First year 4-H members may be eligible to have fees waived
Kari Janzen Staff Reporter
This year, for kids who are interested in joining their local 4-H club, memberships can be paid for in full by local Alberta Co-ops, including Wild Rose Co-op.
“We are thrilled to announce that 4-H Alberta has partnered for a second year in a row with Federated Co-operatives Limited as a generous sponsor of the new CO-OP Growing Leaders program, an exciting initiative that will fund new 4-H Alberta members,” the 4-H Alberta website says.
“Each of these 13 Co-op locations will be supporting 4-H Alberta by funding new member registration fees for firstyear members (to a maximum of $200) and up to 50 per cent (to a maximum of $100) for second-year returning CO-OP Growing Leader Member applicants,” the website says.
An online application must be completed and submitted in order to receive funding, though an application does not guarantee approval.
“Funding will be provided on a firstcome, first-serve basis. All information entered in the application will be confirmed with the local club and Co-op. Applying for funding does not guarantee that you
will be approved,” the website says.
Last year, the first year of this partnership, 209 new members joined 4-H through this program.
“The innovative and ground-breaking program is designed to remove barriers and provide easy access for youth who may have been curious about 4-H Alberta, but have never enrolled in a local club. During the inaugural rollout in the 2023/2024 club year, 209 members joined through the CO-OP Growing Leaders Program,” the website says.
The deadline to apply for funding is December 15, though clubs register new members in October.
4-H Alberta CEO Kurt Kinnear said this program is helping bring up the future leaders in our communities.
“We were thrilled to see so much success during the CO-OP Growing Leaders Program’s pilot year and are proud to continue this partnership. This ‘out of the box’ initiative has helped 209 new members experience the 4-H Alberta youth program, giving them an opportunity to grow their leadership and life skills, make lifelong friends, and have a lot of fun in the process. “Federated Co operatives Ltd. and the participating Co-ops understand and appreciate the importance of our young members who
will become the future leaders in our communities,” Kinnear said.
4-H began in Alberta in 1917 and continues to work towards their mission of inspiring, mentoring, and empowering youth to create positive change in communities through effective leadership.
Requirements for 4-H kids include practicing communication through public speaking, participating in community service activities, showcasing what they’ve learned at annual achievement days, keeping careful record of what they do and learn in their specific project, and demonstrating participation in 70 per cent of all club activities.
Member projects vary and can include raising animals such as cattle, sheep, chickens, goats, bees, horses, as well as other projects like photography, archery, interior decorating, sewing, small engines, and everything in between. As Tofield Beef and Multi Club president Sierre Spruyt said in an update to the Tofield Chamber of Commerce, although members may want to add another project to the club, a leader is necessary to carry it out.
“There can be a struggle in finding someone to lead that group. If people
have ideas of new projects, they need to come with somebody that is willing to lead that, because somebody who's well versed in beef may not know much about chickens,” she said.
4-H Alberta is also able to offer financial assistance to families who may not be able to join 4-H due to financial restriction, also with an application deadline of December 15.
“In 2022, 4-H Alberta launched its first financial assistance pilot program. Due to the high demand on the program and thanks to the generosity of our community, the McCall MacBain Foundation, as well as UFA, we will once again be offering the Financial Assistance Program for the 2024/2025 Club year and will be able to increase the funding available for up to four times the number of youth from 2022,” the website says.
“Any member who may be considering to opt out of 4-H Alberta or may not be in a financial position to join the 4-H Alberta program due to financial constraints or limited financial resources are strongly encouraged to apply by completing this application,” the website says.
$2,000 goal for local MK5K fundraiser held at Hastings Lake
BY KARI JANZEN
Sonya Martens of Hastings Lake organized and participated in her first year of the nationwide 23rd annual Mary Kay 5K with nine others on Saturday, September 21.
Martens lives right on Hastings Lake, and walks the shore often.
“I live right on the lakefront here, so I walk that all the time,” she said.
An independent sales director with Mary Kay for 12 years, Martens said their group’s personal fundraising goal is $2,000.
“I can still collect until September 30, and we're only $260 away. I've got Lamont and Tofield markets this week, so I'm more than confident that we're going to surpass the goal,” she said.
