posted Mar 25, 2013, 9:52 AM by domain admin
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Verlyn Olson announced the signing of the Canada-Alberta Growing Forward 2 agreement. “Our Government is focused on the priorities of Canadians - jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity. This agreement is an important milestone in our continued efforts to deliver effective programs that farmers need to compete in global markets, while positioning Canada as a strong leader in agriculture,” said Minister Ritz. “We will continue to work together to ensure that targeted investments in priority areas benefit the entire sector through increased productivity, jobs and economic growth.” Alberta’s farmers and the agri-food sector will benefit from a $406 million investment provided through more than 30 new or enhanced programs focused on priorities like international market development, food safety, agri-business innovation, research and environmental management. This funding is part of the $3 billion Growing Forward 2 initiative announced in 2012 and highlighted in Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013. The five-year agreement with provincial and territorial governments supports innovation, competitiveness and market development in agriculture. “As the province’s largest renewable resource industry, agriculture holds tremendous potential,” said Minister Olson. “Through Growing Forward 2, we are providing our producers and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to build their businesses and further diversify Alberta’s economy.” Growing Forward 2 focuses on the future prosperity of the sector, with a more than 50 per cent increase in cost-shared investment in strategic initiatives and programs to strengthen the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Canadian agriculture. For more information about Growing Forward 2, visit www.agr.gc.ca/GrowingForward2. Starting April 2, producers and others involved in Alberta’s agriculture industry can explore the programs and determine their eligibility atwww.growingforward.alberta.ca. Background: Growing Forward 2 (GF2) is a five-year framework for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector that takes effect April 1, 2013 and will assist in strengthening the sector’s capacity to grow and prosper. It provides funding to deliver federal-provincial-territorial programs in a variety of areas including innovation, strategic initiatives and business risk management. GF2 builds on the success of Growing Forward, a five-year agreement expiring March 31, 2013. Federal-provincial cost-shared funding details
GF2 will invest in research, international market development and investment attraction, environmental stewardship, livestock welfare, farm safety, business management and skill development, traceability, food safety and biosecurity. Alberta producers provided input about where the money should be allocated to continue to build a strong and sustainable industry. Success of Growing Forward
Growing Forward funding has helped build the knowledge, skillsets, long-term viability and profitability of Alberta’s agri-food sector. Over the past five years, Growing Forward has allowed Alberta producers to increase capacity by purchasing equipment, commercializing products, expanding markets and investing in technological advancements like tracking livestock via smartphone technology. Alberta’s Growing Forward 2 focus
In addition to enhancing successful Growing Forward programs, GF2 introduces eight new programs and initiatives including: - Research opportunity and innovation initiatives to more effectively apply research findings in industry
- International market development and investment attraction initiatives to facilitate export market readiness
- Confined feeding operation stewardship program to ensure plans are developed to limit risk to water sources
- Agricultural watershed enhancement program to encourage wetland restoration and promote surface water quality
- Regional water supply program to assess and develop water supplies for producers
- Plant health and biosecurity program to ensure proper risk management strategies are in place
- Pest surveillance initiatives to develop tools or smartphone apps for timely identification and response to pests
- Livestock welfare producer program to provide education and improvement of animal care practices
Business Risk Management (BRM)
In addition to the $406 million investment in strategic programs and initiatives, GF2 continues to provide a variety of BRM options that are managed by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC). BRM programs offer protection against severe market volatility like rising input costs as well as disasters like hail, drought and disease. Producers can apply for BRM programs through their local AFSC office. Other program applications will be available online at www.growingforward.alberta.ca . |
posted Mar 6, 2013, 9:24 PM by domain admin
Article appearing in the Rocky View Weekly Feb 25, 2013 If practices do not change, Alberta could be a net importer of food by 2055. This was the stern warning Action for Agriculture (AA), a lobby group of Alberta farmers and ranchers, presented at a summit in Cochrane on Feb. 15. AA hosted the event to outline their concerns regarding growth, loss of quality farmland, diminishing water supply and the impact these issues will have on the province moving forward. The net result could be within the next 40 years Alberta won’t be able to produce enough food for its own residents. See the full article here |
posted Feb 25, 2013, 4:49 PM by domain admin
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updated Feb 25, 2013, 4:50 PM
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Harvey Buckley, our current President and founder of Action for Agriculture, was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. |
posted Feb 25, 2013, 1:40 PM by domain admin
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updated Feb 25, 2013, 1:50 PM
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Institute Awards Grants for Research in Property Rights, Wetlands and Agricultural Land Loss February 11, 2013: The Alberta Land Institute (ALI) congratulates three University of Alberta professors and their collaborators for their successful research grant applications. These grant applications resulted from the ALI’s September 2012 Call for Proposals. Beginning this month, the ALI will be supporting three research projects: - Professor Eran Kaplinsky and collaborators David Percy and Russell Brown for their project, Assessing Property Rights and Land Use in Alberta.
- Professor Peter Boxall for his project, Evaluating Mechanisms for Wetland Restoration and Retention in Alberta: Project Plan Development.
- Professor Scott Jeffrey, co-Principal Investigator Brent Swallow and collaborators Feng Qiu and Arturo Sanchez-Azofeifa for their research project, Economic Evaluation of Farmland Conversion and Fragmentation in Alberta.
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posted Feb 24, 2013, 5:57 PM by domain admin
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updated Feb 24, 2013, 7:21 PM
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Our 23rd Annual General Meeting and Video presentation was well attended
and received. Over 60 people came out to the Cochrane Ranche House to
elect new directors, watch the Food For Thought video presentation, and take part in the subsequent panel discussion. Alan Breakey and Bob Anderson were elected as directors for a 3 year term to replace departing directors Peggy Strankman and Kimberley Good. From left to right - Panel Moderator Gloria Wilkinson, panelists Eric Butt ers, John Kolk, John Cross, Kim Good
photo courtesy Enrique Massot |
posted Feb 6, 2013, 9:06 AM by domain admin
February 6, 2013
Edmonton... Albertans can now get information to help them with their property rights.
