Rural Alberta takes the spotlight | Category: | Editorials (Comments) | | Published Date: | 01/03/2007 | |
CommentsBy Janet Kanters - Rural Alberta and the tiny village of Andrew took the spotlight in December, when Ed Stelmach emerged victorious in the race to become Alberta’s 13th premier.
The MLA for FortSaskatchewan-Vegreville, Stelmach was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in 1993. He has held four ministerial posts: Agriculture, Food and Rural Development; Infrastructure; Transportation; and International and Intergovernmental Relations. Along with his Cabinet experience, Stelmach has served as Deputy Whip, Government Caucus Whip and Chairman of the Alberta Agricultural Research Institute (AARI).
Interestingly enough, all Stelmach’s previous posts and experiences lend themselves readily to the agriculture sector in Alberta. Time will tell if those experiences will help – or hinder – him in his leadership role.
What is obvious from his new Cabinet is the fact rural Alberta is well represented. The importance of agriculture in this province is well-known, at least to those in the industry. Perhaps this will reiterate this importance to our city friends, and to those outside the province. Again, time will tell.
Alberta Agriculture and Food not only has a new name, but a new minister – George Groeneveld, MLA Highwood. A new face in Cabinet, Groeneveld comes to the table with a long history of agriculture-related occupations and experiences. Look for our in-depth interview with Minister Groeneveld in an upcoming issue of the Alberta Express.
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Alberta/NWT Outstanding Young Farmers for 2006, Christoph and Erika Weder, along with sons Pasco and Nero, were recently awarded Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers honours.
The Weder’s own and operate Spirit View ranch, a purebred cow-calf operation located near Rycroft. There, they work in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada to protect native upland habitat, building dams and watering systems. They were also the first producers in the Peace Region to be certified under the nationally recognized Alberta On-Farm Food Safety Program.
The BSE crisis spurred innovation for the Weders and 17 other producers when they joined to develop the Prairie Heritage Beef brand, sold through Thrifty Foods in BC. On their operation, the Weders use rotational grazing on perennial legume pastures for eight months of the year. Cows on pasture are watered through five miles of pipeline with solar powered water systems. And they are branching into cattle grass seed and alfalfa seed production.
Completing its 27th year, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture. Open to participants 18 to 39 years of age, making the majority of income from on-farm sources, participants are selected from seven regions across Canada, with two national winners chosen each year.
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