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This week “In the Field” offers local Ag related info and input sessions

Jan 28, 2017 | 1:08 PM

LETHBRIDGE –  This week’s (Jan 16 to20) “In the Field” vignette farm features on County 95 covered several stories about local groups and the government seeking input from agriculture industry parnters on a variety of topics. The issues cover everything from farm succession planning, to safe food handling and water management.

Farm Succession Planning:
 
It isn’t an easy discussion for many families to have but, if you own a farm and re nearing retirement, succession planning is critical.

In an effort to reduce conflict, costs and misunderstandings, having a plan will enable a smoother transition from one generation to the next.

To help with that process, a group of experts in law, tax and financial planning will hold seminars in Taber, Pincher Creek, Nanton and Lethbridge, between February first and the eighth.   

The seminars will include advice from a lawyer, a tax specialist and financial advisor who can help attendees develop a strategy for their personal situation, with a complete overview of options relating to real life scenarios.

The Seminars will be presented by Stephen C. Mogdan and R. Travis Bissett, Lawyers, Stringam LLP;  Rebecca Sanford, CPA, CA, Tax Manager at KPMG Enterprise and Don Strankman, Master Financial Planner, Wealth and Succession Planning

Seminar Dates and Locations:

Pincher Creek:  Wednesday, February 1,  10:00AM – 12:00PM.  Location: Lebel Mansion, 696 Kettles St

Taber: Thursday, February 2, 1:00PM – 3:00PM. Location: Taber Library, Program Room, 5415 50 Ave

Nanton: Friday, February 3, 10:00AM – 12:00PM. Location: Nanton Community Memorial Centre, 2204 18th S

Lethbridge:  Wednesday, February 8, 10:00AM – 12:00PM.  Location:  Anton’s Ballroom, 320 Scenic Dr S

For more information contact the Stringam law office or call Justine Peters at 403-328-5577.

From the federal government news page, the Growing Forward 2 Funding Assistanc Program fo producers is into its final year of the funding framework.

The five year federal-povincial territorial initiative was designed to encoueage innovation, competitiveness and market development in Canada’s agri-food and agri-poducts sector.

Federal, provincial and territoial governments are currntly woking together to develop the nex agricultural policy famework which will launh on April 1st of 2018.

Since Growing Forward 2 launched in 2013, over 4,100 projects have been appoved with over $46 Million in approved funding.

Also, water was a key topic at a meeting of agriculture ministers from around the world in German last weekend.

Canadian Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay, wrapped up the G-20 Agriculture ministers conference promising to safeguard a clean and sustainable water supply.

The agriculture minister’s communique also promisted action on antimicrobial resistance and to share information and technology to help farmers increase food production.  At the same time, MacAulay announced a one million dollar contribution from Canada to the U-N Food and Agricultue Organization.

Back here in Canada, the government began public consultation on new rules for strengthening food safety.

The proposed Safe Food for Canadian Regulations is set to protect Canadians with a larger emphasis on preventing food safety risks for all imported products.  The same rules would also apply to foods leaving the country.

Under the new regulations, food businesses would require preventative controls to identify and manage food safety risks before they could sell their food products to consumers.   This would also reduce the time it takes to remove unsafe foods from the marketplace. The 90-day public comment period closes April 21st. 

It’s an opportunity for all Canadians to comment on the proposed regulations, which would consolidate 14 sets of existing regulations into one.
 
Information and guidance is available to explain key elements of the proposal and what would be expected of food businesses, including videos, interactive tools, fact sheets, templates and a handbook.

These proposed regulations represent a major milestone in bringing the Safe Food for Canadians Act into force, which was passed in Parliament in 2012 with support from all political parties. More information can be found on  Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website

Locally, the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) is asking for input on Agricultural matters and wants to hear from landowners, farmers, ranchers, producers and irrigators.

The OWC will be holding three sessions to gather input on the direction of agriculture in Southern Alberta, and how the Council can support the agriculture community and the rural way of life.
 
The sessions will involve local agriculture experts who will have updates on  current stewardship projects.  There will also be an opportunity for roundtable discussion on the direction and future of agriculture in the region.
 
The outcomes of these meetings will be shared with participants.
 
 The session times and dates are as follows:
 
—  Taber – Tuesday, January 31 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the Heritage Inn and Conference Centre.
 
 Pincher Creek –  Friday, February 10 from 1:00 to 4;00 pm at the Twin Butte Community Hall, with an NCC Eat & Greet to follow at 5:30.
 
—  Stavely – Wednesday, March 1 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the Stavely Community Hall. 
 
There is no cost to attend however, registration is required to allow organizers to prepare for the numbers attending.  
 
For more information and to register  check out the link at the Oldman Watershed Council