March 24, 2020 Country Booster by The Camrose Booster

The paper created EXCLUSIVELY for farm families and rural residents of east central Alberta

March 24, 2020

Photo by Lori Larsen

Always better – always better read

8 Pages

It is officially spring, the time of year when putting hands into dirt means the prospects of little green shoots and new beginnings. Avonroy Gardens owner/operator Murielle Olsen is busy tilling earth and planting seeds, preparing for another season of bright, colourful greenery and flowers. “I'm hoping what I do brings much needed joy to people.” Nothing can lift spirits like the hope of new life popping its head out of the warming soil and the anticipation of baskets and planters overflowing with beautiful flowers.

Inside...

A variety of merchandise and services: Farm supplies and services, electronics, homes, body shop, real estate, banking and more!

News Features… 4 County preparing for summer dust control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Rural residents against crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Roughstock Rodeo to be held in spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Visit our website: www.camrosebooster.com

Win a colour enlargement of your farm! See page 8

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 24, 2020 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Page 2

forEVERGREEN Rejuvenation j Project j

RCMP counter service closed By Lori Larsen

In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus), the RCMP are taking some precautionary measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees and the public. While there has been no change to the Alberta RCMPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response to critical and emergent matters, all detachments are modifying service delivery at front counters and restricting access to public spaces within RCMP facilities. In order to prioritize essential policing services and to reduce unnecessary contact with personnel, detachments will suspend all non-critical front counter services. Fingerprinting for Criminal Record Checks will only be done in exceptional circumstances. Nonurgent fingerprinting and Criminal Record Checks will resume at a later date. Before proceeding to a detachment, consult the provincial directory ( h t t p ://www.r cmp - g r c . gc . c a/d e t a ch/e n/f in d/ AB#wb-cont) and telephone the listed number (Camrose 780-672-3341.) If assistance can be provided to you over the phone, an employee or officer will do so. If your request requires personal contact with an officer, that decision will be made over the phone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These decisions were made to ensure that there were no impacts to essential services, keeping our communities safe,â&#x20AC;? said Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP. The RCMP remind the public to telephone 911 in the event of any emergent or critical matter.

Count onâ&#x20AC;Ś

Free Evergreen Seedlings

Camrose County is offering free evergreen seedlings to be planted only into native tree stands (no ornamental plantings), within Camrose County. These seedlings will provide years of beautiful scenery in their natural setting. If you would like to be a part of this project, call Agricultural Services at 780-672-4765, stop by at 4728-41 Street, Camrose, or visit www.county.camrose.ab.ca. An application form will need to be filled out, and tree limits will be in effect. Anyone interested will need to complete the form by April 30 for mid-May delivery.

Camrose County Agricultural Services

780-672-4765

4728-41 Street, Camrose

to haul your grain Too busy? Lack of equipment or manpower? We offer two dependable trucks with highly experienced staff. Over 59 years of experience moving grain from field or bin. You can trust and rely on us.

Call Jim Olson

780-679-7316

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 24, 2020 – Page 3

Saluting Ag producers

A Message for Our Members

By Lori Larsen

Amidst a world that may otherwise seem in turmoil, the lights in the barns burn long past sundown and the seeds will still be planted. Through tireless efforts, difficult economic times, unpredictable, sometimes unforgiving, weather and uncertain world markets, they feed the world. For that, and so many other reasons, we salute our agricultural industry. Be it farmers or ranchers, big or small we thank them for the contributions they make to keeping us fed.

