RJ Sigurdson

Agricultural societies play a key role in Alberta’s rural communities by organizing events and improving the quality of life for residents. Alberta has the highest number of agricultural societies in Canada, with 292 organizations. The Alberta government has announced a one-time funding boost of over $7.4 million to help regional agricultural societies manage rising costs…

The Government of Alberta has a new campaign, titled ‘Buy Local,’ encouraging consumers to support the province’s agriculture and food industry by choosing local products. The campaign aims to encourage people to buy from Alberta’s farmers, ranchers, and food processors who provide safe and nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians, and the world. Minister of Alberta…

Alberta’s agri-food industry thrives on exports, with the United States being the most crucial trade partner for both Alberta and Canada. In 2024, Alberta’s agricultural exports to the U.S. totaled $9.3 billion, reflecting a 4.3 per cent increase from the previous year. To emphasize the mutual benefits of cross-border agricultural trade, Minister of Alberta Agriculture…

PIP Lethbridge Inc., an ag-tech company specializing in yellow pea processing, received a $215,000 Sustainable CAP grant from RDAR in 2024. This funding supports the development of an advanced extraction method that maintains protein quality while removing the bitter taste and undesirable textures often found in plant proteins. In the next phase, PIP plans to…

Alberta’s government has introduced new legislation aimed at expanding and diversifying the agriculture sector while fostering the growth of the biogas industry. The proposed updates to the Bill 44: Agricultural Operation Practices Act are designed to reduce waste, enable farmers to use organic materials as fertilizer supplements, and attract investment that creates jobs. The act…

The Alberta government has announced the appointment of three new members to the Agricultural Products Marketing Council, along with the reappointment of three current members. Additionally, new chair and vice-chair positions have been designated. The council, a public agency, oversees agricultural marketing boards and commissions, ensuring they follow best governance practices. It also provides policy…

On January 29, 2025, the 41st induction ceremony of the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame was held at the Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. The Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame was created in 1951 to recognize outstanding contributions in shaping the progress and prosperity of Alberta agriculture. Since 1951, 144 men and women have been…

As the Feeder Associations of Alberta (FAA) celebrate nearly 50 years of service, they continue to provide essential loans to livestock producers in their communities. From January 30th to February 1st, the 45 local Feeder Associations will gather in Red Deer to discuss business and future planning. “By partnering in livestock financing, our associations have…

The Government of Alberta has made some updates to the Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit program, aiming to reduce red tape and streamline the application process for registered partnerships. As of December 10, 2024, registered partnerships can now apply using a single application when investing at least $10 million to build or expand a value-added agricultural…

The Government of Alberta has introduced new regulations aimed at ensuring responsible renewable energy development. These measures are designed to protect Alberta’s iconic landscapes, agricultural lands, and the environment for future generations. Over the past decade, Alberta’s renewable energy sector has seen rapid growth. However, the regulations governing this development have not kept pace, leading…