One-time grant from Alberta government to help applied research associations upgrade equipment, facilities and infrastructure
Alberta’s government has provided a one-time grant of $3.2 million to 12 applied research associations across the province.
This capital funding will enable the research associations to upgrade equipment, facilities and infrastructure.
With the additional funding, the research associations will be able to address pressing capital equipment issues.
“Applied research associations play a vital role in supporting farmers and ranchers with top-notch research that helps improve and advance agriculture,” said RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, in a press release.
“This funding helps ensure associations can concentrate on providing research and extension to help our producers adopt new technologies and practices and improve their competitiveness.”
Applied research stations provide information from scientists and experts to help farmers and ranchers improve farming techniques. These organizations run learning and extension programs for producers and conduct research to discover farming techniques that improve crop and soil quality, manage pests and enhance sustainability.
The funding will help applied research associations to reduce operating costs and extend the life of their facilities, applied research and extension activities.
Ken Coles, executive director of Farming Smarter Association in Lethbridge, said in a press release that the applied research capital grants will empower organizations like Farming Smart to deliver substantial returns on investment by driving innovation and supporting the growth of value-added industries. Farming Smarter will be better positioned to enable advancements across Alberta’s agri-food sector, said Coles.
The associations can use the funding for activities such as purchasing seeders, tractors, swathers, irrigation equipment and research equipment.
The 12 applied research stations across the province are:
• Battle River Research Group
• Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association
• Chinook Applied Research Station
• Farming Smarter Association
• Foothills Forage and Grazing Association
• Gateway Research Organization
• Lakeland Agricultural Research Association
• Mackenzie Applied Research Association
• North Peace Applied Research Association
• Peace Country Beef and Forage Association
• SARDA Ag Research Association
• Farming Forward (formerly the West-Central Forage Association).