ST. PAUL – Faced with funding instability, Lakeland Agricultural Research Association (LARA) has requested a long-term funding agreement with the County of St. Paul.
After discussions wrapped up, County council agreed to create a three-year annual funding agreement to the tune of $70,000 a year.
Municipal districts that LARA serves include the MD of Bonnyville region, County of St. Paul, Smoky Lake County, and Lac La Biche County, according to its website.
“In order to ensure long-term consistency in the services LARA provides, we are inquiring if the County would enter into a two-to-three-year contract with our organization,” reads a Nov. 18 letter from LARA Chair Jay Cory to the County of St. Paul.
“This would enhance our organization’s ability to plan long-term research and extension-based projects to ensure that our local farmers and ranchers continue to have access to the latest in agriculture research, innovation and extension,” wrote Cory.
CAO Jason Wallsmith told council during the County’s regular council meeting on Jan. 14, the municipality is budgeting a $55,000 annual contribution to LARA.
He added the county’s agricultural service board (ASB) is considering increasing that contribution to $75,000 over several years.
Coun. Louis Dechaine, who also sits on LARA’s board, said additional funding will help stabilize LARA’s funding, which would also help LARA retain staff and keep doing its work.
Dechaine told council that funding challenges involve Lac La Biche County pulling out of LARA last year. He said Smoky Lake County is also threatening to leave, leading to further funding uncertainty.
One reason several members of Lac La Biche County council voted against continuing with LARA was a feeling that it was centered in the Bonnyville area, where its main office is located, and did not do enough for Lac La Biche County clients.
Coun. Ross Krekoski agreed that municipalities leaving LARA compromises the organization’s long-term planning. “They need their staff to do services,” he said.
“Also, the fact that we were just talking about the ASB expanding its services to actually support [agriculture] instead of just doing spraying, I really want to see us supporting LARA to what they’re asking for in a long-term fashion,” added Krekoski.
Ockerman wondered if the County of St. Paul commits to increased long-term funding, if other members will be “willing to do the same?”
Dechaine said Bonnyville remains stable with its funding, but suggested that other members like Smoky Lake County might not be.
Coun. Dale Hedrick said he is concerned that if council increases its annual funding to LARA, “Then is LARA going to come to us and need even more money [in the future] . . . if Smoky Lake wasn’t to participate?”
Dechaine said it is too early to tell, especially with the upcoming municipal elections.
Coun. Kevin Wirsta, who has been a part of LARA for several years, said he was optimistic about the possibility of Lac La Biche County coming back to the table in future, “Because they were a big supporter of it.”
“I believe they were [putting] in $65,000 at the time,” said Wirsta. He added that there are also many opportunities for LARA to expand in the future. LARA could approach the County of Two Hills, for example.
“I’ve seen a lot of their farmers . . . participate in a lot of what LARA does and do participate in a lot of their events,” said Wirsta.
Following more discussion, Coun. Maxine Fodness moved to direct administration to develop a three-year $70,000 annual funding agreement with LARA.
The motion passed.
