Flagstaff County: The Podcast

For several weeks in the mid-1930s, a farmhouse south of Daysland, Alberta is seemingly terrorized by a "ghost". Many, including homeowners Mr. and Mrs. Louis Lansing, are convinced that an "evil spirit" has taken up residence there. Listen, as Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna narrates this Depression-era tale, to find out what happened. Sources: Vintage Edmonton (vintageedmonton.com) and various newspaper accounts, including the Edmonton Journal.

One year later, we revisit the Alberta government's historic announcement to return the Manitou Stone to its rightful home in modern-day Flagstaff County, which is on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional meeting grounds, gathering place, and travelling route to the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene and Nakota Sioux.

Ken Eshpeter, a director with the Friends of the Battle River Railway Society, stops by to tell Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna all about the little railway that could. If you're interested in riding the rails in Central Alberta, be sure to visit the Battle River Train Excursions website at: battlerivertrain.com.

The grand prize in our 2023 Flagstaff Fitness Challenge features 10 online training sessions (valued at $500) with personal trainer Josh Damberger. Josh tells Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna why he got into the fitness industry and what services he offers, before sharing some tried-and-true fitness tips that are sure to keep you on track in this year's challenge! Josh can be reached via email at: joshdamberger@gmail.com.

Matthew Pfeffer sits down with Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna to talk about what he does as Agricultural Foreman, and then reminisce about his hockey and swimming careers.

How many people can say that something they've created is in a museum? Flagstaff County Parts Technician Kelly Harris can. A lavish Russian coronation cloak that Kelly created during her time with the Czar Theatre Guild, as well as some Fabergé eggs that she had a hand in creating, are housed at the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton. Kelly, now a Sedgewick resident, discusses her lasting legacy, and how it all came about, with Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna.

Flagstaff Food Bank board secretary Lynne Jenkinson provides Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna with a wrap-up of the recent Tower of Toilet Paper Challenge. Lynne also updates Cary on the latest statistics from the Flagstaff Food Bank.

Flagstaff County Reeve Don Kroetch gives the podcast version of a State of the County address. With Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna hosting, Reeve Kroetch looks back at the County's accomplishments, as well as the challenges faced by the County, its residents, businesses, and regional and community partners, in 2022. The reeve then offers a glimpse at some of what Flagstaff County council will be working on in 2023.

Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna chats with county resident Sharleen Chevraux, who helped bring the Manitou Stone back to Alberta in 1973. The Killam businesswoman and retired English high school teacher says she has mixed emotions after the recent announcement that the meteorite is slated to return to its historic location in Flagstaff County, which is Treat 6 Territory.

Maryse Bourgault is an assistant professor in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan. She is also the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) Integrated Agronomy Research Chair. The drought and agriculture researcher chats with former Flagstaff County Agricultural Fieldman Harry Brook about the effects of heat stress on crops, in particular cereals and pulses, and how to maintain productivity under dry conditions.

Former Flagstaff County Agricultural Fieldman Harry Brook gets the not-so-sweet lowdown on what honey bees are facing – including some common diseases and the impacts of pesticide exposure – from Elizabeth (Liz) Walsh. Liz is a postdoctoral researcher at the Beaverlodge Research Farm in the Peace Region of Alberta, under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, where she works on honey bee health and disease ecology in Steve Pernal’s laboratory.

Dr. Syama Chatterton, a pulse crops pathologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge, and former Flagstaff County Agricultural Fieldman Harry Brook discuss pulse diseases.

Brent Hoyland started working at Flagstaff County on Tuesday, January 2, 1990, as Agricultural Fieldman. He retires Friday, July 29, 2022, as Assistant CAO. Brent sits down with Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna and looks back at his 32 1/2-year career at Flagstaff County.

Nick Dunn, Flagstaff County's new agricultural fieldman, discusses the extensive responsibilities and services of the Flagstaff County Agricultural Service Board. Nick, who recorded this episode recently while he was still serving in the role of assistant agricultural fieldman, can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca, or by phone at: 780-384-4138. For more information, please click HERE.

Flagstaff County Council is responsible for developing a plan to determine the long-term strategic direction of the municipality. The 2022-25 Strategic Plan contains Council's vision for the future of our Community of communities. Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna sits down with Reeve Don Kroetch and Deputy Reeve Howard Shield to discuss the plan. Flagstaff residents are invited to view the Strategic Plan on our website at: www.flagstaff.ab.ca, and then to submit their feedback via email to: publicinput@flagstaff.ab.ca.

Dr. Vern Baron, forage researcher with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lacombe, and former Flagstaff County Agricultural Fieldman Harry Brook broach the topic of climate change and the future of farming.

Megan Andre, executive director of the Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society (AWES), sits down with Flagstaff County Agricultural Fieldman Harry Brook and Assistant Agricultural Fieldman Nick Dunn to deliver a presentation on the restoration and maintenance of shelterbelts. For more information, visit the AWES website at: www.awes-ab.ca.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry insect technologist Shelley Barkley gives Flagstaff County Agricultural Fieldman Harry Brook the lowdown on insect surveys and which bugs are being monitored throughout the province.

Flea beetles, bertha armyworms, diamondback moths, cabbage seedpod weevils, crucifer root-feeding maggots, grasshoppers and the canola flower midge are among the biggest threats to a canola crop. Flagstaff County Agricultural Fieldman Harry Brook discusses these insect pests with bug expert Dr. Boyd Mori, University of Alberta assistant professor and NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) Industrial Research Chair.

Flagstaff County Agricultural Fieldman Harry Brook roots out some facts on soil fertility with Dr. Jeff Schoenau, a professor of soil fertility and professional agrologist who works in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.