenses, you basically do as well as if you had planted canola or wheat.

Plus, you give your land a break. Then it goes to grass and becomes pasture for your cattle and that’s why we got into it.”

Maschmeyer is excited about growing fescue and said everyone should consider it.

“It made a lot of sense for us and I think it would make a lot of sense for other people too,” he said. “If people knew they were buying gumbo soil then they should definitely look at fescue. It’s simpler than

growing a good canola crop. You really can’t mess this thing up.”

Meanwhile, Maschmeyer is also hoping this year will give him at least 150 frost free days

for yet another growing opportunity.

“This year we are also growing peanuts. They are Virginia Jumbos and I’ve got them ready,” he said. “They are a legume

and grow sort of like a potato in the ground. We are starting with 45 days in the house and I’m hoping for the 150 frost free days to finish growing them.”

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2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 19

The important role technology plays in modern agriculture

When asked to think of industries that utilize technology in unique ways, few people may immediately think of agriculture. But technology has left a significant footprint in every industry, and the agricultural sector is no exception.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture notes that modern farms operate a lot differently than the farms of yesteryear.

Dramatic changes have taken place within the agricultural industry over the last few decades, helping farming operations become more efficient and profitable as well as safer and more eco-friendly.

Robots, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images, and GPS technologies are now routinely employed within the agricultural industry.

The NIFA notes that the value of such technologies cannot be understated.

Thanks to the technologies at their disposals, farmers no longer have to uniformly apply water, fertilizer, and pesticides to their farms.

Technology now allows them to use only the minimum

amounts required as they zero in on individual plants and target specific areas of their farms.

The NIFA notes that the utilization of these technologies produces some very real benefits, including: • Higher crop productivity • Reduced impact on natural ecosystems • Less runoff of chemicals into rivers and groundwater • Increased worker safety Safer, more efficient and more eco-friendly operations

Wishing our farmers a prosperous season!

Thank you to the farming industry for all you do &

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THANK YOU TO ALL THE FARMERS across Canada who work hard to keep Canadian families fed.

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can only make the agricultural industry more successful in the decades to come.

That’s especially notable as the world continues to confront climate change and how it might affect the food supply.

Though few may recognize the role of technology in modern farming, there’s no denying the impact that various technologies have already had on the agricultural industry, and that impact figures to become even more profound in the decades to come.

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Page 20 - 2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

Researcher doing three-year prairie cover crop project

Leslie Cholowsky

Callum Morrison is a PhD student from the University of Manitoba, and he is on the verge of wrapping up the very first cover crop survey taking place across Canada’s three prairie provinces, as well as a similar project in Ontario.

Morrison says, “Some of our goals are to determine the current extend of cover cropping on the prairies and why cover crops are being grown, and also to determine how farmers are fitting cover crops into their rotations.”

A cover crop is a crop planted to cover the soil at a time when the soil would otherwise be left bare, for example in the ‘shoulder season’ after cash crop harvest in the fall and before cash crop planting in the spring.

Cover crops are also known to improve soil physical properties which can greatly improve soil heath.

“The increased soil organic matter and increased aggregation and macropore formation from the presence of cover crop roots is known to increase water infiltration and reduce soil compaction.

“The increased nutrient cycling and organic matter deposition leads to an increase in soil biological activity.

“Cover crops therefore can be said to benefit soil physical, chemical, and physical heath. Cover crops also benefit Canadian agriculture by increasing productivity and resiliency.

“It is thought that cover crops could even help to reduce the contribution of Canadian agriculture to climate change as cover crops can lead to carbon sequestration in the soil.”

Morrison says, “We are equally interested in farmers who didn’t grow a cover crop as farmers who did.

“This will highlight what challenges limit cover crop adoption on the Prairies, and what mitigation practices may be needed to assist farmers to adopt cover crops in the future.”

The main project objectives are to determine the current extent of cover cropping in the Prairies, then determine how cover

crops are being used.

Ultimately Morrison’s project will create a network of farmers who are users of cover crops.

The research will also be used to determine what cover crop farmers would like to see in future research or extension “We built on our 2019 survey by including farmers who have never grown cover crops in a 2020 survey.

“This allowed us to identify reasons why farmers may be willing to adopt cover crops, and what their main fears are about growing cover crops.”