The funds raised from the MK5K goes to the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation which supports women living with cancer and women who experience domestic violence.
“The Foundation’s mission is to support women living with cancer through our Look Good Feel Better program and to help women experiencing domestic violence by providing grants to women's shelters and community outreach programs across the nation,” their website says.
"We felt honoured to walk for our friends and family who have fought and beat cancer, and for the ones who sadly passed from the disease. We hope that with further research it can continue to help the ones we love to beat it in the future," participants Nicole Renneberg and her mother Judy Seib said.
One of Marten’s neighbours who is currently battling cancer joined the 5K, and Martens said another neighbour was grateful that they walked in her daughter’s memory.
“Two of my neighbours are currently battling cancer and Joanne actually was able to do the walk with us.
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Ten people participated in the Mary Kay 5K by Hastings Lake on September 21, raising money for women living with cancer and women who experience domestic violence. Pictured L-R: Nicole Renneberg, Joanne McIntosh, Judy Seib, Nancy Digdon, Debra Teichgraber, Sonya Martens. Missing from photo: Jenaya Munro and her son, Rick Martens, Lisa Kuflay. PHOTO LISA KUFLAY
Tofield acting commander says RCMP app not being utilized
Kari Janzen Staff Reporter
In 2022, the Alberta Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officially launched an app, called Alberta RCMP, for both iOS and Android devices in which Albertans are able to receive updates, report crime, access mental health supports, and more. New acting commander for the Tofield detachment Cst. Steve Genereaux said the app is not being utilized.
“We have an online police reporting tool which isn't being utilized, and I'm not sure why. I think it may be because nobody knows about it. We have the ability for members of the community to make reports online. In cases where they’ve made a call and they're being put on hold, they can use the online tool, and it still goes to the same place,” he said.
Cst. Genereaux said there are different levels of priority for calls that members need to address, and using the app can help manage the less urgent calls.
“In terms of files, we have some files that are urgent, super important, and we have other files that are (less so). We
have a dedicated unit that actually investigates those files and allows the local members more time to spend on drug investigations, theft investigations, those higher priority items, and gives them a bit of breathing room. Instead of having the members go out and do every single file, we have a dedicated unit that can do these investigations.
“I'm looking into why it isn't being utilized, and I don't have an answer yet, but I think it's a great tool, because it allows people to report from home without having to drive all the way into the detachment, while still getting the same level of service that they've always gotten and it also frees up our members to be able to go out and do proactive controls,” Cst. Genereaux said.
The app also provides news, detachment locations, crime mapping and statistics.
“Developing the app allows the Alberta RCMP to provide the public with online access to news, crime reporting, detachment locations, crime mapping and statistics,and a map for initiatives like Project Lock Up. The app also provides access to partner law enforcement services, mental health supports, Crime Stoppers
and links to Alberta RCMP social media accounts,” the RCMP website says.
Superintendent Peter Tewfik, officer in charge of Alberta RCMP’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Branch says the app is an efficient tool to relay information to the public and for residents to report crime.
"An app is an easy way for the public to stay connected and report crime to the police along with gaining quick and easy access to Alberta RCMP news and information. The app provides the public with an option for digital accessibility that is convenient and centralized,” he said.
Alberta RCMP clarified that the app will not replace other tools of reporting crime or finding information.
“Even though the app provides convenient links to Alberta RCMP social media accounts, this app will not replace the existing website, social media feeds, or other sources for information. The tool also will not replace other methods of crime reporting, engagement, or emergency assistance. Citizens should remember that social media posts or use of other third-party crime apps are not appropriate ways to report
a crime,” the website says.
Alberta RCMP reminds people to phone 911 in emergencies and to file a report online through the app or call the local RCMP detachment for non-emergencies.
“For emergencies, or if you see a crime in progress, phone 911. For nonemergency property crimes, you can file your report online through the Alberta RCMP app, or contact your nearest RCMP detachment. If you have informationabout a crime and wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the ‘P3 Tips’ app. For scams and fraud, contact your local detachment and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca,” the website says.
Alberta RCMP also clarified that the app does not track or monitor users.
