Agriculture

Lethbridge & District Exhibition is a pillar in the Lethbridge community. As a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1897, it operates and maintains seventy-two acres of land on the east bank of Henderson Lake and exists to ensure that the people of Lethbridge and district have a community gathering place now and in the future at which to participate in events, conduct business, learn, and be entertained.

Agriculture is an important sector of Canada’s economy supplying the much larger food production and processing industries. The Alberta Federation of Agriculture is Alberta’s largest producer funded general farm organization.

Canada has traditionally been a major exporter of both agricultural commodities, technology, equipment and food. Yet, in many ways, Canada’s position in global food exports indicates good potential for growth.

The United States has repeatedly indicated that a key tension in NAFTA renegotiations is Canada’s continued protection of dairy, poultry and egg producers.

The Board of Directors of Lethbridge and District Exhibition approved a development plan for Exhibition Park that represents 3 years of comprehensive examination, including a financial review, facility condition audit of all buildings, needs and market assessments, and a multiple accounts evaluation framework study to arrive at the preferred site for redevelopment.

Considering Western Canada’s continued dependence on crude and semi-processed resource exports, it could be argued that Albertans ought to find more sustainable and profitable ways to process their natural resource wealth.

Emerging super-power or developing country? Communist dictatorship or economic miracle of free-market enterprise? What’s happening in China and what’s been going on since Chairman Mao’s successor Deng Xiaoping declared in 1985, that “it’s okay for some people to get rich first”?

What started twenty plus years ago as a regional eco-gastronomic movement in northern Italy has grown to become a world wide peaceful revolution for change with over 100,000 members in 160 countries.

Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada’s biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to farmers.

Arguments for supporting the family farm appear to be plentiful among both urban and rural folks. However, paying more for food is not one of them.

Alberta continues to experience rapid economic growth, particularly in the southern part of the province. The demands of that growth on the available water supply are becoming exceedingly difficult to manage.

Exhibition Park has been part of Lethbridge for over a century. In 2007, it estimates that it contributed more than $80 million dollars to our local economy and provided entertainment and knowledge to over 850,000 visitors.

When the agricultural research centre was founded 100 years ago, one of the first priorities was planting trees. This visual essay looks back over that century, using tree planting as a metaphor for the goals pursued.

When the agricultural research centre was founded 100 years ago, one of the first priorities was planting trees. This visual essay looks back over that century, using tree planting as a metaphor for the goals pursued.

The role of the Canadian Wheat Board is being challenged by the Harper Government. There are implications for the future of grain farming and the security of the Canadian food supply.

Ted Haney, President of the Canada Beef Export Federation, will talk about Canadian beef exports and the international export marketplace today: the access status of key markets, the Canadian industry'’s export goals – and how Canadian beef is positioned to build demand and differentiate itself from the competition.