New Off the Creek TV Channel: the Hoppenbrouwers / White Creek Meats

Check out the Off the Creek TV Tab above, or just click this link: http://youtu.be/bRl82F5REOY

This is the latest in the series of videos that Red Deer County is developing, called "Stewards of the Land".  These videos recognize some of the great work that County residents are doing to care for and enhance their land.

Don't forget to check out the other videos on Off the Creek TV!

Upcoming Events and a New Off the Creek TV Channel

A new Off the Creek TV Channel is available.  Just click the Off the Creek TV Tab above.  This new channel shows a recent slide show with pictures of some of the projects that Off the Creek Landowners have completed.

Some events you don't want to miss:

1. November 7-10: AgriTrade (Westerner Park, Red Deer).  Stop by the Red Deer County booth and say hi!  This year, our Ag Services Board and Staff put together a "Classroom Reporter" program.  Grade 12 students from Chinooks Edge School Division will be roaming AgriTrade, learning all about Ag and writing news stories about things that catch there eye. 

2. November 15: Clear Water Landcare's Celebrating Our Success (Rocky Mountain House).  Learn what other stewards of the land are doing around Central Alberta and beyond.  For details, contact Gary Lewis at Clearwater County (403.845.4444 or glewis@clearwatercounty.ca )

3. November 20: Working Well Workshop (Pine Lake).  Our 7th!  These workshops are great opportunities to come and learn how to look after your water well.  For info or to register, contact Ken Lewis at 403.342-8653 or klewis@rdcounty.ca .

4. November 27-29: Western Canadian Grazing Conference (Red Deer).  This premier grazing extension event comes to Red Deer this year...and the speakers look great.  Details at: http://www.westerncanadiangrazingconference.com/ .  Register before November 1 for earlybird pricing! 
*Remember: Red Deer County landowners can get up to half their registration costs back for this event, thanks to the Agricultural Service Board's Ag Education Initiative (call Red Deer County Ag Services for info).

New Off the Creek TV and More

The Red Deer County Communications staff have put together 3 great little videos showcasing the Pine Lake Restoration Society.  Check out the videos by clicking the Off the Creek TV tab above.  You'll find a link to these videos there, along with the other Off the Creek videos that have been put together so far.

Other news:

1. Time for re-visits! 

The Off the Creek Program and its predecessor program, the Riparian Fencing Initiative, have been around long enough now that we're able to go back for the formal "re-visits"... after 4 or 5 years, we go back to the projects, and re-do any Riparian Health Assessment work completed when the project first went in, to see how the project has helped improve or maintain Riparian Health over time.  We'll post information on these re-visits (while protecting the landowners' anonymity of course!), here on the Off the Creek Blog.

2. Don't wait...time and resources are running out

• Remember that the Growing Forward funding programs are nearing their end.  Deadlines and other information are posted at http://www.growingforward.alberta.ca/
• Over half of the 2012 Off the Creek Program budget has been allocated so far, to 10 great projects.  If you're a Red Deer County landowner thinking of doing a  project with the Off the Creek Program in 2012...get your application in soon!

Last Chance to Register for the Controlled Grazing School

Here's the Schedule for the upcoming Controlled Grazing School, being hosted by Grey Wooded Forage Association, Kneehill County, Mountain View County and Red Deer County.

Please note: June 12 is the last day to register...we've only got a few spots left...be sure to call to register as soon as possible.

Each evening is different...attend them all, or attend the specific sessions that interest you.