“In full compliance with Canadian privacy laws for mobile apps by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta, the Alberta RCMP app will not track or monitor users in any way,” the website says.
Cardiovascular exercise can provide brain health benefit
Three seconds go by in a flash, but that’s enough time for another person to join the masses already diagnosed with dementia.
According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia, a condition that more than 55 million people were living with in 2020. The World Health Organization notes that various diseases and injuries that affect the brain can contribute to dementia.
As menacing a threat as dementia presents, individuals are not helpless against it. In fact, exercise, which can help lower risk for heart disease, stroke and various other conditions, can be a valuable ally against dementia as well.
What is the link between exercise and dementia? Dementia remains something of a mystery, but the Alzheimer’s Society notes that evidence is now strong enough to support the assertion that lack of physical exercise increases a person’s risk of developing dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Society also notes that researchers have discovered improvements in thinking and memory and reduced rates of dementia among middle-aged and older adults who exercised compared to those that did not. Is cardio the most effective exercise at
lowering dementia risk?
Speaking with CNBC, Silky Singh Pahlajani, a clinical professor of behavioural neurology and neuropsychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine, noted that cardiovascular exercise, often referred to as cardio, can provide the biggest benefit for brain health of any form of exercise. Cardiovascular exercise can increase heart rate, which helps deliver oxygen cells to the brain.
The National Institutes of Health notes that oxygen shortages prevent the brain from working as well as it should, and a 2023 study published in the journal Redox Biology found that oxygen abnormality plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
How should aging adults approach exercise if they have been largely sedentary? Middle-aged and older adults who have not been physically active throughout their adult life but want to begin incorporating exercise into their daily routines are urged to speak with their physicians prior to beginning a fitness regimen. Preexisting conditions may make it difficult, if not impossible, to engage in certain forms of exercise.
A personal physician can consider a patient’s unique medical history and
then recommend certain exercises that won’t put him or her in jeopardy of suffering an injury or illness.
A gradual approach to exercising is typically best for individuals who have lived a sedentary lifestyle. Starting off slowly with a short walk or light physical activity like gardening can help the body acclimate to physical activity at a safe pace.
As adults bodies’ become more accustomed to exercise, men and women can then gradually increase the intensity of their workouts, switching from walking to jogging on a treadmill when possible.
Honey testing to begin at National Bee Diagnostic Centre
Jesse Boily Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The National Bee Diagnostic Centre (NBDC) in Beaverlodge is receiving funding to develop sugar and botanical testing services with the hope to increase the sales of Canadian honey in national and international markets.
Northwestern Polytechnic will receive more than $390,000 to create a Canadian honey authentication system.
“Not only will we be testing for quality, we will also be able to identify plant compounds in the honey that may have additional health benefits,” said Patricia Wolf Veiga, NBDC manager.
“Quality testing could create a distinctive Canadian brand similar to that of New Zealand’s Manuka
honey, marketed as an upscale product with higher levels of antimicrobials and antioxidants.”
The announcement of new funds comes from the federal government’s PrairiesCan $15.6 million investment in Alberta to increase access to equipment and testing facilities.
“This is all about ensuring Alberta businesses have what they need to innovate from start to finish in order to compete within Canada and around the world,” said Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan.
“Our government’s support for these projects is building on Alberta’s solid track record of commercializing innovative products, services and technologies in key sectors of our economy while supporting quality jobs in communities across the province.”
Canada’s honey crop was valued at $278 million in 2021, NBDC said in a statement to the News.
It noted that fake or adulterated honey entering the Canadian market has been an issue for decades, and that honey is one of the top three counterfeit foods in the world.
“Fraudulent honey impacts beekeeping in Canada by driving honey prices down and adding to issues already faced by the industry, such as bee mortality,” said NBDC.
“The testing of honey quality monitors for a fraudulent product that enters the Canadian market, but also protects the reputation of Canadian honey worldwide.”
The NBDC will test honey using High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), which “will determine the sugar spectrum in honey samples and identify botanical compounds that may be responsible for additional health benefits.”
beets,” said NBDC, noting that the influx of these products is hurting Canada’s sale to the United States, its biggest market.
