The Mountain View County agricultural service board (ASB) will be sending a letter of concern to the minister of agriculture regarding changes to the province’s Ropin’ the Web website.
The move was approved by way of motion at the board’s recent regularly scheduled meeting. The letter specifically regards the "General Store" feature on the site.
“As part of a larger government of Alberta web consolidation project, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s web presence, including Ropin’ the Web, will be moving to Alberta.ca. By March 31, online government directories are no longer available,” administration said in a briefing note to the board.
Board members approved a letter of concern to be sent to the minister of agriculture following the 2019 provincial election.
Signed by board chairman Brian Rodger, the letter states, in part, as follows: “While we recognize the intent of the consolidation of the various Alberta government websites on Alberta.ca is for all government information and services to be useable and accessible for all Albertans, it is no longer providing a valuable service to Alberta farmers.
“Many farmers and customers rely on the General Store (part of the Ropin’ the Web site) for listings of various items for sale or wanted in Alberta and locations across the prairies.”
The General Store provided a resource for those wanting to sell or purchase agricultural related supplies and services, and Ropin’ the Web was one of the few trusted online resources, the letter states.
“Now farmers are being advised to use Facebook or other listing services in replacement. This is not an acceptable replacement to government service.”
The board is asking the government to “mitigate or redevelop the functionality of the general store to the new Alberta government website as this feature provides a valuable service to rural Alberta.”
In other board news, ASB members have reviewed the policy/procedure for agricultural related project grants.
“The intent of the agricultural related projects grant is to support agricultural development through education, youth engagement, events and other related projects,” administration said in a briefing note to the board.
“This funding is available to groups, associations and non-profit societies that have been in existence for at least two years and operate within Mountain View County.”
All funding applications are forwarded to an ASB meeting for review for funding consideration, and additional information and/or a presentation may be requested, members heard.
Regarding the allocation of agricultural related project funding, the recently updated policy 6303 states that, “Mountain View County supports agricultural development in the form of education, youth engagement, a variety of events, economic development and related projects that meet the needs of the agricultural community.
“The ASB promotes, enhances and protects viable and sustainable agriculture with a view to improving the economic viability of the agriculture producer.”
The related procedure calls on county council to “annually establish a budget amount under the ASB to be distributed under this policy in each fiscal year” and “requests must be made in writing and include a statement describing the agricultural related project and the benefit it will provide.”
During the April 15 ASB meeting, members also approved a number of Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) projects.
One project will see $2,000 provided for 450 metres of fencing along a tributary to Beaverdam Creek in the Little Red Deer River watershed in the county’s south side.
Another project will see $4,500 provided for 850 metres of fencing along a tributary to Fallentimber Creek on the county’s west side.
A third project will see $4,800 provided for fencing and $7,500 for a watering system along the James River watershed in the county’s northwest.
The board also approved funding for a project along the Dogpound Creek under the Riparian & Ecological Enhancement Program (REEP). The project involves funding for a water system for cattle.
The ASB is made up of county councillors and appointed public members. It advises the county and the province on agriculture-related issues and concerns.
