Long-term sustainability of the agriculture industry is a key mandate of Rocky View County. Agricultural Services works to help conserve and improve the rural environment by encouraging environmentally responsible farming and production methods.
Below are a few resources to assist agricultural producers in maintaining an environmentally sustainable operation.
Agri-Environmental Incentive Program
An incentive program created by Agricultural Services available to all Rocky View County residents. This program provides funding to off-set the cost of environmentally beneficial projects, and is run on a first-come first-serve basis while funding is available.
ALUS Program
The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program is a Rocky View County delivered program, in partnership with ALUS Canada, which aims to improve ecological services such as: clean air, clean water, flood mitigation, climate adaptation, carbon sequestration, species at risk habitat and support for our native bees and pollinators.
The County accepts applications on a continual basis throughout the year. The ALUS PAC (Partnership Advisory Committee) is currently looking for projects which are ready to be established in the spring or fall of 2021. Applications will be reviewed by the PAC and a select few projects will be implemented based on available funding. If you would like to find out if your project qualifies as an ALUS project or have any questions regarding the program, please the contact ALUS Rocky View Program Coordinator at agservices@rockyview.ca or 403-230-1401.
Through the ALUS program, farmers and ranchers can receive funding to make improvements to environmentally-sensitive, marginal or inefficient farm land. Examples of projects which can be considered include restoring wetlands, reforesting, planting windbreaks, installing riparian buffers, creating pollinator habitat and establishing other ecologically-beneficial projects.
Through its Agricultural Service Board, the County established a Partnership Advisory Committee to assist with the implementation and oversight of the program, along with support from the Agricultural Services Department.
Canadian Agricultural Partnership
In Alberta, the Canadian Agricultural Partnership represents a federal - provincial investment of $406 million organized under five themes: Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change; Products, Market Growth and Diversification; Science and Research; Risk Management; and Public Trust.
Program specialists and Alberta Agriculture staff are available to help producers assess their operation and work through the application process. Although this is not a Rocky View County program, Agricultural Services staff are available to provide support and assist residents with their applications.
Environmental Farm Plan
An Environmental Farm Plan is a self-assessment process that allows producers to identify and evaluate the environmental risks and strengths that may be present within their agricultural operation. This voluntary, confidential process provides producers with a free workbook aimed at creating awareness and issue identification.
Although this is not a Rocky View County program, Agricultural Services staff are available to provide support and assist residents with their applications.
Farm Energy and Agri-Processing (FEAP) Program
The Farm Energy and Agri-Processing Program shares costs with the agriculture and agri-processing sector on energy efficiency investments. The program is designed to encourage energy management which will result in cost savings, energy conservation, and ultimately, reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Although this is not a Rocky View County program, Agricultural Services staff are available to provide support and assist residents with their applications.
Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program
The primary objective of the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program (WRRP) is to increase the natural ability of the province's watersheds to reduce the intensity, magnitude, duration, and effects of flooding and drought through watershed mitigation measures. Additionally, the program aims to address impacts of past flooding and/or droughts through the restoration of degraded areas in priority watersheds, which will enhance communities' ability to withstand future flooding or droughts.
The Rocky View County and Wheatland County agricultural departments are partnering to work with producers in the Rosebud River watershed over the next few years on streambank projects. Livestock producers are eligible for 100% funding for off-site watering systems and streambank fencing. Ranchers play an important role in protecting riparian streambanks and improving water quality in the Rosebud watershed. These projects also benefit livestock health as well as flood and drought resiliency of a farm.