“We are appreciative of PrairiesCan’s investment to advance sugar and botanical testing services at the NBDC,” said Sivagowry Lewis, NWP Dean of Applied Research and Innovation.
“In addition to honey, this funding will allow for diversification to include the testing of other agricultural products.”
The initiative is expected to grow the capacity of the NBDC, and it will then be able to offer similar services to other agricultural products in the future.
NWP said it expects to begin testing early next year but is waiting on equipment arrival, the creation of protocols, and the hiring of staff.
“The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has tested both domestic and imported honey since 2018 and found that 25 per cent of the imported samples had been cut with sugars such as corn syrup, rice and
Harvest recipe: layered no-bake pumpkin cheesecake
When fall comes around, there’s no lack of pumpkin spice offerings, but if you’re looking for a light and easy fall dessert, this no-bake layered pumpkin cheesecake will hit the spot.
While the receipe calls for cool whip, heavy whipped cream can be used, and is especially great if you sweeten it with a touch of maple syrup and vanilla.
For this recipe you’ll need an 8” x *8 pan, or a 9”x9” will also work, but you might get one extra layer in the smaller pan.
Ingredients:
1 (15oz or 398ml) can Pumpkin Puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 oz package of cream cheese (brought to room temperature)
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1 t pumpkin pie spice
1 16 oz container Cool Whip (or 2c heavy whipped cream)
1 box graham wafers (any brand)
With a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the pumpkin puree and cream cheese until it’s light and fluffy.
Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice to the mixture. Fold in the Cool Whip carefully to keep the mixture light and airy.
In the ungreased pan, cover the entire pan with a layer of graham crackers, breaking or cutting them to fill the pan.
Spread about 1/4 of the pumpkin mixture at the bottom of the pan.
Repeat the layers until you’re left with the last layer of pumpkin mixture at the top.
Refrigerate for at least six hours, or overnight. This part is important to give the crackers time to soften into a cake-like consistency!
Toppings: For a topping you can use finely crushed graham wafers, or your choice of ground nuts.
Before serving, add another dollop of whipped topping and even a caramel or chocolate drizzle to dress it up.
Sandhill Cranes
the typical V-pattern, heading South in the early legs for their winter migration. This photo from southern Lamont County. Below a coyote living in Elk Island National Park. Crystal
MK5K
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Nola lost her daughter Amber to cancer, and she and her family from South Carolina were grateful to us for walking in her memory,” Martens said.
Martens said her sisterin-law went through the Look Good Feel Better program and she said the difference was amazing.
“The program is for those who are living with the effects of cancer and my sister-in-law was living with me at the time she went through that program. They give them a whole box of cosmetics, and they get to have a makeover up at the Cross Cancer Institute, and when they come out of there, it's like night and day how they look, and they get to take home all those products that they used.
"I am grateful for all of the donations and especially to many at the Lamont and Tofield markets for supporting this great cause. Together we are making a difference in many communities,” she said.
Volunteers work together to put together both take out and eat in orders at the Andrew Harvest Perogy supper.
Harvest perogy supper
held at Andrew
BY MELISSA MACINTOSH-YOUNG
On Sunday September 22nd the Andrew Community Centre was filled with the smell of butter and onions as residents gathered for the much anticipated Harvest Perogy Supper.
Hosted by the Andrew Community Centre Association, the event drew a large crowd, offering a break from the busy harvest season with an eat-in or take-out option. The delicious meal included perogies, sausages, vegetables, coleslaw, and a tasty dessert. Volunteers worked together to fill take-out orders, serve food and clear tables.
In addition to being a great meal, the Harvest Perogy Supper also served as a fundraiser.
Tammy Pickett, ACCA president, stated that the current ACCA was newly formed this year.
She said that the ACCA consists of four
mk98ltd@gmail.com
members; herself, Judy Rodomsky, Bree Kelly, Hannah O’Connor along with dedicated volunteers Annalee Laderoute, Cassie Ostashek and Marty Stuart. Pickett shared that the Community Centre had not been used in some time and is in need of a few repairs. The association is currently working towards raising funds for repairs such as a new roof and upgrades to the bar area. The group has also been hosting Bingo games every second Tuesday and is available for birthday party rentals.