EVENING 1: JUNE 19, 2012.  At Don Bezjack's Cross Bar Anchor Ranch

• 5:30 PM Registration and Supper
• 6:00 PM Principles of Controlled Grazing (including a pasture walk)

EVENING 2: JUNE 21, 2012.  At Don Bezjack's Cross Bar Anchor Ranch

• 5:30 PM Supper
• 6:00 PM Nutrient Cycling on Pastures
• 6:45 PM High Quality Pasture = High Gains
• 8:00 PM Pasture Economics

EVENING 3: JUNE 26, 2012. At Don Bezjack's Cross Bar Anchor Ranch

• 5:30 PM Supper
• 6:00 PM Stockpiling Forages for Extended Grazing
• 7:00 PM Electric Fencing and Water Systems

EVENING 4: JUNE 28, 2012.  Supper at Reed Ranch School, Pastures at Dean Duquette's

• 5:30 PM Supper
• 6:00 PM Forage Species
• 7:00 PM Pasture Design and the Grazing Plan

SPECIAL BONUS: FOLLOW-UP VISIT TO JIM BAUER'S RANCH

• July 3, 2012.  Details and Sign-up at the Controlled Grazing School

To Register: Call (403-505-9038) or email (klewis@rdcounty.ca).  $15/night includes supper!

Growing Forward News

A quick update regarding water and environment related Growing Forward Programs.

Growing Forward Water Management Program: Still open, still has funding, and still accepting applications.

Growing Forward Grazing and Winter Feeding Program: Still open, still has funding, and still accepting applications.  Will close August 31, 2012.  Projects must be completed by Oct 31, 2012

Growing Forward Manure Management Program: Still open, still has funding, and still accepting applications.  Has new application forms, which must be used.

Growing Forward Integrated Crop Management Program: Closed

Remember: If you need assistance with the planning work that is required for these programs, I can help you.   Contact me any time.

If you are considering Growing Forward funding, to ensure you get the latest news, be sure to check the Growing Forward website:

www.growingforward.alberta.ca

This site also presents information about  the many other Growing Forward Programs.

New on Off the Creek TV

Randy Radau of Coulee Creek Herefords, discusses the new winter watering system he installed.  Click here to watch the video: Stewards of the Land - Caring for the Coulee.

Check out the other Off the Creek TV channels, by clicking the Off the Creek TV Tab above, then find the links to the other stories.

Off the Creek TV: All off the Creek, All the Time!

Spring Time Reminders

Seedings pretty much in full swing now...maybe it's a good time for some reminders?



1. UPCOMING EVENTS

• May 12, June 9, July 7: Head to Hoof Horsemanship Clinics, with Geoff Hoar. For info or to register contact Meghan Marshall at 403.596.6084 or mmarshall@rdcounty.ca
• June 14-15: Ladies Livestock Lessons, at Pine Lake. For info or to register, see the LLL2012 BlogPage at http://ladieslivestocklessons.blogspot.ca/, or you can contact Ken Lewis at 403.342.8653 or klewis@rdcounty.ca
• June 19, 21, 26, 28: Controlled Grazing School, with Albert Kuipers (Grey Wooded Forage Association). For info or to register contact Ken Lewis at 403.342.8653 or klewis@rdcounty.ca .
• July 19: 10th Annual Enterprising Ag Tour in Red Deer County.  Stops include: Yff Dairy's solid / liquid manure separator and bedding maker, Future Farm's Charolais show, Buyks Spuds, Wachter Horses (show jumping).  Buy your tickets ($25 each) at the Red Deer County Office.

2. AG TRAINING REFUND



Any ag-related course you take might be eligible for up to 50% of the registration fees reimbursed to you (maximum $200), from the Red Deer County Agricultural Services Board “Ag Training Refund Program”. Open to any Red Deer County landowner.

3. OFF THE CREEK PROGRAM

Get up to 75% (maximum $5,000) to do a project on your land that benefits water bodies, riparian areas, native range and shallow groundwater.  Application forms are available from this blog page (click the "Off the Creek Doc's" tab above), or contact Ken Lewis at 403.342.8653 or klewis@rdcounty.ca


4. OFF SITE WATERING DEMONSTRATION UNIT

Is available for agricultural producers to "try before you buy".  FREE!!! Our new solar/wind powered unit is featured on the Off the Creek TV Page...click this link to watch it: Taking Livestock Watering to New Heights