RED DEER COUNTY – The woman at the helm of the Jungle Farm north of Innisfail has been awarded for helping to shape agriculture in Alberta.
Leona Staples was one eight people recognized recently by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) for a Women in Ag Award.
The 2025 Women in Ag Awards were presented during The Notables, a special reception on March 16 in Calgary.
The event was held in conjunction with the 2025 Advance Women in Agriculture West Conference.
“This year’s Women in Ag Award recipients are breaking down barriers, setting new expectations and bringing fresh ideas and practices to the agriculture industry. Together, they remind us of the power of mentorship, innovation, and community in shaping the future of this industry,” AFSC noted in announcing the recipients. They include:
• Josie Pashulka, The Operator
• Janice Wirsta, The Ignitor
• Sheri Strydhorst, Professional Leader
• Mariana Guerra-Maupome, The Promoter
• Nikki Peltzer, The Community Builder
• Kendra Donnelly, The Maverick
• Amanda Elzinga-Pugh, The Rising Star
• Leona Staples, The Notable Lifetime Achiever
Staples is a described by AFSC as legacy-builder. She was unable to attend the event as she and her husband Blaine are walking the Camino Trail through Portugal and Spain.
“This is an amazing award and I’m very proud to receive it in recognition of all the achievements from everyone who went before me on our fifth-generation family farm!" Staples said in a prepared statement.
As the co-owner and operator of The Jungle Farm, Staples has spent decades fostering agriculture education, agritourism, and business mentorship.
Her farm welcomes over 30,000 visitors each year, ensuring that consumers understand the importance of agriculture and local food production, according to her AFSC bio which adds that her influence extends far beyond her farm.
“She has been a steadfast advocate for women in agriculture, ensuring that women have opportunities to lead, grow, and succeed. She served on the Olds College Board of Governors, helping shape education for future generations of agricultural professionals, and played a key role in launching the Calgary Farmers’ Market, a now multi-million-dollar enterprise that has helped countless small businesses and farmers thrive,” her AFSC bio reads.
She has also spent more than 30 years as part of the Innisfail Growers Cooperative, a pioneering collaboration that has helped farm families remain viable, profitable, and connected to their communities.
“But what sets Leona apart is her commitment to mentorship and education. Whether through 4-H, school programs, business development, or industry leadership, she has dedicated her career to ensuring others have the tools and knowledge they need to succeed,” the AFSC bio says.
“Leona leads by example—she invests in people, builds communities, and uplifts the next generation. She is an advocate, an innovator, and a mentor whose impact will continue to shape the industry for years to come.”
