Agricultural Services Board

Vision

Every rural municipality in Alberta has an appointed Agricultural Service Board (ASB); the primary function of the ASB is to assist producers in achieving sustainable agricultural production and consider environmental and social issues related to agriculture. Cardston County's ASB strives to promote, protect, enhance, and support agriculture and the natural landscape to make Cardston County a thriving place to live.

 
Mission

The Cardston County Agricultural Service Board, together with the agricultural community, will continue to develop and deliver programs that: maintain and improve water quality and the watershed value of our rivers, reduce the risk of pests to agriculture, protect the County from new invasive weed species, maintain control of existing infestations, assist provincial and federal agencies as needed for disease control and monitoring, continue to provide quality rental equipment that meets the unique needs of our agricultural producers, and advise County Council on agrarian issues.


Our Responsibilities 

The Agricultural Service Board was established and guided by the Agricultural Service Board Act. The ASB is responsible for enforcing the Agricultural Service Board Act, the Weed Control Act, the Agricultural Pests Act, and the Soil Conservation Act, as well as helping with the Animal Health Act as needed.

On April 14, 1948, the Agricultural Service Board (ASB) of the M.D. of Cardston No. 6 was officially formed and has been running Agricultural programming under the guidance of the Agricultural Service Board Act ever since. The 69 ASBs in Alberta help nearly 60,000 farms and ranches protect the over 50 million acres they farm. Across the province, local ASBs work in their communities to help manage agricultural weeds and pests and conserve soil and water. 

In Cardston County, the Agricultural Service Board is responsible for the following:

  • Enforcing the Agricultural Service Board Act
    1. Employ an Agricultural Fieldman
    2. Operating an efficient and effective ASB Committee
    3. Implement programs and policies that help agriculture thrive within the county.
  • Enforcing the Weed Control Act
    1. Hiring Weed Inspectors
    2. Work with producers and industry to minimize the effects of prohibited noxious and noxious weeds.
    3. Implement effective vegetation control measures on publicly owned lands.
  • Enforcing the Agricultural Pest Act
    1. Conduct surveys to determine the threat of regulated pests and nuisances.
    2. Implement programs to deal with regulated pests and nuisances.
  • Enforcing the Soil Conservation Act
    1. Implement programs to reduce the effects of soil erosion.
    2. Cardston County ASB has adopted its own shelter belt program
  • Aiding with matters related to the Animal Health Act
  • Disseminating information from Alberta Agriculture to the local ag community through education and awareness campaigns
  • Operating the Del Bonita Recreation Area and the Dipping Vat Lake
  • Mowing various campgrounds operated by Cardston County.
  • Facility Maintenance
 
Agriculture Services Board Contact Information
 
Councillor Roger Houghton - ASB Chairman
Email   (403) 634-7281

Rod Foggin - Agricultural Fieldman
Email     (403) 382-8236

Stephen Bevans - Assistant Fieldman
Email     (403) 634-9474

ASB Rentals and Chemical:  (403) 795-2594

The Real Dirt on Farming

The Real Dirt on Farming is designed to connect you with the food you eat, and introduce you to some of Canada's farm families. This booklet provides basic facts on topics such as the difference between growing crops conventionally and organically, pesticide use, animal housing and animal welfare, environmental sustainability, technology used in farming as well as many other subjects that you have indicated are important to you. The goal of this book is to help you make informed decisions about the food you're serving your family.


Agricultural Operations Practises Act (AOPA)

The purpose of this guide is to provide agricultural operations in Alberta with information on:

  • How the AOPA applies to various agricultural operations that handle manure.
  • The requirements and regulations under AOPA that deals with siting; manure storage, collection and application; feeding and bedding sites; livestock corrals; soil testing and analysis; and record keeping.
  • The issues related to ongoing compliance and enforcement.
For information on the above listed items and for a complete view of the AOPA, please visit this website.
 
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada presents useful information pertaining to Canada's agricultural industry including notes on livestock, crop profiles, planning and building farm shelterbelts and other important items.

Please visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada if you would like additional information.
 
Haying Permits

Applications for haying a municipal right of way will be accepted until May 31, with priority given to adjacent landowners. In order to receive a permit, an Access and Work Agreement must be signed and all conditions met.

You must have Comprehensive or Commercial General Liability Insurance in an amount not less than two million ($2,000,000) dollars per occurrence against bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage and completed operations liability. The applicant must cut all areas listed for haying on the access and work agreement in a manner that creates no hazard to traffic. Bales must not be left on the edge of the road or in an area that will block drainage. Any cost incurred by Cardston County to enforce these conditions may be charged back to the applicant. Contact the County Office at (403) 653-4977 for more info.


Useful Links