The Government of Alberta is funding a new study to determine the best ways to support regional agricultural societies in the future.
There are seven regional agricultural societies in the province, including Red Deer, that work to develop programs, organize community events, provide services based on the needs of the community, and run trade centres and exhibition grounds for residents to enjoy.
“Regional agricultural societies are a huge part of Alberta communities, and a lot has changed since they were established more than a century ago. We know they do great work,” said RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. “Now we need to understand their challenges and opportunities to better position our agriculture sector and rural communities for success.”
In Budget 2024-25, the provincial government provided $11.5 million for the Agricultural Societies Grant Program, including $2.8 million to regional societies.
The study will be funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s (Sustainable CAP) Resiliency and Public Trust program.
Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency in Canada’s agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector.
The funding includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.