Vulcan County is pleased to announce two upcoming agriculture workshops this February, offering valuable learning opportunities for local residents.

Farmer Pesticide Certification Course – February 12th

The Farmer Pesticide Certificate has been developed by the province to give farmers the knowledge and tools to safely and effectively use pesticides on their operations. The Farmer Pesticide Certificate is recommended by the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan and required to purchase Restricted class pesticides like grain fumigants.

This course will be held on February 12th from 8:30a.m. to 5:30p.m. at the Vulcan Legion Hall. The cost to attend is $20, which includes course materials and lunch. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited.

Please click here to register or call (403)423-0261.

Weed & Pest Workshop: Info from the Experts – February 24th

On Monday, February 24, Vulcan County will host a Weed & Pest Workshop: Info from the Experts, a free educational session focused on current weed and pest challenges facing producers. Participants will hear from the following industry experts:

• Dr. Rory Degenhardt from Corteva: Decoding Herbicide Modes of Action
• Lewis Baarda from Farming Smarter: Managing Herbicide Resistant Kochia in Low-Lying & Saline Areas
• Dan & Andre Lacousiere from 2nd Opinion Consulting: Wire Worms in 2026
• Caleb Scott from Vulcan County: Marginal Land Recovery Grant Program & Funding

This workshop will be held on February 24th from 2:00-5:30p.m. at the Champion Community Hall. There is no cost to attend this workshop, but registration is encouraged to help with planning. Please contact (403)618-7407 to register.

For more information, please contact visit our Agriculture Department Event Page.

Wild boar are an invasive species and a provincially regulated agricultural pest in Alberta as they can damage property, crops, pastures and the environment. They are also known to endanger people and animals.

As of December 1, 2025 the following amendments have been made to the Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation (PNCR):

• Wild boar are declared a pest under the Agricultural Pests Act (APA) in all circumstances, not only when at large.
• It is illegal to keep, import, purchase or otherwise obtain, export, sell or otherwise dispose of or transport live wild boar or wild boar hybrids without a permit.
• It is illegal to hunt or trap wild boar, with certain exceptions. This is due to their strong behavioral response to hunting pressure.

Report Wild Boar
While it is unlikely to see wild boar in Vulcan County it is important to be aware and report them if sighted. To learn about the signs of wild board activity click here.

To report a wild boar sighting:

1. Safely take a picture.
2. Note the location.
3. Contact our Agricultural Fieldman at (403)485-3103
4. Report the sighting online here.

For more information:
Alberta Invasive Species – Squeal on Pigs
Wild Boar in Alberta

One case of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) has been confirmed by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian in 2025. EHM is the neurological form of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and is a contagious virus that can affect the brain and nerves. While this is not a new disease it MUST be reported and monitored under Alberta’s Animal Health Act.

Clinical signs of EHV-1 depend on the strain of the virus but can include:

• fever
• respiratory disease
• abortion
• death in young foals
• neurological problems

While vaccination helps reduce the risk it does not completely prevent EHV-1. It is best to talk to your veterinarian about vaccinations and to stay informed about outbreaks. An effective Biosecurity Plan is essential to prevent infectious diseases like EHM.

If you suspect EHV-1 in your herd, call your veterinarian right away. All suspected or confirmed cases must be reported to the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian within 24 hours.

Government of Canada EHM Fact Sheet

Government of Alberta EHV-1 Information

We know that safe and reliable roads are essential for everyone. Our team is committed to keeping winter travel as safe and accessible as possible.

Did you know Vulcan County’s team of operators clear snow for the following areas:

• 8 hamlets
• Over 1,800 miles of gravel roads, divided into 10 grader divisions
• 19 miles of hard-surface roads

Throughout each snowfall event, our Operations team closely monitors road conditions and snowfall amounts to guide response and maintain safety across the County. Thank you for your patience each winter as we work to maintain the roads we all depend on.

Please take a moment to visit our Snow Maintenance page for more information on plowing priority, driveway maintenance, drifting and being prepared!

If you have road safety concerns please call us at 403.485.6090 or 403.423.0148

To report a highway-related concern, contact Volker Stevin at 1-888-VSROADS.

