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Two Hills Ag Society Hosts Agri-Day & Trade Show
Two Hills Ag Society Hosts Agri-Day & Trade Show
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
The annual Agri-Day & Trade Show proved to be another success for the Two Hills Ag Society as hundreds of people flocked to the different venues to enjoy a variety of activities.
There were kids’ activities, agricultural and horticultural presentations, a trade show featuring 45 vendors and community market with 35 vendors who showcased a variety of handmade and handcrafted items for sale.
One of the trade show vendors was ALUS. ALUS was born from the recognition that farmers are not only in the business of producing food and fibre, but also ecosystem goods and services that deliver valuable, tangible benefits to Canadians. Kitchen table conversations with farmers and community members about the shortcomings of traditional approaches to farm-based conservation motivated farmer Ian Wishart (then President, Keystone Agricultural Producers) to think up a new approach to conservation. This new approach was called Alternative Land Use Services or ALUS.
A total of 38 communities across Canada are helping farmers and ranchers build and actively manage nature-based projects to address local agricultural and environmental challenges and help solve the crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.
Coordinator of ALUS Two Hills, Roxy Zahara, said the program began in 2020 and it is run by a Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC) which includes representation from County of Two Hills Reeve Murray Phillips and Div. 4 Councillor Sebastien Dutrisac. Community stakeholders and other non-government organizations can also be PAC members which allows each community program to address specific local environmental challenges and collaborate towards implementing sustainable solutions.
Zahara said ALUS helps producers establish wetlands, tree planting, eco-buffers, erosion control, pollinator habit, watering systems and management fencing for livestock to name a few. Two Hills ALUS has also partnered with New Myrnam School and have a demonstration site adjacent to Secondary Highway 45 and Secondary Highway 881. “We partnered to plant 300 trees and will be adding more vegetation near the dug out this year,” added Zahara.
“We have 53 acres enrolled in the program with approximately 160 acres coming this year,” stated Zahara. “More and more farmers are looking at drought mitigation and more are enrolling in the grazing forward program.
More than 1,600 farmers and ranchers participate in the ALUS program in Canada. They create, restore and enhance nature on their lands to help build community resilience. One of those farmers is Melvin Kohlman, who owns a quarter section of land with his wife Joanne near Musidora.
Kohlman said the application was very easy and likes the fact there are no land restrictions and participant data is not shared. Additionally, farmers receive a fee-for-service based on ecosystem services produced by projects. An arrangement is based on mutual benefit. As well, Kohlman said you can opt out of the program at any time.
He has participate in the grazing forward program with 10 head of cattle on 10 acres of land and said there was a noticeable difference in his operation. He is also looking forward to expanding his tree lines this year. “It just seems to suit my operation.”
