Wheatland County’s Agricultural Service Board(ASB) will be packing into the bus for their yearly tour of the community on August 23.

“The main purpose is to showcase the agi-businesses around the county and show our industry leading producers off to whomever would like to see, and maybe learn a little bit more about the industry that feeds the world,” said Jason Wilson, Wheatland County councillor.

The tour is open to the public, but participants will also include county councilors, agricultural service board members, and Wilson who will be acting as a tour guide and master of ceremonies.

Wilson explained that invitations have also been extended to Newell County, and the Town of Strathmore.

“It’s really open to whoever wants to learn about the ag industry,” said Wilson.

The tour is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with 55 spots available on the bus, at a cost of $45 per person.

Featured on the tour will be a lunch by The Country Farmhouse and taste testing at Origin Malting and Brewing in Strathmore.

The bus tour is held on an annual basis throughout Wheatland County. Participants will be visiting the Strathmore Seed Cleaning Plant, Origin Malting and Brewing – Barley to Beer, the Carseland Feedyards Ltd., and Heritage Harvest.

“My favourite place on the stop is actually Origin (Malting &) Brewing. It’s the new brewery in town and we are going to have the barley to beer aspect of it,” said Wilson. “We are going to be touring one of the farms of the Hiltons and then moving into the brewery and having lunch there,” he said. The experience allows visitors to understand what it takes to make craft beer, he explained.

“You really understand what it takes to make that craft beer, the work that goes into it, and how much a family can change the economy,” he said.

The ASB is comprised of elected council members. The board promotes and enhances sustainable agriculture with a view to improving the economic viability of the agricultural producer, according to Wheatland County. They also advise county council and the Minister of Agriculture on matters of mutual concern, and develop agricultural policies within the county.

Register for the tour online at eventbrite http://2018wcasbtour.eventbrite.com

Participants will be meeting at the Wheatland County Administration Building at 242006 Range Road 243.