Pitching Future Policy Collaboration to the Federal Agriculture Minister

The Honourable Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, visited Farming Smarter’s research farm in Lethbridge to experience first-hand the value and impact of active collaboration in agronomy research. 

Minister MacDonald’s visit was part of a tour across southern Alberta ahead of discussions on the next Ag Policy Framework taking place in Halifax on July 16. Federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers from across Canada will meet to determine the top priorities supported by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership successor from 2028 to 2033. 

Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald (second from right) listens to Amanda Crook of McCain Foods (seen from behind) address how active collaboration between agri-food businesses and non-profit research organizations benefits the agriculture industry on a tour of Farming Smarter's research farm July 7.

“We want to be engaged in that conversation to ensure that there is a voice for groups like ourselves and the innovation we can accomplish, both in the primary production and value-added sectors,” states Farming Smarter’s executive director, Ken Coles. 

There needs to be changes that will encourage active collaboration and participation in this future framework, Coles continues. “I think the agricultural innovation system is working in silos rather than functioning as a whole.” 

Adding, “one of our goals is to help bridge some of those gaps and continue to ensure that Canadian agriculture is world-renowned, and that our farmers are very successful and sustainable.” 

Representatives from southern Alberta’s agricultural industry, including farmers, agri-business, and researchers, attended the Farming Smarter stop to showcase the value of collaborative research to Minister MacDonald. 

“I think it’s incredibly important for the minister to see first-hand the value and impact that we have. We’re pleased that he could experience this solution for rebuilding research and extension capacity, not just here in southern Alberta, but across the country,” says Coles. 

Coles sees the upcoming Ag Policy Framework as an opportunity for Canada to capitalize on the benefit of wide-spread collaboration. 

“Investment in agriculture has never been more critical, and Minister MacDonald reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the sector. We now have an opportunity for the country to not lose that capacity, and instead, transform it into something more effective,” he adds. 

The Canadian Constitution places agriculture under the duty of both provincial and federal governments, however the scale of our nation’s industry is massive. Just in southern Alberta, there are 14-million acres farmed south of Highway 1, including 1.7 million irrigated acres – which is more than every country in Europe. 

With that regional perspective in mind, Coles states a regional partnership with the federal government makes a lot of sense and will complement the work that’s done federally within all of their research stations. 

While visiting Farming Smarter, Minister MacDonald said: 

“Farming Smarter’s research shows just how much can be accomplished when farmers and innovators work side by side. This level of collaboration is exactly what keeps our agricultural sector strong, competitive, and resilient. Our government is committed to working with the provincial and territorial governments to ensure we are building agricultural policy framework that fits the needs of the industry.” 

“Innovation is what will shape the future of our agriculture and agri-food sector and Farming Smarter is a clear example of that future taking form. Strong partnerships between producers and agri-food companies drives growth across the entire industry. That’s how we build long-term, generational success.”