Morrison says Alberta farmers tend to be planting their cover crops much earlier during the growing season of the cash crop to get around the short growing season and less moisture typically seen in Alberta.

“One of the major focuses of our research is to determine what is realistic for Alberta.

“What are farmers doing, where and what challenges are limiting cover crop use?”

He says knowing the answers to those questions will allow for the identification of possible ways to mitigate the challenges farmers are facing.

Morrison says the use of cover cropping by Alberta farmers is very diverse, growing a variety of cover crops on different farm types and for many different reasons.

He says the practice is very much a niche endeavor, but appears to be more popular than most researchers, including himself and his professor, had previously thought.

Morrison says that so far he’s heard from 106 farmers in Alberta, of whom 66 grew a cover crop and 40 did not.

“The cover crops most grown by those farmers were, in decreasing order: clover, oats, peas, radish, turnips, rye grasses, barley, and phacelia.

“Most farmers in Alberta were either no till or reduced till.”

He says, “Cover crops have the potential to provide environmental benefits, including climate change mitigation and

keeping our lakes and rivers clean, which will be of interest to people engaged in other lines of work.”

Morrison says, “The project will be beneficial to farmers by creating a report on cover cropping on the Prairies which farmers can use as a resource. This research also aim to provide producers with a voice to direct future cover crop research on the prairies.”

In total, Morrison’s project has generated responses from 400 farms across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, but has had the greatest success in Ontario, where he’s heard from 650 farmers.

The project was launched in 2019 by Morrison and Dr. Yvonne Lawley from the University of Manitoba.

Morrison grew up in Dundee, Scotland, famed for its berry production.

Both parents worked in agriculture, growing berries and potatoes. He gained a BSc in Agricultural Science at Scotland’s Rural College, taking an

exchange in his third year at the University of Arkansas to research a dissertation on the effect of soil management practices on the population of plant parasitic nematodes.

While working in Arkansas, Morrison travelled to Manitoba and became interested in the Canadian prairie landscapes and way of life.

After graduating, he returned to Canada, first working at a rotationally grazed cattle farm, then at a seed company that bred high quality canola.

He moved back to Scotland to study an MSc in Sustainable Plant Health at the University of Edinburgh, and returned to Manitoba in 2019 to begin a PhD in Agriculture.

Thank you, Farmers It can ttake k years off effort ff t and d planning l i tto b build ild 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.

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2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 21

SALUTING OUR FARMERS

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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.

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Page 22 - 2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK!

WE SALUTE OUR LOCAL FARMERS! We would like to thank the farming communities and their families for all their hard work and dedication throughout the year!

Thank You!

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YOU TO OUR LOCAL FARMERS !

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• Tofield 780-662-0165 • Holden 780-688-3865 • Mundare 780-764-2238

Wishing our Farmers a bountiful year ahead!

Thank you farmers for all that you do.

It is greatly appreciated!

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Wishing our Farmers a successful year!

We would like to say thank you to our local farmers!

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Thank You Farmers!

2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 23

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Page 24 - 2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

G Foundation expands plans to promote land stewardship over 5,000 acres of UN biosphere

The Global Foundation for Social Harmony and Sustainable Development (G Foundation) continues its role in efforts to promote the objects of the UN Beaver Hills Biosphere in the 5,000 acres of sensitive wetlands that surround its headquarters.

“Our foundation partnered with the U of A Augustana Camrose Community Service Learning program to hand-deliver

zoom meeting invitations to farm gates of almost 300 landowners living downstream from a unique water catchment area in the biosphere that feeds both Battle River and North Sask. watersheds,” said President Winston Gereluk.

“A second Augustana team helped create a wilderness monitoring corridor within this catchment area. We want this monitoring to eventually inform

the decision-making of downstream landowners within the 5,000 acres of Biosphere wetlands.”

He added that he was encouraged by the enthusiasm that followed a recent zoom information session hosted by his organization for residents of Beaver and Camrose counties who live within the UN-designated Beaver Hills Biosphere.

The main purpose of the farmgate delivery and zoom meeting, according to Gereluk was to inform people that they live within the biosphere wetland area, which the UN regards as important to the global ecology.

