(CALGARY, AB, April 14, 2015) – In an effort to enhance agriculture education and rural and farm safety programming in Alberta, Ag for Life Founding Members have extended their funding commitments over the next three years.
With a mandate to deliver curriculum-based educational programming that serves to improve rural and farm safety and build a genuine understanding and appreciation of the impact agriculture has on lives, Ag for Life funded programs reached over 50,000 Alberta children, youth and adults in 2014. “With Founding Member support we are able to continue expanding the reach of these vital programs into communities throughout Alberta,” says Luree Williamson, Ag for Life CEO. “We are able to do all we do through collaboration with stakeholders including industry, government, farmers, ranchers, community leaders and not-for-profits,” adds Williamson.
Ag for Life Founding Members include Agrium Inc., ATB Financial, ATCO Group, Penn West, Rocky Mountain Equipment, TransCanada Corporation, UFA Co-operative Limited along with Contributing Members AdFarm and Glacier FarmMedia.
“With a shared-value concept, programs are being scaled to reach deep into the roots of our communities,” says Doug Beever, Ag for Life Board Chair and Senior Director, Sustainability and Stakeholder Relations, Agrium Inc. “We see incredible opportunity for corporate Alberta to lead this new approach and to make sustainable improvements in farm safety and education,” adds Beever.
Over the past three years, Ag for Life has raised in excess of $4 million and plans to attract additional committed partners in the coming year in order to meet program demand.
Funded programs include Classroom Agriculture Program, Little Green Thumbs, Alberta Open Farm Days, City Slickers On-Farm Education, Growing Minds (Neubauer Farms), Alberta Women’s Institute Food and Farmers Project, Rural and Farm Safety Days, the Rollover Simulator Project and the Barnyard and Boots Program.
About Ag for Life
Ag for Life (Agriculture for Life) has a mandate to deliver educational programming designed to improve rural and farm safety while building public understanding around the agricultural industry. The organization brings together various sectors including agri-services, energy, financial and not-for-profit organizations, along with farmers, ranchers and community leaders.
Find out more at agricultureforlife.ca.