This supper was not just about a break from the busy Harvest Season, but a way to strengthen bonds within the community. All those in attendance left with a full stomach, a warm heart, smiles on their faces, already looking forward to next year's supper.
This combine is hard at work in the north west end of Beaver County.
LISA KUFLAY PHOTO A grain cart empties into the waiting grain trailer during the harvest season in mid-September.
KARI JANZEN PHOTO
Lee Harding Troy Media
The fall harvest is in the storehouse, and it’s time to put away all proposals to cap fertilizer use in the name of saving the planet.
The Saskatoon-based Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) conducted a comprehensive analysis of carbon emissions across Saskatchewan, Western Canada, Canada, and among international peers. Its study examined emissions from transportation, seed production, fertilizer and manure use, crop inputs, field activities, energy consumption, and post-harvest processes.
The studies, published last year, had very reassuring results. Canadian crop production was less carbon intensive than other places, and Western Canada was a little better yet. This proved true crop by crop.
In other words, Canadian farmers are focused on ensuring food security, not causing the droughts, fires, or storms that critics unfairly blame on them.
Carbon emissions per tonne of canola production were more than twice as high in France and Germany as in Canada. Australia was slightly less carbon intensive than Canada but still trailed Western Canada.
For non-durum wheat, Canada blew Australia, France, Germany, and the U.S. away with roughly half the carbon intensity of those countries. The U.S. had twice the carbon intensity for durum wheat as Canada, and Italy almost five times as much.
Canada performed exceptionally well in lentil production. Australian producers had 5.5 times the carbon emissions per tonne compared to Canada, while U.S. producers had eight times as much. In some parts of Canada, lentil production even acted as a net carbon sink, absorbing more carbon than it emitted. Canadian field peas produce one-tenth of the carbon emissions per tonne as found in Germany and onesixth that of France or the United States.
According to GIFS,
Canada excels in agriculture through practices such as “regenerative agriculture, including minimal soil disturbance, robust crop rotation, covering the land, integrating livestock and the effective management of crop inputs.”
The adoption of zero-till farming is especially important. Zero-till farming is an agricultural practice where the soil is left undisturbed by avoiding plowing or tilling, which helps retain nutrients, moisture, and greenhouse gases in the soil.
Western Canada has been especially keen to adopt the zero-till approach, unlike the United States, where only 30 percent of cropland is zero-till.
The adoption of optimal methods has already reduced Canadian carbon emissions substantially. Despite this progress, some net zero advocates are pushing to reduce carbon emissions from fertilizer use by 30 percent, similar to cuts being proposed in other sectors.
This target is unfair to Canadian agriculture, as the industry has already made
significant progress in reducing emissions. Nitrates are essential for crop growth, so farmers are already highly motivated to keep them in the soil rather than losing them to the atmosphere, regardless of concerns about global warming. Fewer nitrates would lead to lower yields and decreased protein content in crops.
Farmers are already motivated by their personal and economic interests to use fertilizer as efficiently as possible. While universal adoption of optimal tech-
niques might reduce emissions slightly, Canada is so far ahead in this game that a hard cap on fertilizer emissions could only be detrimental.
In 2021, Fertilizer Canada commissioned a study by MNP to estimate the costs of a 20 per cent drop in fertilizer use to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in emissions.
The study suggested that by 2030, bushels of production per acre would drop significantly for canola (23.6), corn (67.9), and spring wheat (36.1). By 2030,
the annual value of lost production for those crops alone would reach $10.4 billion.
If every animal and human in Canada died, leaving the country an unused wasteland, the drop in world greenhouse gas emissions would be only 1.4 percent. Any talk of reducing capping fertilizer inputs for the greater good is nonsense.
Public Policy. © Troy Media
Lee Harding is a Research Fellow for the Frontier Centre for
Heather Cameron Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Kevin Chanut, AFSC Vice President Lending with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC), says that Succession Planning is a longterm strategy to ensure there’s a plan in place for a farm’s future and typically involves the transfer of the operation from one
generation to another.