Gereluk said that becoming voluntary stewards of such a large tract of land simply meant that his organization would put more focus on its own extended

watershed neighbourhood to identify and promote policy and actions that could support the UN Biosphere, in the long term.

“Until now, we have focused on 800 acres of surrounding land to promote the protection of wetlands. This new proposal will extend our efforts to over 5,000 acres and will involve many more actors for which more resources must be found.”

CAMROSE CONSTITUENCY camrose@albertaparty.ca Alberta Party – Agriculture Focus Shadow Budget 2021 * Agriculture in Alberta Is one of our largest and most important industries! * Invest another $300M to support value-added agriculture production! * Locally produce more consumer-ready food right here in Alberta! * Introduce an incentive program for greenhouses to locally grow foods currently imported into Alberta, such as peppers, herbs, spices, or lettuce!

It is important we hear from our Agriculture community!

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Wishing the very best for the farming community in their upcoming growing season!

2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 25

Optimistic outlook for Lamont farmers this spring

BY JOHN MATHER Lamont County farmers are facing a brighter outlook for getting on their fields after two previous years of major flooding.

“It looks good this year,” said Daniel Warawa who farms in the eastern side of the County. “There’s not that much water around. It’s surprising where it all disappeared to.”

He said where any flooding had occurred last year the water is down in some areas by a couple of feet. He added the roads that had flooded in his area last year were fine this spring.

“Last year where the water receded over the hill to fill the sloughs up, it will be a couple of years before that comes back.”

He said it looked like it might be a dry year this year, but there was water still in the ground.

“But then the water table can’t be high because if you look where there was flooding on Twp. Road 544 there’s not much water in the ditches.”

“It’s looks not bad for spring, but April is not here,” he added.

Warawa said one year he lost several calves because of a spring snow fall that suffocated them when they became trapped along a fence line.

“If we got a nice rain now it would soak in and thaw the ground frost,” he said.

Warawa said he is concerned about the increase in the carbon tax that occurs April 1.

B EST

OF LUCK FOR SPRING SEEDING !

M AYOR , COUNCIL & STAFF Where fields in most parts of Lamont County, and especially the central part, were saturated with water and unusable last spring as seen in this aerial file photo, this year area farmers are optimistic things are looking up.

“We’re fortunate that farmers are exempt from paying a carbon tax on marked diesel or marked gas,” he said. “But the fuel prices are still too high. We just filled up last week. Filling a 5,000 gallon tank and a 1,000 gallon tank cost $21,000.”

He said that was for his spring work and they would need to refill before all his spring work is done. He does admit marked fuel is a little cheaper than the regular fuel at the pump.

Lamont Agricultural Fieldman Terry Eleniak agrees the season looks good for farmers right now, but he is still cautiously optimistic.

“There’s a lot less water than we’ve had in the past couple of years with minimal runoff,” he said. “It is looking a little better to get into the fields, but at this point it’s still hard to say when that could begin.”

He said while there’s still frost in the ground, moisture is seeping into the ground from melting snow.

Eleniak said it will be nice to get the crops in the ground but there is still a need for timely showers once the seed-

ing is done.

He added the County will still be dealing with the beaver population in the County because “it is still a big concern.”

He said the beavers will dictate where County employees work at removing them.

“We’re dealing with any of the hotspots that were a concern last year,” he said. “Is it as bad as last year? At this point no, but it is always a concern.”

He adds they are dealing with water concerns around Elk Island Park, the Blackfoot Grazing Reserve and Beaver Lake but he hasn’t been out to see if there’s any flooding in that area.

Eleniak adds that if there is no spring moisture in the next few weeks some farmers will start finishing off fieldwork they were unable to complete last fall, in late April, and others may be planting peas by the end of the month.

Peas, he adds, are generally an early crop that is planted.

“Based on our current weather we should be a week or two earlier getting on the fields,” he said.

“Granted we usually get some heavy snow or heavier rain in April so saying they’ll get on the field early is just speculating based on our current weather.”

For Neil Woitas who farms to the northeast of Bruderheim, he reports the situation is looking good for this year.

He said there will be about eight to 10 per cent of the fields under water this spring compared to the 100 per cent last year.

“It’s looking a way better this year,” he said in an email.

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Page 26 - 2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

We would like to thank our farmers for their business, support and all the hard work they do!