During difficult times, our natural instinct is to come together. But, for now, the best thing we can do for each other is offer our support from a distance. Following the recommendations of Alberta Health and the Government of Canada, we ask that our members please limit in-person visits to our branches. Although our branches remain open, we request that members only come in if absolutely necessary. Please call us first if you’re unsure whether your request requires an in-branch visit. During this time, we can continue to be here for you in different ways: Call us: You can call your branch to connect with a member service representative with any questions you might have and we can best direct you from there. Use our mobile app: You can download our mobile app by searching “Vision Credit Union Ltd.” on the App Store and Google Play. Through the app, you can check your balance, pay bills, deposit funds, transfer funds, manage payments, and more. Deposit your cheques remotely: Using our app, you can deposit cheques by taking a photo (remote deposit capture). Login to your online banking: Many day-to-day banking services can be completed online, such as: checking your balance, paying bills, transferring funds, managing payments, and more. Pay your bills remotely: You can pay bills online by logging into your online banking or using our mobile app. You can also set-up preauthorized bill payments, so that your specified bills are automatically paid each month. Use our ATMs: ATMs will remain open so that our members have access to automatic teller services, including cash withdrawal. Rest assured, we’re keeping our ATM surfaces sanitized through frequent and thorough cleaning. If you’re directly impacted by COVID-19 and facing financial difficulties as a result, we encourage you to reach out. Contact your local branch to schedule a telephone appointment to discuss financial relief options, including deferral of mortgage, line of credit, loan and car payments.

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Farming sunup until sundown

Alberta farmers and ranchers contribute approximately one third of agriculture production in Canada. From Cardston to Hay River there are over 43,000 farms and ranches of various sizes producing various products. “The agricultural community are not only our customers and business partners, but also our neighbours, family and friends,” said Fountain Tire east Camrose owner/manager Jason Fleck. “Thank you to our region’s dedicated agricultural personnel for the contributions you make to our community each day.” As the leading producer of grain and canola in Canada, Alberta farmers battle the uncertainty of weather to ensure crops provide healthy yields. Alberta farmers also raise, or use for dairy production, more than five million cattle any given year and control almost half of the total beef production and export market in Canada. The Alberta agricultural industry consists of unincorporated farms to larger corporations and are often family run farms that have been passed on from generation to generation. As landlords of the earth and keepers of livestock, farmers and ranchers put in long hours of often gruelling work to get food to our tables. We thank them.

We see banking differently, but we’re all in this together.

We see banking differently.

Truck inspections keep vehicles safe By Murray Green

Camrose County will join forces with Commercial Vehicle Enforcement to conduct free farm truck inspections March 26 and 27 at the east end Wildrose Co-op Cardlock bulk gas station (3611-47 Avenue). County Protection Service officers have begun preparation for the annual Farm Truck Check, which is hosted by Camrose County every spring. “Camrose County has invited officers from Commercial Vehicle Enforce-

ment department of Alberta Transportation to work alongside Camrose County officers,” said protective services manager Mike Kuzio. “The venue allows the inspections to be held away from Camrose County property.” Because this is a free farm truck check, no vehicles will be towed and no tickets are issued. Camrose County would like to encourage farmers and product haulers to take advantage of this inspection program in order to

avoid any on-highway problems in the future. Inspections will include critical safety items such as brakes, steering, lights, frames, fuel systems and drive shafts. Camrose County performs truck inspections on an annual basis, usually near the end of March or the beginning of April. To book an appointment, contact the Camrose County office at skelndorfer @county.camrose.ab.ca or phone 780-672-4449.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 24, 2020 – Page 4

April 1 to May 13, 2020 On Select Petro Canada Lubricants

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“It Makes Sense To Rent!” SIGN OF SPRING

3901-42 Avenue, Camrose

780-672-2572

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster So it begins, the onset of all the adorable spring babies. This little black and white two-day-old lamb born to the Rondeau family: Julie, Rob, Oliver and Tristan, epitomizes cute. The growing “lamb fam” welcomed two sets of twins and a set of triplets in two days, with 20 more pregnant ewes.

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By Murray Green

TH EV I

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT We now sell and install the LiftMaster line of gate openers.

Rough stock Rodeo to be held in spring

Choose from: • Electro-mechanical or Manual for opening and closing. • Functional, or Functional and Fancy!

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The Camrose Spring Classic Roughstock Rodeo will be holding an event April 24 and 25 at the Camrose Regional Exhibition. Instead of a full rodeo, it will have bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding events, but no timed events. The event is a scaled back version of previous rodeos, but will keep the western culture alive.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 24, 2020 – Page 5

Tax Season is Here! It’s Talk to us about: • Income splitting for seniors • The new climate action rebate • Your Canada training credit We’ll make it simple for you.