“A farm succession plan is a comprehensive plan to intentionally transition a farm operation from one ownership to another over time,” said Chanut. “It needs to consider the needs and perspectives of all parties, will involve detailed preparation to ensure a smooth transition. Each plan will be unique to your own operations, one of the best
ways to design a successful plan is to start planning early and work together openly throughout the process. It begins with gathering information about the business and the people involved and then working with various advisors to ensure the succession goes smoothly. AFSC does not specialize in farm succession planning, but we work with clients and their team of advisors
to support the planning process.”
A good succession plan, Chanut says, is much more than good tax planning; it will be a written document that includes a three-to-five-year business plan, an understanding of the timeline for transition of ownership, a communication plan this includes an outline for how decision is made during the Continued on Fall Page 18
LARGE SUNFLOWER GROWN IN LAMONT COUNTY
20 suggestions for fall maintenance before the snow falls
1) Clean your gutters.
2) Check smoke detectors.
3) Bleed any water radiators.
4) Clear steam radiator vents.
5) Aerate the soil.
6) Store anything that can’t handle cold temperatures.
7) Water your lawn in the fall.
8) Keep window wells clean.
9) Fertilize your lawn in the fall.
10) Straighten your gutters to prepare for ice.
11) Clean gutter spouts.
12) Cut your grass short.
13) Winterize your sprinkler system.
14) Drain your garden hoses, disconnect and put away.
15) Make sure your chimney is clean.
16) Winterize your gas grill.
17) Store lawn chairs.
18) Change your furnace filters.
19) Update your winter driving kit.
20) Prepare your property for snow.
Joanna Overbo stands beside a massive sunflower she grew. She said most were blown over in a wind storm but this giant survived somehow. Submitted photo.
transition, and potentially a training plan to ensure appropriate knowledge transfer. Additional topics often covered in a farm succession plan, Chanut says, include individual needs assessments, financing requirements, life and estate planning, organizational structures and legal considerations.
“The toughest part of the process is often starting the conversation within the family and resistance to talking about the need and benefit to having a plan for your farm to continue as you look beyond present ownership and decision making to the future and the next generation of ownership. Sometimes it is necessary to bring in experts that can facilitate conversation and help the family as they work through all the necessary pieces of the plan. In working with a succession specialist, the process often begins with gathering information and then working with various advisors such as lenders, lawyers and accountants to prepare a plan that meets the needs of those involved. Farm succession plans should be regularly reviewed to account for changes. All family members involved in the transition and current and future owners should be part of the transition, and it will be necessary to have both legal and accounting experts who support the plan.”
Chanut emphasizes that it may also be necessary to have a Farm Transition Expert who can facilitate the plan and assist to ensure effective communication takes place to set the plan up for success. Chanut says there are also many online resources available, many accounting firms and solicitors focus on succession planning, and there are many individuals that offer succession planning facilitation services.
“You can look for opportunities to attend workshops and seminars put on by industry partners who recognize the importance of succession planning in setting up future generations to be successful such as the upcoming Bridging the Gap workshops hosted by Farm Management Canada, MNP and AFSC,” said Chanut. “Agriculture Financial Services (AFSC) is proud to partner with Farm Management Canada and MNP to present a series of Bridging the
Gap: Farm Transition Workshops. These one-day workshops are designed to help farm families successfully transition their operations from one generation to the next.”
Chanut says that the workshops will be held on October 19 at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede in Medicine Hat; November 12 at the Red Deer Resort and Casino in Red Deer; and March 5, 2025 at Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
“These workshops engage multiple generations of farm families in meaningful discussions about planning, communication, and navigating the complexities of farm transition,” said Chanut. “Attendees will walk away with valuable resources, tools, and strategies to ensure the future success of their farms.”
AFSC, Chanut says, is proud to be able to assist producers as they start, establish, and expand their farm operations through the organization’s risk management and loan programs.
“Our programs and our agricultural industry specialists provide AFSC with an opportunity to support the next generation producers directly, and we recognize the benefit of providing existing and incoming generations with the opportunity and access to professional advice and assistance when it comes to succession planning,” said Chanut. “While we do not recommend any specific transition experts, accounting firms, or solicitors, we do highlight the importance of having professional assistance as part of a succession plan. Having an intentional and well thought out suc-
cession plan can support family relations, support the sustainment and growth of a farm business, and can optimize tax planning. It is all about looking to the future, working together to establish open communication throughout, understanding each other’s goals, setting a timeline for change to take place, and ensuring appropriate financial planning for the transition.”
