The Canadian Angus Foundation looks to its past and future.
Formed as a charitable society in 1993, the foundation works to preserve the breed’s history and to mentor young people, said Cecilie Fleming, chair of the fundraising committee.
The foundation is building a museum and archives at the national Angus office in Calgary. The breed came to Canada about 150 years ago and foundation members are looking for pictures and memorabilia to honour the pioneers and preserve Canadian history.
“Angus was not always that popular and the pioneers in the breed had the tenacity to stay the course,” Fleming said.
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The foundation also hopes to pass that appreciation to the next generation, where people under 21 are supported through scholarships and taught about marketing, business management, showmanship and public relations.
There is also a support program to help those in the 22 to 30 year age group as they move from the junior to adult programs.
Life skills are also taught.
“It’s not only cows, we are building citizens,” said Fleming.
“We want the cream of the crop to rise in life no matter what they do later.”
The foundation also sponsored an Angus Ambassador program where four people between the ages of 18 and 21 have been selected since 2005 to travel the country and promote the breed.
They are Matt Fleury of Saskatchewan, Catherine Colodey of Prince Edward Island, Ricki Fleming of Alberta and Jarret Pernarowski of Manitoba.
The organization received a boost when the World Angus Forum sale July 14 earned $21,000 for the foundation when breeders donated sale calves to support the program.