Lynn Kneeland

Mainstream Accounting 4704E-49 Avenue, Camrose | Fax 780.608.8714 Phone 780.608.8700

Office Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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County preparing for summer dust control By Murray Green

Camrose County is proceeding to hire a company to apply dust control on roads this summer. They will have Kortech Calcium Services to provide services for 2020. “I move that Camrose County council award the dust abatement contract to Kortech Calcium Services to provide calcium and dust abatement applications for various road locations throughout Camrose County for 2020, for the amount of $38,629.50 plus GST with funding to come from the 2020 operating

budget,” motioned councillor Doug Lyseng. Invitations to quote for the supply and application of calcium chloride solution were sent out Feb. 7. Three quotes were received for the 220,740 litre’s required to apply to the 59 locations within Camrose County. As part of the Request to Quote (RFQ), it is required that the Contractor supply Camrose County a complete chemical analysis of the material specifications, which includes the percentage of dust suppressant. Continued on page 6

309

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Stay connected this spring.

CAMROSE 3720B-48 Avenue Corner of Highways 13 & 26

Phone: 780-679-0822

Toll Free: 1-800-898-3336

Thank goodness for farmers All too often they are taken for granted. We want to salute the farmers, ranchers, growers, agri-business people and their families who have made our country a leading agricultural nation and who are contributing daily to our lives and our economy.

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fax 780-672-2518

4925-48 Street, Camrose, AB T4V 1L7 The most effective, most economical advertising medium in the Camrose area. The entire contents of THE CAMROSE BOOSTER and THE COUNTRY BOOSTER are protected by copyright and any unauthorized reproduction of it, in whole or in part, without consent in writing, is expressly prohibited.

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 24, 2020 – Page 6

Camrose County Seed Cleaning Plant Give your crop the best advantage by putting in clean and treated seed

NOTICE

TO TRUC KERS

Seed Treatment doesn’t cost. It pays! Time and again, it’s proven that seed treating can increase yields with only one or two percent increase in input costs. Seed treatment fights fusarium seed rot, seed blight, root rot and a host of seed borne diseases. It makes good sense. SEED TREATING IS FAST. Camrose County Seed Cleaning Plant can treat 2,000 bushels an hour.

We ask tha t you rema in in your c being serve ab while d, as we tr y to decrea number of se th We’re lookin visitors to our office e . g forward to having a c with you in offee the near fu ture. Camrose County Seed Cleaning Plant offers a state-of-the-art cleaning and treating facility that can accurately and efficiently treat your seed with any of the new water-based seed treatments.

FOR THE NEXT GENERATION IN SEED TREATMENT PRODUCTS SEE THE CAMROSE COUNTY SEED CLEANING PLANT For all your seed treatment needs contact the Camrose County Seed Cleaning Plant

780-672-2371

or online at Seed-plant@county.camrose.ab.ca

Dust control Continued from page 5

“The product that is applied to the road is a solution made up of water, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride and potassium chloride,” said Zach Mazure, public works manager. He requested that the solution be a minimum 32 per cent solution. The most important part of the brine are the active chlorides which are calcium and magnesium chloride. Active chlorides have hygroscopic properties meaning they extract moisture from the air and draw it into the road materials. The active chlorides are the component that reacts to inhibit evaporation, increase road bed moisture and keep fine particles compact. The higher concentration of calcium/magnesium chloride in the solution, the less volume of product required to apply to the road. “It is the opinion of public works that the Kortech product will perform to a standard that would be acceptable by the County at an acceptable cost,” added Mazure. The application will be made towards the end of May and the beginning of June with weather and site conditions permitting.

Agricultural Communications Committee 2020 Scholarship

1,000

SCHOLARSHIP

Eligibility Requirements:

• Students must be in Grade 10, 11 or 12 • Must be a resident of Camrose County • Previous Camrose County scholarship award winners are ineligible • Essay should be 1,000 to 1,500 words in length OR multi-media presentation should be 4 to 5 minutes in length Please reference people interviewed or research material used for your essay, video or power point presentation.

