Ag start-up challenge picks finalists
Finalists have been selected in the 2023 Thrive Global Impact Challenge.
Selected from a pool of more than 900 applicants from 87 countries, the 25 startups — 10 from the United States, three from Australia, two from Canada, two from Israel and one each from Spain, New Zealand, India, Brazil, Poland, Japan, Nigeria and the United Kingdom, will attend the Thrive Global Impact Summit in Silicon Valley Nov. 2.
The challenge is a global search for the most innovative startups that are advancing sustainability in agriculture and have technologies focused on four key themes:
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- soil health and biodiversity
- increasing food security
- reducing and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions
- water management and quality
Winners will be announced in each of the four categories, and winning companies will pitch their solutions to the summit audience.
Recognition awards will also be presented to the top female founder and people’s choice award winners in addition to the overall challenge winner.
Former FCL head recognized
Former Federated Co-operatives Ltd. chief executive officer Scott Banda recently received the Lifetime Co-operative Achievement Award.
He joined FCL in 2002 and was appointed CEO in 2010.
Under his tenure, the company made major acquisitions to diversify and broaden the co-operative sector in Western Canada in the food, energy, agriculture and home and building lines.
A recent example was the purchase of Husky fuel sites, which was the largest retail acquisition in the co-op’s history.
The company also created Co-operatives First, an independent, FCL-funded co-operative development and marketing organization with a grassroots focus on Western Canada and rural Indigenous communities.
Banda retired from FCL in 2022.
Angus sustainability recognized
JPM Farms of Parkbeg, Sask., operated by Jean-Paul and Marlene Monvoisin with their son Colton and daughter Josee Monvoisin-Garner, recently received the Canadian Commitment to Excellence award from Certified Angus Beef.
The organization said the award recognizes a ranch that sets a strong example for sustainable management practices and a focus on quality.
The Monvoisins emphasize viable sustainability and the environment and have a long-time partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada, it added.
The family was recognized at Certified Angus Beef’s annual conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, last month.
SaskCanola launches texting service
SaskCanola has launched an interactive texting service to allow it to communicate more directly with its members by sharing real-time, customized updates.
Farmers who subscribe can expect to receive:
- A weekly oilseeds market outlook report in which market analyst Marlene Boersch will provide an update on domestic and global influences on canola market prices.
- Canola Watch, a weekly canola production newsletter during the growing season.
- Event notices and urgent news/alerts.
Farmers will also be able to engage directly with SaskCanola by texting its dedicated number to initiate a two-way conversation.
To subscribe, text keyword SASKCANOLA to 1-877-241-7044.
For more information, contact SaskCanola communications manager Ellen Grueter at egrueter@saskcanola.com or 306-975-0262.
