BROOKS, Alta. — A legacy fund to honour the late James Hargrave of Walsh, Alta., is well on its way to establishment.
Members of the Alberta Grazing Leaseholder’s Association got an update March 7 during a meeting where Hargrave’s absence as chair was all too obvious.
“We just want to keep his memory alive,” said AGLA member Aaron Brower.
Hargrave, who operated Hargrave Ranching Ltd., died in an accident while fighting a prairie wildfire last fall. At the time he was AGLA chair and a member of other grazing and livestock groups and associations.
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His many interests will be reflected in the flexible nature of how money in the legacy fund will be awarded, said AGLA member Bill Newton.
He said members felt a scholarship was too narrow and potentially restrictive, so financial awards from the fund will be open to those with the objective of accumulating knowledge about grasslands, cover crops, soil health, land conservation and other topics in that vein.
The plan is to award funds annually to those “whose work in the beef and grazing industry exemplifies the philosophy James lived and worked by.”
“James had this incredible passion for grasslands of all sorts but in particular the native prairie,” said Newton.
A board has been established to work out the details of application and award criteria. Newton said they hope to have those in place by June and give out the first award by the end of the year.
Fundraising efforts have accumulated about $25,000, said Newton, and the goal is to raise $100,000.
Donations can be sent to the James Hargrave Legacy Fund, Box 179, No. 14 Village Lane, Okotoks, Alta., T1S 1Z6. More information is available by calling 587-435-4072 or emailing JHlegacyfund@gmail.com.
You can find a link to the James Hargrave Legacy Fund website here.
