NEWS FILE PHOTO
The front step of what used to be the Kirschenman home near Hilda. The province announced an assistance program for area farmers and ranchers on Dec. 20.
The province has announced it will establish an assistance program to help farmers and ranchers recover from the wildfire that ripped through the Hilda area in October.
A release from the government says the program is being set up through the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) where eligible farmers and ranchers can apply for an interest free loan to fund working capital, pay expenses and help replace assets.
Local farmer Andrew Kirschenman, whose family lost crops, bins, fencing, machinery and their home in the Oct. 17 fires, says the interest free loans are a step in the right direction.
“I am the glad the Government of Alberta has announced some form of relief for the wildfires,” said Kirschenman. “It’s a good start. I know from some discussions I have had with the various people the provincial government is not looking to change policy so they are looking to find programs already place that will fit into being able to respond to the wildfires. I think that is what they have done here… Some people would think it is not enough, which is very possible, but to me it’s encouraging something has happened with this.”