Selected Topics: Please select from one of the following:

1. How can agriculture feed the world? What is the importance of technology and biotechnology in food production? (ex. GMOs, cloning, drones, tissue culture, etc.) 2. Name the Agricultural Societies in Camrose County and discuss the impact Agricultural Societies have in our rural communities. 3. Compare the benefits of eating plantbased protein versus the benefits of animal-based protein.

Submit entries to:

Camrose County Essay Contest 4728-41 Street, Camrose AB T4V 0Z6 or email to: asb@county.camrose.ab.ca

The winner will be photographed for press releases and the essay, video, or power point Please include the following as part of presentation will be displayed on your submission: Full name, legal land the Camrose County description or hamlet address, phone number website. and high school being attended.

Deadline: April 30, 2020, 4:30 pm For more information: Doug Lyseng 780-672-7625 or Bettina van Nieuwkerk 780-672-4765

FARM TRUCK INSPECTIONS Camrose County Officers, in conjunction with Commercial Vehicle Enforcement and Wild Rose Co-op Cardlock will be conducting a

FREE Farm Truck Safety Inspection for Camrose County residents on

March 26th and 27th, 2020

for farm registered vehicles 4500 kgs and over GVW. Inspections will be conducted by appointment only at the Wild Rose Co-op Cardlock located at 3611 – 47 Avenue, south of the east end Fountain Tire. For further details or to make an appointment, please call Susan with Protective Services at, 780-672-4449 or email: skelndorfer@county.camrose.ab.ca Enter a draw for a door prize!

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 24, 2020 – Page 7

Residents against crime By Lori Larsen

Kingman area resident and small business owner Joel Hein has heeded the advice of police, by taking proactive steps in protecting his family and property against a rising amount of crime in the rural areas. Having had to pay visits to the Camrose RCMP detachment four times in the past six years to report stolen property, he has come to a somewhat unfortunate decision that he can no longer be as trusting as he once was as a rural resident. “Just recently, my work trailer containing all my tools was stolen from a worksite I was at,” said Joel, indicating that it is more than just the loss of money, but the inconvenience and the loss of being able to trust anyone. Joel has gone the extra mile to protect the family property by installing locking gates, which he ensures are closed and locked at all times, investing in costly guard dogs, removing keys from all vehicles and locking them as well.

rity App that will be available to all Camrose County residents in the early spring. “It is a great tool for residents to stay in touch and communicate any suspicious behaviour they see in their areas.” The Crowd Security App is an instantaneous form of communicating to other citizens and law enforcement within the designated area, crimes in progress or any suspicious activity, that may have otherwise taken a much longer time. The App has geo sensing capabilities that allows tracking of any suspicious activity. For more information on the Crowd Security App, email info@ crowdsecurity.ca. Joel added that rural crime watch organizations, such as Battle River Rural Crime Watch (BRRCW) are great for keeping residents connected and sharing information. Battle River Rural Crime Watch Society is a non-profit association comprised of rural mem-

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Locking up property is vital.

He said he now ensures everything around his property is secured and locked. “The good old days of leaving things wide open and not worrying about whether or not it was your neighbour who was coming down the lane are a thing of the past. Even when I finally go to bed at night, I catch myself getting back up to check and make sure the doors are all locked. I honestly don’t think I could sleep if I know the doors are unlocked.” While Joel doesn’t want to instill a sense of fear in others, he is a strong advocate of taking extra precautions. He encourages County residents to become even more connected with one another to create a community of solidarity against crime. “Communication is the key. We need to be talking to one another and watching out for each other.” Joel said it is important to know who your neighbours are and make a point of talking with each other about what is going on in the area. “Even if you can’t visit, there are ways of keeping in touch. Technology today allows us to do just that.” He referred to the free downloadable Crowd Secu-

