DIDSBURY - Newly-announced provincial funding for the province’s 283 agricultural societies over the next three years could come in handy for local projects, says Craig Anderson, chairman of the Didsbury Agricultural Society.
Last week the province said a total of $11.5 million in funding will be provided to primary and seven regional agricultural societies.
Although it has not yet been announced exactly how much money each society will receive, the total averages out to be about $40,000 per society.
The Didsbury Ag Society operates the Didsbury rodeo grounds and conducts many community activities throughout the year.
There are a number of upgrade projects at the grounds that the new money could be used for, said Anderson.
“Hopefully we get lots,” said Anderson. “We could use the money for our activities and to maintain our facility. We’ve got a few renovations that we need to get done.
“We are trying to redo our bucking chute pens, for the roughstock during the rodeo. We’ve always got a few things on the go.”
Agricultural societies provide important community services across rural Alberta, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier said in announcing the new funding.
“I’m pleased that we can continue to support the vital work that agricultural societies do in our province to encourage growth in the agriculture industry and rural Alberta, and educate the next generation of farmers and ranchers,” said Carlier.
“Ag societies are our partners in delivering many community-centred initiatives, including Alberta Open Farm Days, farm safety education, trade shows, agricultural celebrations and much more.”
The new funding will help "build a strong, rural economy, a sustainable agriculture sector and vibrant communities" through rodeos, agricultural fairs, hockey and curling rinks and other community events, he said.
"This longer-term commitment ensures that agricultural societies can plan ahead and budget for the facilities, events and education they provide in their communities," he said.
Tim Carson, CEO of the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies, said more than 65,000 volunteers with agricultural societies help operate more than 700 community facilities, including many in rural Alberta.
The Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies is a not-for-profit, non-governmental, provincial association originally formed in 1947. It advocates and provides resources for the many agricultural societies in Alberta.
In announcing the funding for agricultural societies, Carlier also said the province is helping rural municipalities by supporting the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre.
“The centre provides funding, technical assistance and education to help Alberta municipalities address climate change and will use $54 million in funding from the Climate Leadership Plan to deliver multi-year programs for small-scale community generation, energy-efficiency upgrades for buildings, solar energy for schools and more,” said Carlier.