Alberta’s first property rights office was officially opened in Lethbridge on February 6. The office opening follows the appointment of Lee Cutforth as Alberta’s first property rights advocate and the proclamation of the Property Rights Advocate Act in December 2012. “Alberta is growing at an incredible rate, and it is vital that we strike the right balance between the rights of landowners and the need to expand our communities,” said Premier Alison Redford. "The opening of the Property Rights Advocate’s office is a vital part of my government’s commitment to landowners that their voices will be heard and their rights will be respected.” The creation of a property rights advocate and the opening of a property rights office was a recommendation of the Property Rights Task Force. Premier Redford appointed the task force in November 2011. The task force asked Albertans about their property rights concerns before releasing the consultation results in February 2012. “Property rights are incredibly important to Albertans and the new office will help Albertans to navigate what can be a complex process and find the best way to resolve their issues,” said Jonathan Denis, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. The Advocate is based in Lethbridge and was appointed to a three-year term following a competitive recruitment process. “I am committed to working with Alberta landowners to bring them accurate information on property rights and help them work through property rights processes,” said Cutforth, Property Rights Advocate. “My office will provide property owners with a mechanism to voice their concerns.” -30- Media inquiries may be directed to:
Michelle Davio
Communications
Justice and Solicitor General
780-644-3009
Michelle.Davio@gov.ab.ca
Twitter: @ABSolGen To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. |
posted Jan 16, 2013, 5:28 AM by domain admin
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23rd Annual General Meeting & Video Presentation: “Food For Thought” Media and Landowner Discussion Friday, February 15th, 1 p.m. Cochrane RancheHouse, Cochrane “Listening To The Land” Media and Landowner Panelists Barbara Duckworth – Western Producer, Calgary Craig Smith - Hills Spring Diane Finstad – Independent Ag reporter, Red Deer Eric Butters – Cochrane John Barlow – Editor, Western Wheel, Okotoks John Kolk – Picture Butte Kim Good - Carstairs The fee to attend the presentation is $25 for non-members and free for members.
for more information or to register phone Harvey Buckley – 403-932-5561 or mail the form below to Action for Agriculture, Box 382, Cochrane, AB T4C 1A6 |
posted Jan 11, 2013, 12:07 PM by domain admin
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updated Jan 11, 2013, 12:07 PM
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Food for Thought - New Solutions for New Challenges |
posted Oct 26, 2012, 4:38 PM by domain admin
Consultation for South Saskatchewan region begins next month
Edmonton... Work on a land-use plan for southern Alberta will focus on water, economic development and conservation needs. A new round of consultations in the South Saskatchewan region starts November 6.
The Alberta government invites the public, stakeholders and municipalities to offer input on recommendations made by an advisory council for development of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan. This is the second of seven regional plans that will be developed based on the province’s major watersheds. The Alberta government approved the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan, for Alberta’s oil sands region, in August. It came into effect September 1. “We must make smart choices about the way we grow to maintain all the advantages Albertans have - abundant resources, jobs and a beautiful and diverse natural landscape,” said Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Minister Diana McQueen. “We know that water and population growth are key issues that will drive change in southern Alberta. It’s time to hear what Albertans think about the advice we received from the advisory council for the regional plan. This is what long-term planning is about - making sure that we consult with all Albertans, including Aboriginal people and municipalities, at each stage in the development of a regional plan.” Public and stakeholder sessions will be held across the South Saskatchewan region, from Calgary to Cardston to Medicine Hat, from November 6 to December 6. Sessions will also be held outside the region in Edmonton, Red Deer and Drumheller. The 19-member South Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Council met 13 times across the region, between 2009 and 2011, participated in public information, stakeholder and municipality sessions and received more than 100 stakeholder submissions. Council members were selected for their broad experience and knowledge of the region and included landowners, business people and municipal officials. Other members of the advisory council brought a range of experience and knowledge including industrial, environmental, agricultural, recreation and aboriginal. The council provided its advice to the government in 2011, based on a government-supplied terms of reference that asked the council to explore the relationship between water, population growth, economic development and land conservation. Water, demand, access and infrastructure needs are critical to the development of southern Alberta and will inform the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan. The region comprises about 12 per cent of Alberta’s land base - some 83,774 square kilometres. About 45 per cent of Albertans live in the region which includes Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Airdrie. Albertans can also provide their input for the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan through an online workbook, available until December 21. The workbook will also be available in hardcopy at all sessions. The workbook, the Regional Advisory Council’s advice document, council meeting agendas and notes, along with other material concerning the development of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan and the Land-use Framework are available at www.landuse.alberta.ca Pre-planning for the remaining five regional plans is already underway. These plans will cover the North Saskatchewan, Upper and Lower Peace, Upper Athabasca and Red Deer regions. -30- Backgrounder: Consultation schedule for the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan Media inquiries may be directed to: To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. The following document has been posted to the Government of Alberta website to view this document online and/or additional information/backgrounder http://www.alberta.ca//acn/201210/331859D8E45A7-AA0A-B36E-1D2EB24F9CB37D0D.html No virus found in this message.
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posted Oct 25, 2012, 8:34 AM by domain admin
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updated Oct 25, 2012, 6:53 PM by John McMurray
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As part of Rocky View's Agriculture Master Plan they are seeking input on roads. Specifically, identifying levels of service and roads that should have an agricultural priority. The Count would also like producers to identify constraints for large loads. Please review the attached announcement. |
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