By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on October 26, 2023.
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Alberta Grains has hired its first executive director after the former Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions amalgamated into a single organization. The interim board announced Monday it had hired Michael Flynn, a former head of Alberta FireSmart and Canadian Association of Petroleum Land Administration, to its top administrative post citing his experience with stakeholder engagement and government relations. “As the collective voice of over 18,000 grain farmers in Alberta, I think we can not only be the model association in the ag sector but also a champion in the not-for-profit sector with the combined strengths of our amazing staff, delegates and board of directors,” said Flynn. Determining the permanent board will take place in November at regional meetings, including Nov. 15 in Lethbridge (Region 1) and Nov. 17 in Strathmore (Region 2). Helium well financing Global Helium has raised the $3.5 million needed for exploratory wells it plans to drill near Manyberries this fall. The Calgary-based helium explorer previously announced the non-brokered placement of shares. The drilling targets are part of a farm-out agreement the company has entered with Perpetual Energy. Wind fund The Lanfine Wind power project has been commissioned with developer Pattern Energy marking the occasion by creating an endowment fund with the regional Community Foundation that will reach $1 million. Pattern Energy made the initial $75,000 deposit on Oct. 13 during a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the 35-turbine facility located near Oyen. The fund will benefit community groups and projects in Special Area No. 3 and the MD of Acadia Valley. The $330-million project was completed in July, and involved an estimated 250 workers. The company also announced this month that production from the 150-megawatt array had been sold under offsetting agreements with West Fraser saw mills for a period of 10 years. 13