EDMONTON – Tight budgets and a hiring freeze have slowed the implementation of Alberta’s version of the AgriStability program.
Parts of Alberta’s program have been delayed because of budget cuts, said Marcia Hewitt-Fischer, branch head with Alberta Agriculture’s Growing Forward program.
“We had envisioned all programs up and running by now. It’s a little bit slower than we wanted to be,” Hewitt-Fisher told the Wild Rose Agricultural Producers meeting Jan. 6.
The program was launched last April, but the launch was delayed because of the Alberta government’s hiring freeze.
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With the switch from the federal government implementing the programs to the provinces, Alberta’s programs were reduced to 23 from 90 with a simpler registration process.
Only about 11 of the agriculture programs designed to help farmers become more competitive have been launched. Hewitt-Fischer said they anticipate an on-farm food safety program, two energy efficiency programs and a manure management program will be implemented by February, bringing the total to 15.
“I don’t think there’s any question there is a resource constraint,” said Hewitt-Fisher.
Humphrey Banack, president of Alberta’s Wild Rose Agricultural Producers, said he was concerned about the loss of funding for the popular environmental farm plan program, which helped farmers review their farming operation and offered funds for environmental upgrades.
“Farmers took to it very well,” said Banack.
Hewitt-Fischer said completing the EFP program would still be a requirement before applying for grants under the new stewardship program of Growing Forward.
Ron Leonhardt of Drumheller hoped new energy efficiency programs would be extended for community use. A local community centre wanted funding to help test wind turbines as a source of energy for the community centre.
“I hope the government will consider things like this under the new program because in the past it wasn’t very favourable.”
Terry Murray of Wainwright wanted to know if money was available for leadership development.
The leadership grant program could be implemented by April and is available for individuals or third parties to help develop leadership skills for rural areas.
Dwayne Marshman of Rockyford, Alta., questioned the effectiveness of Growing Forward.
“Maybe I’m a slow learner, but I don’t see what’s in it for me.”
Marshman, who said farmers are losing markets because of increasingly high standards and regulations, doesn’t see how the new programs will help regain markets.
Bill Dobson of Paradise Valley said he doesn’t know if Growing Forward will directly benefit farmers, but the provincial government must continue to push the programs forward if Alberta farmers are going to compete against others.
“If you don’t play the game and meet the competition, there will be less than nothing in it for me,” he said.
