Alberta announces new agriculture-focused non-profit

Mar 26, 2024

The provincial government in Alberta is establishing a new non-profit focused on agriculture research and crop development.

The Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC), based in Lacombe, is being relaunched as Western Crops Innovations (WCI), a non-profit with an interim board.

Officials say the new structure will help revitalize the organization, promote a renewed vision and better position Alberta to meet the needs of the agriculture industry.

“It’s an exciting time for crop research in Alberta. Western Crop Innovations will carry on the Field Crop Development Centre’s substantial legacy, ensuring its work is addressing the issues farmers are facing in the fields,” says Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson.

The transition will officially take effect on April 1, 2024. The FCFC’s current programming will undergo a review and where necessary, will be modified to make sure crop innovations support the needs of Alberta farmers now and into the future.

The interim board will be comprised of representatives from the government and industry. The board will lead WCI and the transition process. Officials say the new model will include integrated funding that connects government, industry and post-secondary schools.

The interim board members are:

Jason Lenz, chair
D’Arcy Hilgartner, vice-chair, Results Driven Agriculture Research
Fred Lozeman, former finance chair, Alberta Beef Producers
John Conrad, assistant deputy minister, Agriculture and Irrigation

The province says the anticipated cost of WCI’s first year is $3.5 million, with the government contributing $3.2 million.

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Video: A Farm Song (Busy) | Parody of A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey

Lyrics:

My days begin with workin’, Alarm’s at 5 o’clock,
I Fill 5 gallon buckets, The feeders and the troughs,
This five to nine ain’t workin’, why the heck do I work so hard?,
I can’t worry ‘bout health problems, I can sleep in when I’m gone,

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

I’ve been working pretty stressed but,
I ain’t changing for some cash,
Lord knows that I’m very blessed (More chores),
But I gotta say it’s hard,
Workin’ outside gettin’ charred,
Living out here on the farm, (more chores)

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history
There’s another 20 chickens that still need feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm getting’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Fun, here on ranch that’s what you can’t ignore,
Might be pretty hard but I love it to its core,
Flannel’s gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores (Tell ‘em sing with me)

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
Watching cattle in the dark, don’t miss me,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
(Yeeeeeehaw)
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
It’s the best bro, go get yourself a farm