Back row, left to right: John Van Driesten, Joey Nafziger, Tyler Airth, Rob Siewert, Gene Hrabec, Margaret Burton, Janine Paly. Front row left to right : Jennifer Lutz, Bob Chrenek, Tietsia Huyzer, and Linda Hunt.
November 17, 2025 was the first meeting of the newly elected Agricultural Service Board Provincial Committee. Congratulations to Rob Siewert, Bob Chrenek, Gene Hrabec, Tietsia Huyzer, and John Van Driesten for being elected for a second 2 year term. Welcome to Jennifer Lutz, Joey Nafziger, Margaret Burton, Janine Paly and Tyler Airth to their first term on the Committee.
The Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Provincial Committee was formed in 2005 to meet with the Minister on an annual basis to review the responses to the resolutions approved at Provincial ASB Conference and discuss matters of concern to ASBs. This Committee is recognized as a valuable resource to the province and meets with the Minister 2-3 times per year and has been consulted on the development of key initiatives.
The Purpose of the Committee is to achieve a collective voice for Agricultural Service Boards across Alberta that would facilitate and represent both the diversity and commonalities of ASBs. Additional objectives include:
- Facilitate communication to ASBs about current issues and government policy
- Provide input and context for policy and program review and development
- Elevate the significance of ASBs
South Region Representative and Alternate:
Rob Siewert serves as the Reeve of Foothills County and Chair of the Agricultural Service Board Provincial Committee. A lifelong resident of the region and a strong advocate for rural communities, he brings extensive experience in municipal governance, land stewardship, and agricultural leadership. Rob is committed to advancing practical, balanced policies that support Alberta’s producers while preserving the long-term health of the province’s agricultural landscapes.
John Van Driesen is the South Region Alternate and elected councilor for MD Willow Creek. A committed municipal leader since 2017, John has served as Chair of his local Agricultural Service Board for six years and as an alternate on the ASB Provincial Committee for the past five years, bringing a strong passion for rural governance and agricultural advocacy. He has dedicated his life to agriculture, beginning with managing his family’s dairy farm in the early 1990s until its sale in 2019. He now operates a feedlot business with his sons, which has expanded to include a facility in Pincher Creek.
Central Region Representative and Alternate:
Jennifer Lutz is the Central Region Representative and elected councilor for Mountain View County. Jen is an experienced professional in Alberta’s agriculture community, contributing strong organizational, policy, and stakeholder-engagement skills to provincial initiatives. She brings a grounded understanding of rural issues and a commitment to strengthening programs that support farmers and municipalities.
Tietsia Huyzer is coming back for another term as the Central Region Alternate. Tietsia has been a member at large for Mountain View County ASB for 5 years and was the chair in 2025. With her background in dairy, she is passionate about the intensive livestock industry and brings that view to the table. “The ASBPC has given me the opportunity to network and learn about our relationship with the government and how to properly bring the agricultural issues and concerns to the attention of those that solve problems”.
North East Regional Representative and Alternate:
Joey Nafziger is joining the Committee for the first time as the North East representative. He is serving his second term on the County of Minburn council after first being elected in 2021. Born and raised south of Mannville, Joey brings 26 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and operates a business specializing in oilfield construction, reclamation, and environmental earthworks. In 2023, he returned to grain farming to ensure his family’s operation continues for future generations.
Gene Hrabec is serving his second term as the North East Alternate. Gene is serving as reeve in his fourth term on Beaver County Council, and is the District 5 Director for RMA. He has chaired the Beaver County ASB for eight years and remains deeply involved in his community, supporting education initiatives, the Agricultural Society, and the Royal Canadian Legion. A mixed farming operator and strong advocate for AgKnow and agricultural education, Gene brings extensive leadership and agricultural experience to his role.
North West Region Representative and Alternate:
Margaret Burton is elected as the Regional Representative and has been serving for the past two years as a Member-at-Large on the County of Barrhead ASB. Margaret was raised on a cattle ranch in the southern Alberta foothills and has built a lifelong career in agriculture across Canada and Australia. Since 1994, she and her husband have operated a commercial cattle operation in central Alberta. She brings a passion for sustainable practices and agricultural innovation.
Janine Paly is as the Alternate for the North West, and is starting her second term on Thorhild County council. Janine Paly operates a mixed farm in Thorhild County with her family and serves as a Councillor and Vice-Chair of the Thorhild County ASB. With a strong background in sustainable agriculture and past service as a board member for the Alberta Wheat Commission and Vice-chair of Gateway Research Organization, she brings practical farming experience and a commitment to advancing resilient agricultural practices across Alberta.
Peace Regional Representative and Alternate:
Bob Chrenek Is the Representative for the Peace and is currently serving his second term on the County of Grand Prairie Council as Deputy Reeve. Bob is a third-generation farmer dedicated to preserving Alberta’s rural heritage. He operates a family farm focused on canola, malt barley, and peas, and brings strong municipal leadership experience through his roles as Councillor, and Chair his local ASB.
Tyler Airth is the Alternate for the Peace Region. He is currently reeve and has been serving on the Big Lakes County Council and ASB since 2021. Tyler is a mixed farmer and owner of a construction company specializing in reclamation and remediation within the oil and gas sector, as well as forestry operations. He brings extensive experience in agriculture, industry, and governance to his role on the ASB Provincial Committee.
Ex-Officio Members:
None voting members of the Committee include representatives from the AAAF, RMA and the ASB Program staff from the province.
The new RMA representatives have yet to be appointed.
Linda Hunt PAg, Executive Assistant to the Committee
Stephen Bevans, AAAF member for Cardston County
Dawn Fortin, AAAF member for Woodlands County
Kerrianne Koehler-Munro, ASB Program Manager, Government of Alberta
Stephanie Cerny, Recording Secretary, Government of Alberta
Links:
About ASB Provincial Committee
Discover more from Agricultural Service Boards
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