Agricultural Programs and Services

Clear Hills County strives to maintain roadsides to ensure a high level of visibility, adequate drainage and to prevent the spread of noxious weeds.

Policy 6304 Roadside Vegetation Control 

Brushing

Clear Hills County will inspect areas that are in need of brushing as well as review requests from landowners on problem areas.

Brushing Request agreement (Form B)

Spraying

The program will focus on weed control to prevent regrowth and vegetation as listed in the Weed Control Act of Alberta.

Spraying will not occur adjacent to yard sites or known herbicide sensitive vegetation such as gardens or shelterbelts or within the legislated setback from water bodies and water sources.

Policy 6309 Property Line Spray Request

Policy 6304 Do Not Spray Form

Mowing

Ditches along Clear Hills County owned roads will be mowed annually to ensure all roads are maintained as efficiently as possible.

If you would like to request approval to swath/bale along County owned ditches please contact the County office at 780-685-3925.

Mowing for Community Organizations

Clear Hills County will by request mow outfields and large grassed-in areas that are beyond the reasonable scope of riding and push lawn mowers for community not-for-profit organizations within the County, once annually in conjunction with the roadside mowing program.

6304 Form C Mowing for non-profits

Fencing 

Clear Hills County will repair or replace fences damaged by Municipal operations on private land only.

Policy 3206 Fencing

The Clear Hills County Agricultural Services Department is responsible for administering weed and pest control within the County. Our seasonal Weed Inspectors conduct regular annual inspections to check for noxious and prohibited weeds, as designated under the Alberta Weed Control Act, and for nuisance and pest species, listed under the Agricultural Pests Act.

This ensures the high quality of our crops and helps eliminate pests. By identifying areas with weed or pest problems, we assist farmers in eradicating and controlling these issues for the benefit of their crops and those of others within the county.

Weed Act - https://open.alberta.ca/publications/w05p1
Pest Act - https://open.alberta.ca/publications/a08

Weed Inspectors
Under the Alberta Weed Control Act, inspectors may enter and inspect land during reasonable hours without notice. They will not enter any buildings during their inspections.

County Weed Inspectors may park vehicles in field approaches but will never drive onto your land. They inspect all areas within the County, including both public and private lands.

Weed Inspectors adhere to strict biosecurity protocols to prevent the spread of disease. They wear boot covers during inspections and disinfect any tools that come into contact with soil using a bleach solution, as specified in the Alberta Clubroot Management Plan.

The County is divided into zones, with each Weed Inspector assigned to a specific zone for their inspections.

In addition to looking for invasive plants, Weed Inspectors conduct grasshopper inspections, set up traps to collect bertha armyworm moths, and participate in provincial crop disease surveys.

Weed Report vs. Weed Notice

Should a Weed Inspector discover a Noxious Weed; they will write up a Weed Report and inform the landowner of the weed infestation. This is not a Weed Notice. A Weed Report is offered as an informational tool to encourage landowners to control the weeds in question or to contact the Agricultural Service Department to learn more about plant management.

A Weed Notice is a legal document under the Alberta Weed Control Act. A Weed Notice will be issued if a landowner has repeatedly failed to control the weeds identified on the Weed Report. A Weed Notice is a document that, if not complied with, will lead Clear Hills County taking control/eradicating the weeds in question with the landowner still responsible for the cost of the control.

Under the Act, Weed Inspectors, “may enter at any reasonable hour on land premises and inspect the land or any crops, hay, etc., excluding dwellings on the premises.”

Clear Hills County has partnered with Woodmere Nurseries to provide tree seedlings at minimal cost through bulk seedling purchasing program. A variety of field shelterbelt species and native species are available.

The County has rolls of plastic mulch for sale and mulch applicator for rent. Mulch is applied to improve weed control, reduce moisture requirements, and increase the growth rate of new seedlings. The mulch also keeps the soil warmer throughout the summer and fall.

Order forms will be available each fall and due back into the office the following January. For more information on this program contact:

Clear Hills County Biggest Vegetable Contest, is a celebration of bountiful harvests and the remarkable achievements of our local gardening enthusiasts. This annual event is an opportunity for residents to showcase their green thumbs and compete for the title of producing the most colossal vegetables in the county!

The Biggest Vegetable Contest weighing stations will be set up at the following locations starting the approximately the 3rd week September (watch for exact dates on our website, social media platforms and posters around Clear Hills County):

Cleardale Co-op Parking Lot  5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Clear Hills County Office Parking Lot 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Hines Creek West End of Main Street 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Cherry Canyon Hall Parking Lot 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

All proud gardeners and farmers in Clear Hills County are encouraged to bring their most impressive, jumbo-sized vegetables to one of these locations during the specified times for official weighing. Whether you have grown an enormous pumpkin, an enormous carrot, or any other gargantuan vegetable, we want to see it!

Participants will have the opportunity to compete in various categories, including:

• Beets
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Corn
• Cucumber
• Onions
• Potatoes
• Pumpkins
• Tomatoes
• Turnip
• Zucchini
• Other Squash
• Most Unique

There will be two entry groups: Kids (12 & under) and Adults (13 & over). Contestants will compete within their respective age groups.

The first-place winners in each category of both the Kids and Adults groups will receive a cash prize of $50.00. It's an opportunity to recognize and reward the efforts of our talented participants.

Winners will be announced at the end of the contest, and their names will be published in the October County Newsletter.

Not only does this contest bring together the community in friendly competition, but it also is a fantastic occasion to exchange gardening tips, share stories, and admire the incredible produce grown within our county.

So, mark your calendars and prepare your vegetables for the Annual Clear Hills County Biggest Vegetable Contest. Let us celebrate the abundance and passion of our local gardening community. We look forward to seeing you and your impressive vegetables at one of the weighing stations!

For any inquiries or further information, please contact the Clear Hills County Office at 780-685-3925 Ext. 108

Happy gardening and may the biggest vegetable win!