Thank you from, Richard, Christine, Tyrell, Dave, John & Kelly

Ryley AB. 780-663-3583

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Wishing our farmers a great year!

Wishing all the farmers the best!

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As we pause to think about the food we eat, we are thankful for the farming industry!

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2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021 - Page 27

Flagstaff County pulls ahead of Lamont for most Century Farm award recipients Leslie Cholowsky Flagstaff County can boast that they have the most recognized century family farms in the Province of Alberta.

Currently 87 Flagstaff County farm families have received the special designation of Century Farms through Alberta’s Century Farm and Ranch Award, recognizing farm families who have continuously owned and actively operated the same land for 100 years or more.

Lamont County presently has the second-most number of Century Farms honoured by the Province, at 81.

While Flagstaff County records 1902 as the earliest homestead date, for the Seiferman family, who received the award in 2002, Lamont County boasts one of the oldest farms, the Hackett family farm, homesteaded in 1892, and awarded the Century Farm honour in 1994. Lamont has a number of Century Farms that date back to before 1900.

Beaver County presently has 29 Century Farm recipients, their first was also awarded in 1994, to the Anderson Family, who homesteaded in 1894 in the Viking area.

Flagstaff County recently featured the Century Award program on their new podcast, with Assistant CAO Brent Hoyland providing some history around homesteading in Alberta.

The Province has also introduced a 125-year recognition program, for those Century Farm Award recipients who have made it to a century and a quarter on the same land. The criteria for this award is the same as for the Century Farm award.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry processes the applications for both awards, applications are available at www.alberta.ca/ alberta-century-farm-and-ranch-award.aspx Catch the Flagstaff County podcast at flagstaff.ab.ca

To those who work in hectares, not hours We thank you!

From Flagstaff County Council and Staff

Page 28 - 2021 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 31, 2021

Ag Service Boards unique to Alberta

Leslie Cholowsky

Alberta’s Agricultural Service Boards (ASB), which number 69 in total, have provided more than 75 years of continuous service to Alberta farm communities since first being established in 1945.

Working under the Alberta Agricultural Service Board Act, municipal councils appoint agricultural service boards to address ag. concerns in their communities.

The boards are made up of public elected officials and private citizens with agricultural knowledge, and they work to develop policies and programs for their local agricultural sector.

The Province says that the 69 ASBs in Alberta help al-

most 60,000 farms and ranches to protect over 50 million acres that they farm.

This help can take the form of managing agricultural weeds and pests, soil and water conservation programs, control of animal diseases, and the development of municipal policies.

There is also an ASB Provincial Committee, which is an advisory panel to local ASBs and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.

Annual ASB regional conferences give ASB members from different communities a chance to meet and compare the issues faced by each ASB. At the provincial Conference, ASBs may also come together under common issues and pass resolutions that con-

cern issues of common concern to many.

For 2021, ASB passed nine resolutions brought forward by member ASBs. One of these included weed issues on oil and gas sites in rural Alberta, asking the province for legislation and standards to protect landowners from neglected oil and gas sites with regards to weed control.

Another resolution was made concerning the development of an empty pesticide container program that places the responsibility of collecting pesticide containers with the Alberta retail dealer, removing the responsibility from municipalities.

Flagstaff County sponsored a resolution proposing that

strychnine registration be extended past March 2023 until an effective and safe alternative control for Richardson Ground Squirrels could be found. On a similar topic, another resolution brought forward by ASBs to the province was the reinstatement of two per cent liquid strychnine on a temporary bases to ag producers to control Richardson’s Ground Squirrels.

Other issues brought forward were equally important to producers, and included a new labelling process for fusarium testing after cleaning; for reinstating provincial agricultural department staff; to protect farmers’ right to farm saved seed; and to provide a carbon levy exemption for consumption of propane

and natural gas for all recognized agricultural production.

ASBs are responsible for appointing qualified personnel as Agricultural Fieldmen, designated officers of the municipality in which the ASB operates.

An Ag Fieldman automatically is appointed as an inspector under the provincial ASB legislation, and responsible for administering four acts for which Alberta’s municipalities and counties have legal obligations. These are the ASB Act, the Weed Control Act, the Soil Conservation Act, and the Agricultural Pests Act. Ag Fieldmen also assist in the provincial enforcement of the Animal Health Act.

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