Agricultural Services

About the Department of Agricultural Services

The Agricultural Service Board of the County of Wetaskiwin is responsible for numerous facets of promoting and sustaining agricultural production within the County’s boundaries. Legislation in the form of the Weed Control Act, the Pest Control Act, the new Water Act, the Soil Conservation Act and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act help the County set policies to ensure that producers are using sound farming practices on their land. The Service Board provides services to the ratepayers to attain the goals of the various Acts.

The Agricultural Service Board Act states that the Agricultural Service Board duties are:

• to act as an advisory body and to assist the County Council and the Minister of Agriculture, in matters of mutual concern,
• to advise on and to help organize and direct weed and pest control and soil and water conservation programs,
• to assist in the control of animal disease under the Animal Health Act, 
• to promote, enhance and protect viable and sustainable agriculture with a view to improving the economic viability of the agricultural producer, and
• to promote and develop agricultural policies to meet the needs of the municipality.

Service Board

The Service Board is comprised of 7 Board Members. Of the 7 Board Members 4 are County Councillors and 3 are farm members from the general public.  The 7 members are: Councillor Ken Adair, Councillor Dale Woitt, Councillor Bill Krahn, Councillor Kathy Rooyakkers, Mike Schmidt, Cory Rasmuson and Curtis Snethun.  The Director of Agricultural Services, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer and a Recording Secretary provide support to the Board.