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Agricultural Services Board (ASB)

The Agricultural Service Board (ASB) is made up of six members-at-large from within the community and two Councillors. They represent the agricultural interests of the County and work together, using their many combined years of experience across the sector, to advise Council on how best to serve our producers. From giving pesticide recommendations to helping ranchers cover veterinary costs, the ASB exists to provide services and create programs to help our community.

They meet approximately 6-8 times per year and also attend tours and educational conferences to stay informed on the wider industry. Members serve terms of 1-2 years. If you are interested in serving on the Agricultural Services Board, please complete a Member-at-Large Application.

The ASB is responsible for implementing and enforcing legislative requirements under the Agricultural Service Board Act, the Weed Control Act, the Agricultural Pests Act, the Soil Conservation Act, and to assist with the control of animal disease under the Animal Health Act. ASB’s work in their local communities to help manage weeds and pests, conserve soil and water, enhance and protect viable and sustainable agricultural practices, help with control of animal diseases, and develop municipal policies. They also oversees inspections and research on pests and crop disease in the County. We have many Research Partners across the Peace Region and the Province. 

Meet Your ASB

Dan Bourassa

Dan grew up on a small farm in Tangent AB. At the age of 12 his family left the farm and moved to Falher, AB. During high school he started working at the Alberta Wheat Pool elevators in Falher, Girouxville, Nampa and Donnelly. Dan is currently the Director of Operations of the Rycroft Ag Business Center, for Richardson Pioneer. Managing employees in grain operations, marketing, agronomy and crop input retail he has gained the knowledge and experience, over his 30-year career, that he can pass on to local farmers in the area. In his spare time, Dan operates a small hobby farm in the Blueberry Mountain area. He has four children and encourages them to be involved on the farm as much as possible.

Serena Reber

Serena, along with her fiancé Mark, run a seed stock polled Hereford operation in Northmark. She has been involved in the cattle industry for over 30 years and has been a part of numerous cattle organizations such as 4-H, GP Beef Co-op and Feeder Associations, Peace Country Beef Congress, and the Peace River Hereford Club. She enjoys working on the Agricultural Service Board and bringing a fresh perspective to benefit the County and the agriculture community as a whole.

Shanelle Richard

Shanelle grew up in Altario, Alberta on a mixed farm, with cattle and grain farming. She was involved in the beef 4-H program throughout her school years. When she graduated high school she attended Olds College for two years, where she got her diploma in Agriculture Management and met her husband Josh. Shanelle now works for Schoorlemmer Seeds in Rycroft, selling canola and crop inputs as well as helping on her husband's family farm just outside of Spirit River.

Bruce Thomi

Bruce grew up on a grain farm west of Woking in the Northmark area and has always shown interest in farming and the community. He attended Lakeland College in Vermillion and graduated with a Crop Technology Diploma as well as an Agri-Business Diploma. After college, he returned to the family farm where he farms today with his wife, three children and parents.

Karen Jeanotte & Brent Konstapel

Both are newly appointed members of the ASB, as of the October 30, 2023 Organizational Meeting. Bios to come. 

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