The Canadian Award for Financial Reporting has been awarded to Vulcan County by Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for our 2024 Annual Financial Report.

The Canadian Award for Financial Reporting Program was established to encourage municipal governments throughout Canada to publish high quality financial reports and to provide peer recognition and technical guidance for officials preparing these reports. Its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Click Here to view the 2024 Annual Financial Report

Did you know the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) is a free, voluntary, and confidential self-assessment tool designed to help producers identify and evaluate the environmental risks and strengths in their agricultural operation?

By taking a whole-farm approach, the EFP process helps increase awareness of potential areas of concern and supports the creation of personalized, site-specific plans to address, monitor, or mitigate these risks.

⚠️ Important Note: To qualify for Agri-Invest, you must have an EFP. More info can be found here: https://afsc.ca/income-stabilization/afsc-agriinvest/

👉 Register for an upcoming workshop here:
🔗 https://www.foothillsforage.com/efp

Announcing the 2025 Photo Contest Winners!

A big thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Vulcan County Photo Contest — we received over 100 incredible submissions!

It was wonderful to see Vulcan County through the eyes of our community members — from stunning prairie sunsets to snapshots of local life, each photo captured what makes our region truly special.

Congratulations to our top three winners:
🥇 First Place – Roxane Schalin
🥈 Second Place – Linda Schierman
🥉 Third Place – Jennifer Anderson

Click here to see the winning photos!

We can’t wait to see even more amazing photos in our next contest coming Spring 2026!

Division 4 Election Results Are In!

We’re pleased to announce that Laurie Lyckman has been elected as the Division 4 Councillor in the Vulcan County municipal election.

Congratulations to Councillor-Elect Lyckman, and thank you to all the candidates and voters who participated in the democratic process. Your engagement helps shape the future of our community.

An Election will be held in Division 4 (Carmangay Area) on the following dates:

Advanced Poll: Tuesday, October 14th, 9:00a.m. – 2:00p.m.

Election Day: Monday, October 20th, 10:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.

Voter Eligibility & ID Requirements:

• You are a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years of age on the day of election
• Voters MUST be a permanent resident of Division 4 to vote in this election. To confirm what division you live in, refer to our Electoral Division Maps OR call our office at (403)485-2241, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (403) 485-2241.
• In order to vote, you MUST produce identification for inspection.
  • Are you on the Permanent Electors List? Check here
  • YES – you must provide one piece of government issued photo ID
  • NO – you must provide one piece of government-issued photo ID AND a piece of ID or official notice that confirms your physical address (We cannot confirm residency based on your PO Box #.)
• The identification must be one or more of the following, as required by section 53 of the Local Authorities Election Act:
  • Operator/Driver’s license
  • Government photo identification card
  • Income or property tax assessment notice
  • Bank or credit card statement
  • Personal cheque
  • Or other pieces of identification as listed here.

More information on the 2025 Municipal Election click here.

Vulcan County Regional Fire Services is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11, Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home. Help us spread the word about making smart choices when it comes to buying, charging, and recycling lithium-ion batteries—because the wrong move can lead to a fire.

In celebration of Fire Prevention Week the Vulcan County Emergency Services is having an Open House on Friday, October 10th from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. There will be giveaways, fire truck tours, bouncy castle and a BBQ. Come join the fun and learn about Fire Safety.

Here are some important Lithium-Ion Battery Tips

1. Anything with a lithium-ion battery — phones, laptops, e-bikes, power tools — can become a fire hazard. Always use the charge that came with the device or one approved by the manufacturer.
2. Before you buy anything with a lithium-ion battery, do your homework. Check the packaging and product for a mark from a nationally recognized testing lab. That stamp means it meets real safety standards.
3. Charge any lithium-ion battery device on a hard service and don’t overcharge. Once it is at 100%, unplug and move on.
4. Charging something big like an e-bike, scooter, or power tool with a lithium-ion battery? Do it outside. Use a flat, dry area away from direct sunlight, anything wet, kids or tripping hazards.
5. Don’t toss lithium-ion batteries or devices in the trash or regular recycling bins — they can start a fire. Drop them off at a legit battery recycling spot – it’s safer and way better for the planet.
   Visit call2recycle.org to find a drop-off location near you.

Click here for more Fire Prevention Week info.