Volunteer awards open
Nominations are being taken until June 30 for Alberta’s Recreation Volunteer Recognition Awards.
The awards are presented to four Albertans who have made significant contributions to recreation in a community, or otherwise advanced the development of recreation in Alberta.
The awards, sponsored by Alberta Culture and Tourism since 1977, have recognized 221 Albertans to date.
All nominations must be accompanied by an endorsement from the local municipal council or a recreation or community services director (or equivalent).
Environmental stewardship
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The 2017 Manitoba Excellence in Sustainability Award (Water and Natural Area Stewardship category) was awarded to the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures.
Manitoba Beef Producers also earned an honourable mention for its role with the Species at Risk Partnership on Agricultural Lands initiative.
Pastures and haylands managed for cattle represent the largest source of natural habitat in Manitoba’s agricultural region.
Where bison once grazed and maintained natural grasslands, cattle now help protect and maintain the natural ecosystem.
The association’s work helps provide environmental protections to more than 350,000 acres of grassland in 20 pastures.
Honorary diploma
Ron Helwer will receive an honorary diploma in agribusiness from Assiniboine Community College during its graduation ceremonies June 14.
The Brandon agricultural entrepreneur and his family have owned and operated Shur-Gro Farm Services since 1968.
They bought Munro Farm Supplies in 1990 and a majority stake in South East Seeds in 2017. Mr. Helwer is president of all three companies. Many of the hundreds of high-skilled jobs he employs are filled by graduates of the Brandon-based college.
Shur-Gro offers financial help to employees who wish to further their education and provides scholarships at Assiniboine.
Helwer was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2014.
