BARRHEAD-They knew it was coming, but that did not make it any easier.
County of Barrhead councillors authorized the reeve to sign a five-year agreement with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry to ensure they receive their annual Agricultural Services Board (ASB) grant.
The province established the grant program more than 70 years ago as a way for the government to work with rural communities to maintain and improve agricultural production.
The 2020 budget stated that it would be reducing the ASB Grant Program by $3,193,000. From 2017 to 2019 the program’s budget was $11,678,000, which was divided among 69 rural communities.
County manager Debbie Oyarzun said, unfortunately, the cut was true.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Barrhead Agricultural Services Board (ASB) will receive $123,907 annually down from $168,359 in the previous three-year contract.
Oyarzun noted the grant makes up the largest portion of ASB funding.
She explained the ASB has two streams of funding, legislative and resource management.
Legislative funding is used to cover the costs involved in enforcing its primary mandate under various provincial legislation such as the Weed Control, Pests, Soil Conservation and Livestock Disease acts.
The other source of funding is the Resource Management stream, which also comes from the province. This funding is used to fund Highway 2 Conservation (H2C), an environmental stewardship organization and is a partnership between the County of Barrhead, Westlock County, Athabasca County and Thorhild County. Thorhild County is a recent addition joining late last year.
"We have had verbal confirmation [from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry] that the portion should be the same, but keep in mind it is merit-based or the level of programming that is offered," Oyarzun said, adding that his calendar year H2C received $74,000.
In addition to the provincial funding, H2C receives additional monies from each of its partners. As the managing partner, the County of Barrhead contributes to the largest amount, averaging about $9,000 annually.
Although H2C provides several services, it mostly hosts a variety of environmental and conservation-based workshops.
"Plus we provide, space, equipment and other services in kind," she said.
In preparation, for the funding cut, in September councillors instructed administration to bring back a public engagement plan which would include an online survey asking county residents what direction they would like to see the ASB go.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
