Agricultural societies are part of the backbone of farm and rural communities. Alberta has seven regional agricultural societies in Camrose, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Olds and Red Deer, and they play a huge role in their surrounding communities.
Regional agricultural societies are made up of Albertans who genuinely love their communities. They develop educational programs, organize major community or special events and provide services based on community needs. They run major facilities like trade centres and exhibition grounds for their people to enjoy.
To determine how best to support regional agricultural societies and the work they do into the future, the Government of Alberta has hired Deloitte to provide recommendations.
“Regional agricultural societies are a huge part of Alberta communities and a lot has changed since they were established more than a century ago. We know they do great work. Now we need to understand their challenges and opportunities to better position our agriculture sector and rural communities for success.”
Support for regional ag societies
In Budget 2024-25, Alberta’s government provided $11.5 million for the Agricultural Societies Grant Program, including $2.8 million to regional societies. The government also provides funding for agricultural societies to make major repairs to infrastructure through the Agricultural Societies Infrastructure Revitalization Program. In 2023, 34 agricultural societies received a total $2.5 million.
The study will be funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s (Sustainable CAP) Resiliency and Public Trust program.
Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency in Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
Quick facts
- Alberta has 291 agricultural societies, the most in Canada.
- Alberta is the first Canadian province to declare a special day for its agricultural societies.
- September 21 is Agricultural Societies Day in Alberta, recognizing the hard work of these volunteer-driven, non-profit organizations.