Airdrie

Alberta Open Farm Days (August 16-17) is a province-wide celebration of agriculture, food, and community where participating farms and ranches open their gates to the public to help connect visitors to where their food comes from.

The Province is Canada’s biggest producer of honey, beef and processed potatoes; the second-biggest producer of wheat and canola; and a substantial exporter of oats, barley and pork.

This year's Open Farm Days event coincides with 'Local Food Week' which encourages consumers to buy local in support of producers.

Harvest time is just around the corner with some producers already started and there are many things to keep in mind before harvest to ensure your grain can be sold into any market. Before applying pesticides as a pre harvest application, always understand the label and be aware of any restrictions that may affect the marketability of your grain.

The Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Eleanor Olszewski was in Saskatchewan earlier this week for two key announcements, including $4.2 million for the province's ag sector. 

"By building on Saskatchewan’s many strengths and investing in them, we’re helping create good jobs and grow one strong Canadian economy."

This week, Alberta farmers learned more about the $5.2 million in funding planned for the province's two crop diversification centres.

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson says the province's farmers directly benefit from the work being done at CDC North near Edmonton, and CDC South near Brooks.

The funding supports upgrades and replacements to greenhouses, labs, and administrative buildings at both sites, as well as research essentials such as seed, fertilizer, and pesticides.  

Alberta Beef Producers have decided to withdraw from the Canadian Cattle Association.

Board Chair Doug Roxburgh says they've been talking with the organization about their concerns for years regarding governance and fiscal transparency.

He notes over the past five years there's been some discussion going on around the move, noting the final decision came following extensive deliberation and strategic review.

In recent weeks, Airdrie has seen its share of wild neighbours — from bobcats and badgers to porcupines, skunks and deer — with officials reminding residents that such encounters aren’t unusual and knowing how to respond can keep both people and animals safe.

From High River film crews to international streaming releases, Alberta’s role on screen is making headlines this month.

Netflix confirmed Season 2 of My Life With the Walter Boys will debut Aug. 28. Based on the young-adult novel by Ali Novak, the series has previously filmed in Cochrane, Crossfield and other communities near Airdrie.

Production on Season 3 began Aug. 6 and is scheduled to wrap Dec. 1. Local media has reported that filming is underway in High River and the surrounding area.

While Calgary bore the brunt of the July 13 hailstorm that caused close to $92 million in insured damage, Airdrie has also seen several dramatic storms this summer. On Aug. 7, heavy rain caused temporary flooding on select streets and in low-lying areas, along with large hail that covered lawns and streets. 

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) said Thursday the Calgary hailstorm damage estimate comes from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ), with vehicles accounting for 65 per cent of all claims.

Airdrie-area residents face mixed skies this weekend along with active wildlife and water advisories across southern Alberta.

Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts mainly cloudy conditions Saturday, with a 30 per cent chance of showers late in the morning and early afternoon and a risk of a thunderstorm. Winds become southwest at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 near noon. The high is expected to be 24 C, with a humidex of 26. Skies clear overnight, dropping to a low of 6 C.

Sunday will be sunny with a high of 24 C and a low of plus 4.

The Bearspaw First Nation says one of its four tipi canvases along the Trans-Canada Highway west of Calaway Park was stolen Wednesday evening.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, the First Nation said the canvas was removed and taken between approximately 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Aug. 13.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cochrane RCMP at 403-932-2211 or Stoney Tribal Security Services at 403-881-2666.