Even the highest quality equipment begins to wear down over time. Fixing and eventually replacing that equipment can be expensive and difficult on farms and ranches. The same is true for non-profit agricultural research and extension organizations.
In February of 2024 the province of Alberta announced a capital grant as part of the spring budget for research and extension organizations, to be administered by the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA), which represents many of the organizations in Alberta. This grant is now in the process of being realized by the associations around the province, says Alan Hall, executive director of ARECA.
Research and extension works a little differently in Alberta than in the rest of the country, says Hall in this interview with RealAgriculture’s Amber Bell at the Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing in Edmonton, Alta.
With 12 different associations in the province, farmers are able to access information regarding different practices and technologies that incorporate the variabilities in soil, weather, climate and latitude at a local level, he says. Many of the associations run applied research programs, which require a full line of equipment, most of which has been depreciated out.
“We’re working right now with the various associations on pulling together the applications for the capital items that they want to buy, and then ultimately get the money into their hands,” says Hall.
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