Topic 2: Agricultural Policies

Agriculture is the backbone of our economy
As we work to update our Municipal Development Plan (MDP), it is important to consider the agricultural industry as it contributes significantly to the success of our region. Lethbridge County recognizes the value and impact of our agricultural sector, and a section on agriculture is included in all our strategic planning documents. We strive to be a leader in the value-added agri-business sector to enhance our agricultural roots and diversify and grow our economy.

The County’s agricultural sector faces many challenges including environmental factors, intermunicipal pressures, and the competing and complementary uses that want to also establish themselves on the agricultural landscape. Some of these uses are energy developments (primarily wind and solar), residential developments, and commercial-industrial developments. To find a balance between the agricultural and other areas of the County, the following policies have been drafted to assist in the decision-making process.

The County is updating our Municipal Development Plan to be a guiding document for current and future planning and development. The specific policy areas proposed in the Agricultural section of the MDP are:

General Agriculture
The intent of this section and its policies are to:
- Conserve high-quality agricultural land while balancing the need for value-added agricultural businesses
- Support and advocate for agricultural producers
- Limit the minimum agricultural parcel size to 80 acres
- Support uses in agricultural areas that in turn support the agricultural industry
- Discourage uses which may conflict with agricultural activities

Intensive Agriculture and Horticulture (greenhouses, aquaculture facilities)
The intent of this new section and its policies are to:
- Direct these uses to suitable locations with appropriate access to a highway system
- Ensure developments have suitable water supply
- Encourage development on smaller agricultural titles

Intensive Livestock/Confined Feeding Operations (CFOs)
These operations are important to our agricultural sector. The intent of this new section and its policies are to:
- Encourage expansion of CFOs in areas with minimal impacts to residential properties and hamlets
- Identify Confined Feeding Exclusion Zones around urban and environmentally sensitive areas
- Provide best practice supports for spreading manure as per the provincial Agricultural Operation Practices Act and Regulations
- Continue consultation between Lethbridge County and the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB), who is the deciding authority on applications regarding Confined Feeding Operations

The County has reviewed the Confined Feeding Operation Exclusion Zones around our hamlets and has obtained feedback from both hamlet residents and adjacent landowners. Some adjustments were made to the Exclusion Zones based on this feedback. These changes can be viewed on the maps on What’s Happening Lethbridge County.

To review the current MDP, click on the link under the "Documents" tab on the right side of this page.