bers that assist the Camrose and Bashaw RCMP detachments and Camrose County Protective Services in preventing and fighting crime. Through regular meetings throughout Camrose County, BRRCW shares information to help educate and train rural families, individuals and businesses on detecting, reporting and preventing suspicious activity and crime. For more information on Battle River Rural Crime Watch, visit the Facebook page or website at brrcws.com. Recognizing that rural law enforcement resources are limited, Joel does feel that a stronger presence of law enforcement in rural settings would have an effect on decreasing criminal element. “I often see the Camrose County Protective Services vehicles cruising around, but even more police presence, I feel, would be effective.” Curious about the new pilot program implemented by the RCMP, whereby Camrose detachment members are receiving backup from members of the Wetaskiwin detachment and the Camrose detachment members provide backup for Wetaskiwin

Lougheed Co-op Seed Cleaning Plant P.O. Box 123, Lougheed, AB, T0B 2V0 Manager: Jeremy Simpson, 780-386-3771, lscp@xplornet.com, lougheedprocessing.ca

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members, should the need arise, Joel took an opportunity to speak with Wetaskiwin RCMP Inspector Keith Durance. Joel said Inspector Durance explained the premise behind the pilot program and that it appears to be working. “The solution may not necessarily mean throwing more money at it,” said Joel. “We need communities coming together to be mindful of it.” Adding to Joel’s frustration of increased crime is the annoyance of having to put up with people feeling entitled to just trespass on private property whenever they want.

“One day my wife was walking our dogs on her father’s land and multiple unknown vehicles carrying hunters came barreling onto the land and sped around wildly, zooming in and out of stands of trees and bushes. We constantly worry about our three young children getting hit by a snowmobiler while playing in the front yard snow drifts by the fence where they like to build forts and tunnels.” Joel said he has no problem with someone requesting permission to be on private property, but said the courteous thing to do is to make sure they

approach the landowners at the time they do want to come on the property, to ensure that it is okay. Whether crossing over a person’s private property, hunting or hiking on the property, it is the law to request permission first. “We should be able to trust people,” concluded Joel. “Unfortunately, we feel we have no choice now but to implement extra security precautions. We used to drive by those houses where the gates were always closed and we’d refer to them as ‘those people’. Now we are ‘those people’.”

The IT Factor for Hosting Agricultural Events We’ve been told we have the IT Factor when it comes to hosting Agricultural Events. After all, IT’s been happening here for over a century. If you’re looking for the perfect venue to host your next ag event, be sure to contact us.

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17/03/2020 3:33:30 PM

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 24, 2020 – Page 8

Win a photograph of your farm!

Insurance is like a fire extinguisher

You’re never sure it works until the time comes to use it. To be ready for an emergency, a fire extinguisher must be recharged and kept close at hand. Your insurance, too, should be constantly updated and prepared. The insurance experts at Central Agencies are ready to help you prepare. We offer a complete line of auto, home, farm, life and property coverage, backed by the strength of stable and committed insurance carriers. Call us today. We’ll make sure you’re ready for whatever the future brings.

CENTRAL AGENCIES INC. 4870-51 Street, Camrose Phone 780-672-4491 Edm. Direct 780-429-0909

Discover the benefits of Co-op membership! • Is owned by its members. • Stocks a full range of quality products, including our popular Country Morning meats and Harmonie and Co-op brand items.

• Has knowledgeable, friendly staff available to assist you with product and service information. • Offers a hassle-free guarantee. • Supports the community.

The more you use your Co-op membership, the more you benefit. Sign up for membership today! Be an owner … become a Co-op member!

If this is your farm… YOU’RE A WINNER!

You’re at home here.

Wild Rose Co-op Locations in Camrose, Killam, Sedgewick, Viking, Galahad, Alliance and Hardisty

The farm appearing in this photograph is located in the Camrose trading area. If you recognize it as yours, come to the Camrose Booster, 4925-48 Street, Camrose. You will be presented with a free 8” x 10” color enlargement of the photo.

• This week’s prize must be claimed by April 14, 2020. • This week’s Mystery Farm is sponsored by the businesses on this page.

Rural Services