The Olds and Red Deer agricultural societies will each receive $142,850 from the provincial government as part of announced $2 million in funding to ag societies around the province.The announcement was made Friday at an Agricultural Services Board conference in Edmonton.A total of 10 per cent of the funds must be used directly for agricultural youth leadership development, such as scholarships, training or youth development activities.In making the announcement, Evan Berger, minister of agriculture and rural development, said part of the strategy is to lower the average age of farmers across the province. Currently, it stands at 51.“We need to change that. This additional funding of $2 million will help support local programs that encourage our youth to become involved in our agricultural industry,” he said.Olds and Red Deer are among the seven regional agricultural societies to receive the funding, along with Grande Prairie, Camrose, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge.In 2010, each primary agricultural society around the province received a one-time grant of $2,500 from the provincial government to go toward farm safety events and activities in local communities. Projects ranged from ad campaigns to safety plans and initiatives, incorporating farm safety in 4-H programs and trade show booths.The government said the funding was successful in increasing awareness of the importance of farm safety and it is believed the same success can be achieved in helping develop the next generation of producers, leaders and entrepreneurs in agriculture.
