Agricultural Services Board (ASB)

The Agricultural Service Board (ASB) is made up of six members-at-large from within the community and two Councillors. They represent the agricultural interests of the County and work together, using their many combined years of experience across the sector, to advise Council on how best to serve our producers. From giving pesticide recommendations to helping ranchers cover veterinary costs, the ASB exists to provide services and create programs to help our community.

They meet approximately 6-8 times per year and also attend tours and educational conferences to stay informed on the wider industry. Members serve terms of 1-2 years. If you are interested in serving on the Agricultural Services Board, please complete a Member-at-Large Application.

The ASB is responsible for implementing and enforcing legislative requirements under the Agricultural Service Board Act, the Weed Control Act, the Agricultural Pests Act, the Soil Conservation Act, and to assist with the control of animal disease under the Animal Health Act. ASB’s work in their local communities to help manage weeds and pests, conserve soil and water, enhance and protect viable and sustainable agricultural practices, help with control of animal diseases, and develop municipal policies. They also oversees inspections and research on pests and crop disease in the County. We have many Research Partners across the Peace Region and the Province.

Meet Your ASB

Dan Bourassa

Dan grew up on a small farm in Tangent AB. At the age of 12 his family left the farm and moved to Falher, AB. During high school he started working at the Alberta Wheat Pool elevators in Falher, Girouxville, Nampa and Donnelly. Dan is currently the Director of Operations of the Rycroft Ag Business Center, for Richardson Pioneer. Managing employees in grain operations, marketing, agronomy and crop input retail he has gained the knowledge and experience, over his 30-year career, that he can pass on to local farmers in the area. In his spare time, Dan operates a small hobby farm in the Blueberry Mountain area. He has four children and encourages them to be involved on the farm as much as possible.

Karen Jeannotte

Karen grew up in the Peace Country and, after graduating high school, moved across the country, living in various provinces and attending university along the way, focusing her studies on on public policy and policy development.

In 2012, she moved back to the Peace and started working for an Agricultural Financial Company in the capacity of lender and business team member, for a number of farmers in both B.C. and Alberta. During this time she also met the love of her life, and is now a partner in managing and running a grain farm and elk ranch in Bonanza, Alberta. Together, Karen and her partner have three kids and enjoy the lifestyle that living and farming in Saddle Hills County provides.

Shanelle Richard

Shanelle grew up in Altario, Alberta on a mixed farm, with cattle and grain farming. She was involved in the beef 4-H program throughout her school years. When she graduated high school she attended Olds College for two years, where she got her diploma in Agriculture Management and met her husband Josh. Shanelle now works for Schoorlemmer Seeds in Rycroft, selling canola and crop inputs as well as helping on her husband's family farm just outside of Spirit River.

Brent Konstapel

Brent grew up living and working on his family farm in the Wonderland area. After graduating in 2005, he worked off the farm for a few years, before returning to farming full-time in 2012. He now works alongside two of his brothers and parents, as well as wife Megan and daughters Whitney and Allison, on their grain operation in Saddle Hills County.

Alongside full-time farming, Brent is also a voluntary firefighter in the County, acting as the Fire Chief for the Blueberry Fire Department. He thinks Saddle Hills County is a perfect place to raise his family and run the family farm.

Sarah Weiss

Sarah was born and raised in Sherwood Park, Alberta, but always longed to be closer to animals and nature. At 17, she applied to be a summer student at a cattle ranch in Silver Valley, where she met her husband, Matt.

Sarah and Matt now have three daughters and work together, alongside their business partners, on the same cattle ranch she originally started at. As well as being cattle producers, they also farm grain, pigs, and chickens.

Sarah is grateful to be living her dream in Saddle Hills County, and is excited to be able to give back to an industry that’s given her so much.

Councillor Ed Armagost, Councillor Danny Roy & Councillor Gerry Richard

Ed, Danny, and Gerry are Saddle Hills County Councillors appointed to the Agricultural Service Board. You can learn more about them and our other Councillors on our Council page.