Richard Froese
South Peace News
Big Lakes County welcomes a new agricultural fieldman with farming roots in the region.
Sarah Cairns started her new role on March 24.
“I grew up on a ranch in the Gilwood area where I am active in the operation alongside my family,” says Cairns, who graduated from E.W. Pratt High School in High Prairie several years ago.
“I have always been passionate about agriculture, supporting and advocating for producers.
“Being able to do this in my hometown and support our agriculture sector is a very rewarding experience.”
She is not new to working for the County.
“Years ago, I had previously worked for Big Lakes County as a seasonal agricultural labourer, so I was familiar with the workplace before starting this role,” Cairns says.
“Between my education in environmental science and my many years spent in municipal government, I have gained a lot of valuable knowledge that is a real asset to the position.”
She believes that growing up in the region helps her in the role.
“I am very excited to be back home working to support the agricultural community,” Cairns says.
“I feel that being from the area and an active agricultural producer myself, provides me insight into our local needs and concerns.”
Building strong relationships and having strong connections with the community are important aspects of the job, she says.
“I look forward to meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends and further learning about local agricultural concerns, so I can do my part in creating a solution,” Cairns says.
The role of an agricultural fieldman is to implement agricultural policies and programs to manage the agricultural resources of the municipality, she notes.
“In this role, I will be working with producers through a variety of programming strategies, including agricultural extension work, education, outreach and collaboration to protect our agricultural and natural resources while supporting the economic interests of agricultural operations,” Cairns says.
She succeeds Dylan Fath, who served the county as agricultural fieldman from June 1, 2022 until he ended his employment Feb. 28.
Cairns was the first recipient of the $1,000 Elliott and Rosche Memorial Bursary presented by the Lesser Slave Watershed Council in 2021.
In memory of two long-standing and dedicated board members, Brian Elliott and Brian Rosche, the bursary is presented to a watershed resident furthering education in environmental and watershed related topics.