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Hopes and dreams of a farm makeover will become reality on three Alberta farms whose operators were awarded a $10,000 Farm Renewal-Makeover Scholarship at AgChoices in Red Deer on February 15th.
The scholarships were awarded to Cherie Andrews, Chinook Honey Company Ltd., Okotoks, Troels and Laurie Hansen, LTH Farms, Fairview, and Keith and Ronda Reesor and family, Irvine.
The recipients demonstrated innovative thinking and creative ideas for growing and diversifying their farm businesses. Assistant Deputy Minister of Agriculture Brian Rhiness was on hand to make the awards. “The quality, innovation and passion in the applications we received were inspiring,” he said. “The winners expressed creativity, commitment and passion for our agricultural industry in Alberta.”
“It’s great that so many resources are made available through Alberta Agriculture,” says Cherie Andrews. “I was overwhelmed with the scholarship, and I’m excited about gaining access to the expertise of consultants.”
As well as substantial financial assistance, the scholarship also provides a one-day private consultation and farm visit with agricultural specialist Dr. David Kohl and a representative from Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services. They will assist with the development of plans and implementation of changes. Winners also received free participation in Growing Alberta events in 2006.
Owner/operator Cherie Andrews says she plans to expand the Chinook Honey Company and add a meadery (honey winery). Troels and Laurie Hansen plan to take their 1,600-acre grain farm to the next level. They want to make it a self-sustaining canola operation that provides feed and fuel for their operation and also sell value-added products off the farm. Long term, they envision turning their canola into biodiesel to run machinery on the farm.
Keith and Ronda Reesor and family plan to move into agri-tourism and foster awareness of western heritage history through ranchland tourism. They also plan to move further into organic production of their range and commodity products. The family ranching operation, including cow-calf and yearlings, has been certified organic for five years.
The other winners at AgChoices were the more than 120 producers who took part in the one-day conference to discover “what’s right on the farm.” The conference was made possible through the Renewal Chapter of the Agricultural Policy Framework – a Federal-Provincial-Territorial initiative. Renewal focuses on helping farmers to access their operation and acquire the skills and resources to improve profitability.
For further information on Renewal, please visit "Renewal Services" on Ropin’ the Web, or call Shari Smith, Program Communications Lead at 403-340-5375 or visit www.agr.gc.ca.
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