The Stanley Soil Management Association (SSMA) held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week, Friday at the Thresherman’s Museum Hall to go over what the 2024-2025 year looked like. Richard Warkentin, technician for the SSMA, broke down the different projects that were the focus of the year.
Sustainability collaboratively
Warkentin shared that at the core of SSMA's work is its commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural projects throughout the RM of Stanley.
“We work in conjunction with the Pembina Valley Watershed District. We do projects like planting trees and sealing wells, and doing other kinds of environmental projects.”
This year marked a record high for tree sales, Warkentin noted that the increase in tree sales is partly due to the watershed district's involvement. People who qualify for the watershed district’s programs can receive trees, with the SSMA handling the distribution. The district compensates the organization for the trees, creating a successful partnership.
“Sales have gone up exponentially, but also, as you might have noticed too, that most of the tree sales are through the watershed district. So at this point, that has increased also exponentially. So, it is good to see.”
Related stories:
- SWAMP landfill one step closer to composting
- It’s official, a paved pathway between Winkler and Morden is on its way
SSMA’s work
The meeting, held every year, serves as a platform for sharing the year's accomplishments, discussing ongoing projects, and allows the public to ask questions about SSMA's efforts.
As a not-for-profit organization, the AGM is necessary for maintaining transparency and accountability. It’s a way for the SSMA to report on its environmental and agricultural initiatives and, just as importantly, it invites community involvement.
One of the challenges covered at the meeting was the management of Diffuse Knapweed. The SSMA has been actively working to eradicate this invasive species, which has been found in the area for over 50 years.
“Diffuse Knapweed is a Tier 1 noxious weed, which, according to the Noxious Weed Act, has to be destroyed. If you see it, you cannot walk by it without pulling it out [and] destroying it. The RM of Stanley is the only area where Diffuse Knapweed has been found for 50 years.”
Warkentin shared that managing the weed has proven difficult as it’s not necessarily easy to find.
He also stressed the importance of addressing the problem early by quoting Barney Fife, "You need to nip it in the bud.”
Getting involved with SSMA
The Stanley Soil Management Association’s work is not just for farmers but also involves reaching out to the growing number of non-farming landowners in the region.
“More and more people are not farmers. More and more people are area landowners and they have an acreage... They have a vested interest to also have environmental goods and services in some way.”
To stay up to date on what the SSMA is up to, follow their social media here.