The County is asking that all off-road vehicle and snow machine riders use extra caution when riding in rural areas. Many fields still contain valuable crops that farmers are planning to harvest. Recent snow cover has made the crops less visible and many offroad vehicle users may not be aware of the damage and loss they are causing by driving on the fields.

Sonja Raven, County Agricultural Fieldman, strongly encourages users of off-road vehicles and snow machines to be aware. “It is important to realize that our farmers’ livelihoods are out in those fields. We are asking people to be mindful and to respect private land as they take their off-road recreation vehicles out on the land. Please, ask for permission before travelling across fields.”

Due to an unusually wet growing and harvest season, farmers in the County of Grande Prairie and other parts of Alberta have been unable to harvest crops within normal timelines. The County recognizes the hardship this situation creates and the need to help spread the word to protect the crops. The County is taking several steps to help communicate including using advertising and social media.

Farmers can download a brief notice that can be printed off and displayed on their property at countygp.ab.ca/protectthecrops. County businesses that regularly serve off-road enthusiasts are encouraged to also help farmers by printing and displaying the notice in-store.

The County is also providing up to five free signs that farmers can post on their land to let people know there is stranded crop present. To obtain your signs, please contact the Agriculture department at 780-532-9727.

The County also reminds everyone, including off-road vehicle users, that regardless of the season, private land should only be accessed or used with the permission of the landowner.