Farming First

Agriculture is the backbone of Mountain View County's landscape and culture. With over 1,800 farms and ranches located on 3,800 square kms of rich fertile soil and lush grazing land, agriculture is our proud heritage and our vital link to the future.

Mountain View County's Agricultural Services Department, guided by the Agricultural Service Board, is resourced to support local farmers and ranchers with programs and services designed to enhance production, environmental stewardship and industry growth.

Agricultural Service Board

Mountain View County's Agricultural Service Boards formed under the Alberta Agricultural Service Board Act, carries out the following:

• Act as an advisory body to assist Council and the Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Development in matters of mutual concern
• Advise on and help to organize direct weed and pest control and soil and water conservation programs
• Assist in the control of livestock disease under the Livestock Diseases Act
• Promote, enhance and protect viable and sustainable agriculture with a view to improving the economic viability of the agricultural producer
• Promote and develop agricultural policies to meet the needs of the County

In Alberta, there are 70 Agriculture Service Boards. In Mountain View County, the Agricultural Service Board was recently restructured to include three Councillors and four ratepayers to better respond to the needs of local farmers (the previous Board was comprised of 7 Councillors). The current Board includes:

Agricultural Fieldmen

Like other Municipalities with Agricultural Service Boards, Mountain View County appoints qualified individuals to implement the agriculture policies, programs and resources of the County.

Mountain View County's Agricultural Fieldmen are:

Their duties include:

• Carrying out the functions, duties and powers of Mountain View County under any Act relating to agriculture
• Implementing projects respecting agriculture agreed on between Mountain View County Council and the Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Development
• Acting as Mountain View's municipal inspectors under the Weed Control Act,
• Acting as Mountain View's inspectors under the Agricultural Pests Act
• Acting as Mountain View's soil conservation officer under the Soil Conservation Act

To find your local Agricultural Fieldman visit the Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldman website.

Sustainable Agriculture

Protecting and sustaining the natural resources that fuel the County's agriculture industry is a responsibility we take seriously. Funding and expertise is available to County farmers committed to pursuing sound environmental strategies that:

• Protect natural resources
• Protect endangered species
• Enhance Biodiversity
• Enhance soil conservation
• Maintain riparian areas and enhance water quality
• Improve environmental stewardship management practices

We offer several programs promoting environmentally friendly farm practices.

For more information on Sustainable Agriculture in Mountain View County, contact our Sustainable Agricultural Specialist

Please review our website or contact us for information on programs and services offered to farmers and ranchers by Mountain View County.