One of the programs that AFSC offers, Chanut says, is The Next Generation Loan program, which provides new entrants and young agricultural producers with a consistent source of fixedrate term loans to establish their own operations.
“For those looking to start farming, join or take over the family farm, we offer loan terms and interest rates that are hard to beat. Not only do we offer a great in-
terest rate upfront, but we also offer a one percent interest rate reduction for up to five years on the first term of the loan,” said Chanut.
Beginning this month, Chanut says, the interest rate incentive is increasing to up to $1.5 million lifetime loan principal balance for each qualifying individual from the previous $1 million limit, and the required percentage of Next Generation ownership in a farming company needed to qualify for the Next Generation Loan is dropping to 20 per cent down from 25 per cent.
“Agriculture and farming are more complicated and require greater capital investment than ever,” said Chanut. “Without appropriate planning and support throughout a farm transition, there is a greater risk that any mistakes made could jeopardize the operation’s viability. To support and sustain the agricultural industry, it is vitally important that future generations are brought into the industry and are set up for success. A succession plan isn’t
something that is crossed off the to-do list. It is often a gradual process involving a sequencing of events. For instance, the incoming generation may purchase a quarter of land as a starting point, or they may buy into the business as a formal shareholder. Once a succession plan is in place, it is important to ensure you take advantage of risk management programs and find financing partners that best assist your operation and understand you, your operation, and the industry. AFSC is happy that we can provide relevant risk management and loan programs provided by team members that are knowledgeable and passionate about supporting agriculture and our clients. A farm succession plan is an investment into the business that will yield results for years to come. Far too often, farm operations fail because intentional planning did not occur. Being intentional and treating succession planning with importance is critical to the longterm success of a farming operation.”
A herd of cattle in a pasture stand by the fence on a cool September evening. KARI JANZEN PHOTOS
A farmer bales his hay while the sun shines in early September.
How to prepare for inclement weather
Kari Janzen Staff Reporter
As the winter months approach, it is good to consider how to be prepared for Alberta weather and have a plan when facing blizzards, freezing rain, ice storms, and extreme cold.
The government of Alberta says a blizzard warning will be issued when falling or blowing snow reaches speeds of at least 40 km/h with visibility reduced to 400 metres or less, with the expectation that the blizzard will last four hours or longer. If possible, it is suggested to avoid any travel during a blizzard.
“Avoid driving and wait several hours after the storm ends before going anywhere. If you have to drive, check Alberta 511 for current road conditions, travel during daytime hours, make sure you have a wellstocked vehicle emergency kit, and use the buddy system so someone knows where you are going and when you expect to get there,” the provincial website says.
An emergency kit for your vehicle is suggested
to include a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, a blanket, a road map and compass, extra clothing and footwear, paper towel or rags, sand, road salt, flashlight with extra batteries, emergency food that won’t spoil (granola bars, nuts, or chocolate), an ice scraper and snow brush, a cell phone, a candle in deep tin, waterproof matches, a shovel, and booster cables.
During a blizzard it is also recommended to remain inside.
“If possible, avoid going outdoors. If you have to go outdoors, make sure you dress for the weather. If you live in a rural area, string guidelines between your house and any other buildings you might have to get to during the storm,” the website says.
If you end up on the side of the road during a blizzard, it is suggested to run the engine intermittently to stay warm, but also crack the window open to allow fresh air inside the vehicle.
“If you are stuck in your vehicle remain calm, stay inside and call for help. Occasionally run the engine to stay
warm, but beware of exhaust fumes and make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked with snow. Also allow fresh air in by opening the window slightly on the sheltered side away from the wind,” the website says.
The guidelines for freezing rain and ice storms are similar to precautions during a blizzard, with the addition of being aware of the slippery surfaces. An ice storm is defined as large amounts of freezing rain that continues for several hours and can include wind, ice fog, and cold temperatures.
“Ice from freezing rain can build up on any surface making sidewalks
and pathways dangerous for falls and slips. Pay close attention to large sheets of ice on buildings, tree branches and power lines, which could fall unexpectedly,” the website says.
