Lacombe County has compiled all things agricultural into a new guide.
The 58-page guide pulls together the municipal policies, regulations, programs and activities that support agriculture in the municipality.
“More than anything it just summarizes and puts in one place anything to do with agriculture in Lacombe County,” says agricultural fieldman Dion Burlock.
“Council is adamant and made it very clear that Lacombe County is an agricultural community.”
Besides offering practical information on policies and programs, the guide sets out the county’s long-term vision for agriculture.
Reeve Paula Law called agriculture “symbiotic to life in Lacombe County,” in comments that accompanied the release of the guide earlier this week.
“We want to make sure it stays in the forefront, today and in the future, and the agricultural guide is a living document that will help ensure that.”
As policies or other agriculture-related documents change the guide will be updated.
Central Alberta is the province’s second largest agricultural region, and Lacombe County ranks second among the region’s counties on farm receipts. In 2010, those receipts tallied about $312 million.
Work on the guide began in the spring 2012. After much consultation with area producers and other stakeholders a draft version was completed last spring.
The guide is available online at www.lacombecounty.ca or at the county offices on Hwy 12 and Spruceville Road.