Monday, June 25, 2007

Province provides AFC management and leadership fund a $500,000 boost

Lethbridge, Alberta – A $500,000 grant from Alberta Agriculture and Food will allow AFC’s Innovation in Agribusiness Management Fund to help more agribusiness managers further their training and fund other projects that advance human resource management and development, transition and leadership in the agri-food industry.

“This investment from Alberta Agriculture and Food will enable IAMF and the Agriculture and Food Council to continue to advance the industry,” said Amber Havens, Chair of the Council’s IAMF Action Team. “Through IAMF investment, Alberta’s agri-food industry will make significant strides towards dealing with challenges and opportunities that impact the industry.”

IAMF has supported industry growth and transition since 2002. To date, IAMF has committed more than $1.8 million to 34 projects, including the Alberta Agri-Business Network project and www.soiltosky.ca – Careers in Agriculture and Food which were both created and supported by IAMF investment.

The impact of the IAMF program is also evident in that more than 3,000 industry members have attended conferences that received IAMF funding; over 260 students have participated in IAMF-supported events; and 49 Albertans received funding through IAMF’s Advanced Leadership and Management Development Fund to attend educational programs.

Today’s funding announcement adds to previous infusions from the Government of Alberta of $1.4 million in 2002, and $1.5 million from the Agricultural Policy Framework - A Federal-Provincial-Territorial Initiative in 2004. IAMF has received additional funding support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD) fund.

The Council is a leader in Alberta’s agriculture and food industry. It is a unique agri-food industry agent with a vision for Alberta’s agriculture, food and life sciences industry to be globally competitive, profitable and sustainable. To help realize this vision, the Council has developed various partnerships with industry and governments. It operates a number of targeted programs and initiatives, and is increasingly viewed by industry partners as a catalyst for policy discussions on important issues and trends affecting the industry.

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For more information, please contact:

Leanne Fischbuch, IAMF Manager

Agriculture and Food Council

Phone Toll-Free: (866) 955-3714 ext. 228

E-mail: iamf@agfoodcouncil.com