Alberta farm leaders meeting in Red Deer Feb. 7 agreed the old way of doing things is not good enough if producers are to prosper in the new marketplace.
“The status quo is not an option,” said Brian Heidecker, chair of the Alberta agriculture and food council, which acts as an advisory group to the government.
“We have to change things. We can’t continue to be the lowest cost producers of bulk commodities.”
Understanding the revolution that has occurred in the world marketplace and figuring out where Canadian agriculture can fit were key messages coming out of a workshop that is a precursor to regional meetings scheduled in March.
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Farmers and other industry representatives are invited to attend these meetings and talk about made-in-Canada solutions for making agriculture prosperous.
The intention is to go beyond current market situations. They can discuss land management issues, food safety, development of niche markets and further processing.
In addition to encouraging the industry to find its own solutions, recommendations will be made to the government on how to develop future agriculture policy in Alberta.
A final summit is scheduled for June 7-8 in Edmonton. The discussion will centre on plans and recommendations from the regional meetings. Recommendations will also be made to industry sectors with firm deadlines to carry out the plans.
The leaders’ workshop proposals seem to be in line with Alberta Agriculture policy.
Minister Ty Lund wants more diversification and value adding at home.
“We need to think of ways we can diversify,” he told reporters at the Red Deer session.
“In Alberta there has been a lot of diversification. Can there be more? I believe there can be.”
He hopes this series of meetings discover ways to link the primary producer to the processor and the marketer so greater benefit flows back to the farmer.
Regional meetings have been scheduled for Olds, March 8; Taber, March 9; Vermilion, March 15; Stettler, March 16; Wetaskiwin, March 17; Westlock, March 20; Grande Prairie, March 22 and Peace River, March 23.
