Alberta Agricultural Society Innovation Award

Smaller primary agricultural society

Edgerton Agricultural Society – The Edgerton Agricultural Society hosted a transformative mental health day featuring Ian Hill, who engaged community leaders, high school students, and residents with powerful discussions on mental health, resilience, and collective action, culminating in the formation of a 15-member Community Wellness Committee focused on fostering mental well-being through events and training.

Larger primary agricultural society

Colchester and District Agricultural Society – The Colchester and District Agricultural Society and Community League collaboratively developed an Edible Forest and walking trails on an 8-acre parcel at Colchester Hall. Featuring over 90 fruit trees and berry shrubs, the project promotes sustainability, local food security, and community-building by providing free, accessible produce to the community.

Regional agricultural society

Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition and Grande Prairie Regional Agricultural and Exhibition Society – Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition and Grande Prairie Regional Agricultural and Exhibition Society partnered to create a mini-series of events for Indigenous Celebration and Relay Races, providing a competitive and celebratory platform. This collaboration not only strengthened inter-community relationships but also established a regional circuit that enhanced the sport's profile and visibility.

Smaller primary ag society

KAC Agricultural Society – The ag society integrated a hydroponic food modular system Altario School's Agriculture Academy. This initiative addresses food supply chain challenges by offering the community year-round access to fresh and affordable produce. Additionally, it provides students with hands-on learning opportunities, fostering skills in entrepreneurship, agribusiness, innovation, technology in agriculture and research.

Larger primary ag society

Stettler District Agricultural Society -The ag society introduced the Community Kitchens program, playing a crucial role in supporting underserved residents within the community. The society provided its upgraded kitchen free of charge, becoming a catalyst for various new projects and opportunities for community groups, families and individuals.

La Crete Agricultural Society – The ag society introduced its Heritage Experimental Orchard initiative, which was established to boost the variety and abundance of fruit trees in the northern region, bolstering food security and supporting health, economic growth and food stability in northern Alberta. Over time, the project evolved to encompass experimental and educational aspects, with the potential for future economic benefits to the region.

Smaller primary ag society

Foremost & District Agricultural Society – The ag society collaborated with Foremost School to create an exclusive rodeo academy for students in grades 7 to 12. This academy is the first-of-its-kind for this age group and open to youth from outside the school district, as well as international students. It consists of a 10-week options class in the fall and spring, which has been integrated into school programming. During class students learn barrels, poles, roping, horsemanship and other relevant topics. The academy is positioned to have a direct, positive impact on the school and local community.

Larger primary ag society

Grovedale Community Club & Agricultural Society – In June 2022, the ag society opened a new community daycare, which is its first year-round, full-time staffed business. The facility has a capacity to accommodate up 20 children on a fulltime basis. It was completed in partnership with the MD of Greenview to respond to growing demand for daycare in the area. In addition to creating job opportunities, this new business honours the ag society’s commitment to support local families and keep them in the community.

Regional ag society

Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association – The association re-envisioned a retired event and focused on creating an environment where new business relationships could be forged in the local cattle and agricultural sectors. Their solution: the Cattleman’s Call. This new annual event includes bull shows, networking socials, an ag-business tradeshow and a showcase for breeding programs. It is set to attract hundreds of participants and generate business opportunities in the years to come.

Larger primary ag society

Calmar & District Agricultural Society – In 2021, the Calmar & District Agricultural Society and local curling club were gifted a piece of land to farm. Using donated materials, machinery, seed, fertilizer, crop insurance and a host of volunteers, profits from the harvest were distributed to the curling club and other Leduc County charities and organizations, resulting in a tremendous impact in the local community.

Rocky Mountain House Agricultural Society – The Society has been involved in the in-person Grade 4 Education Agricultural Tour for years. Due to COVID-19, a new approach was required, which resulted in the development of a series of agriculture education videos. These videos featured local farms and producers covering a wide range of topics from farm safety, equine safety and dairy, beef and sheep production, to information on 4-H steers. These videos have also been available to the public, and can be incorporated into future in-person educational programming.

Winners

• Smaller primary ag society: Bezanson Agricultural Society
• Larger primary ag society: Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society
• Regional ag society: Grande Prairie Regional Agricultural & Exhibition Society

Honourable mentions

• Ardrossan Recreation & Agricultural Society
• Eaglesham & District Agricultural Society
• Stettler Agricultural Society
• Crossfield/Madden Agricultural Society
• High River Agricultural Society
• Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association