Ag societies get boost from province during announcement in Medicine Hat

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on April 25, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Recognizing the vital role of agricultural societies within the province, the government of Alberta is committing $7.4 million to ensure their presence for years to come.

With 292 organizations, there are more agriculture societies in Alberta than any other province. Seven of these societies are recognized as regional societies, including Medicine Hat’s Exhibition and Stampede, where the announcement was hosted on Thursday.

“It’s hard to overstate the impact regional agricultural societies have on rural Alberta. From event organizing to infrastructure upkeep, they energize folks and bring communities together,” said Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson. “This funding will ensure our regional agriculture societies are able to keep up their good work and continue to be pillars of their communities.”

This one-time cash injection to the seven regional societies includes $4 million to help manage current cost pressures, and nearly $2.9 million to support projects that will help these organizations move toward more sustainable operating models, says Sigurdson.

To help with these efforts, agriculture and irrigation will hire a contractor to help with business transformation efforts.

“All of this is over and above the regular annual operating funding of $2.8 million shared between the seven regional ag societies,” said Sigurdson. “We’ve talked to the regional ag societies about this funding and how it will position them and their communities they serve for success, because simply put, an investment in rural communities pays off for the entire province.”

The Ministry will be engaging with its primary agriculture societies in the future, to determine the best way to support them as well. Sigurdson stressed the importance of these organizations to their communities, and their impact as both social and economical drivers in their areas.

“The next step will be engaging with our primary societies and having conversations with them, and taking a look at the future and what that means, and understanding the challenges they’ve also faced over the past few years as well,” said Sigurdson.

Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede general manager Ron Edwards expressed gratitude on behalf of the organization, stating they were pleased to have the province listen to concerns and step in to help them do what they do best.

“We work very, very hard to bring rural and urban together, and without your help, we would not be able to do it,” said Edwards. “So we thank you. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your input, and again, we look forward to working with you in the future.”

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