During extremely cold temperatures when the reading on the thermometer can dip below -40C, the province reminds individuals that if they are workingoutside, it is important not to be overexerted.
“Dress in warm, windproof layers. Watch for signs of frostbite, which can occur in less than 10 minutes in extreme cold. When working outside, do not over exert yourself. Sweating can lead to hypothermia, which can be fatal,” the website says.
Kosolowsky
Brett McKay
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The recent reduction in caseworker positions in Alberta's Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) program will likely affect hundreds of families and add to what advocates say is an “exceedingly long” waitlist to access supports.
Disabled children and families in Alberta are facing wait times of over two years to get an individualized contract with a caseworker, says Keltie Marshall, parent and cofounder of Hold My Hand Alberta, an advocacy initiative that supports disabled children and their families. These delays make getting appropriate early intervention care for children with disabilities almost impossible, Marshall said.
“Children don't have two years to wait to access the therapies that they need. Would we tell a diabetic child, sorry, you have to wait two years for your insulin. No, we wouldn't. And so why are we telling autistic kids, sorry, you have to wait two years for your speech therapy and your occupational therapy?”
Marshall said in the last 18 months, her family has had six different caseworkers, and she is concerned that the province’s decision to not renew the contracts of several caseworkers will make it harder for remaining employees to provide the supports families need.
“We have spoken directly with one caseworker who currently has over 400 families on her caseload. The standard is 100,” she said. “No wonder families can't ever reach their caseworker.”
The Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services (SCSS) acknowledged that there were staff cutbacks in the FSCD program, but said this would not impact access to services.
“The Family Support for Children with Disabilities program funding has not changed, and families can continue to access services in their agreements. Seniors, Community and Social Services reviews its recruitment needs on an ongoing basis to ensure staffing levels are stable and consistent across the province. As part of this process, seven temporary contracted disability services workers were notified that their contracts will not be extended once they expire,” Sherene Khaw, spokesperson for the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services, said in an email.
“The end of these contracts will not affect families’ ability to access services that are part of their agreements. We continue to work closely with families to make sure their needs are supported.”
Families already in the queue for supports say FSCD acknowledges there are major delays, but they struggle to get any detailed updates about their file from the program.
An automatic reply email sent from the provincial family support service team to a service applicant, which was posted to social media by Hold My Hand co-founder Sarah
Doll, states: “For families contacting the program to inquire about when their file will be assigned to a caseworker, please note that there are currently delays in caseworker assignment, and we cannot provide any timelines at this time.”
Doll is no longer with Hold My Hand Alberta. Khaw said SCSS "routinely monitors caseloads and staffing on an ongoing basis to ensure a balanced workload province-wide. Caseloads across the province can vary due to multiple factors."
The issues with FSCD are one of many facing families of children with disabilities in Alberta, Marshall said. “We're also, right now, trying to fight an education system that is so underfunded that our kids are not safe at school. All of these things add a brick to your backpack.”
Marshall said advocates want to see better collaboration between ministries to create child-centred teams and funding increases that would help children “be their best.”
“We can't go across Canada and say, ‘Alberta is calling –but leave your disabled kids at home.’”
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(NC) As your kids get older, it’s inevitable that they will begin to use social media and other online tools away from the home and your immediate oversight.
So, it’s important that you teach them some basic cyber-safety tips. Here are three things that every child who’s online should know.
count. Passwords should have at least 12 characters and a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Passphrases have a minimum of 15 characters and use a mix of words strung together that are easy to remember but are nearly impossible for someone else to guess.
or set up automatic updates. You should also turn off any features in applications your children don’t need to use, which could expose their personal information, including cameras, microphones and location trackers.
Protect their privacy
Use tech wisely
If you’re in charge of your children’s devices, be sure to regularly install all software updates
Show older kids how to install and automate updates and turn off those potentially privacy-invading features when they don’t need them. Find more cyber safety tips at getcybersafe.ca.
Teach children never to share personal information online, like their home address or school name, and ensure that those details are never visible in the background of images that they post.
Teach password safety
Explain to your kids the importance of using unique, hard-to-guess passwords or passphrases for every game, app or website ac-
