Issue 98 - Week of November 10, 2025

Hi Friend

Our office will be closed Tuesday, November 11 in recognition of Remembrance Day.

This week, our team is busy preparing for Gathering Ground — our big event happening this Saturday! Ticket sales have now closed, and no tickets will be available at the door.

If you’d still like to attend, please contact us directly to see if any last-minute cancellation spots open up. We’re looking forward to a great day of community, conversation, and connection.

The Soldiers of the Soil

This Remembrance Day, we honour not only those who served overseas, but also the Canadians who served on the home front: the farmers, families, and youth who kept our country fed during the First World War.

As men left for the front, farms across Canada faced a labour crisis. To keep food production going, the government launched the “Soldiers of the Soil” program, which sent more than 22,000 young men from cities and schools to work on farms. Each of these volunteers helped feed both the home front and the troops abroad — earning the title soldiers of the soil.

They weren’t alone. Across Ontario, thousands of young women joined the Farm Service Corps, known as the Farmerettes, taking on planting, harvest, and fruit-picking work to keep food moving from field to table.

Together, these Canadians showed that service takes many forms — in the trenches and on the land — and their efforts helped sustain a nation at war.

🎧 Hear the full story in Canadian History Ehx’s episode: The Soldiers of the Soil

ARECA Members Gather in Westlock for Collaboration and Training

This week, seven of the eight member associations of the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA) gathered in Westlock for two days of collaboration, professional development, and knowledge sharing. The event brought together research and extension staff from across the province to strengthen teamwork, enhance safety practices, and exchange ideas to improve agricultural innovation and support for Alberta’s producers.

The meeting began with a group discussion focused on improving safety for staff and cooperators. From that conversation came a commitment to develop standardized general training and to host future group safety sessions across ARECA member organizations.

The team then toured Gateway Research Organization (GRO)’s facilities and research fields, where they explored how site selection impacts research outcomes and shared strategies for aligning projects with optimal field conditions. In the afternoon, members visited the new Westlock Seed Cleaning Plant—now the largest in Alberta—to see how automation and modern facility design are boosting efficiency and production capacity. The day wrapped up with a visit to the Westlock Tractor Museum, celebrating the province’s agricultural heritage.

The second day featured engaging presentations on statistics and effective board engagement, followed by breakout sessions organized by role. Participants discussed shared challenges, exchanged best practices, and offered peer advice on common operational and project issues. The collaborative atmosphere reinforced the group’s shared mission to strengthen Alberta’s applied agricultural research network.

About ARECA

The Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA) is a nonprofit umbrella organization that connects Alberta’s applied research and forage associations. By supporting collaboration, shared training, and coordinated project delivery, ARECA strengthens the impact of on-farm research and demonstration programs across the province—helping producers make informed, science-based decisions that enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience in Alberta’s agricultural sector.

ARECA represents eight regional applied research and forage associations across Alberta:

Gateway Research Organization (GRO) – Westlock
Battle River Research Group (BRRG) – Forestburg
Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA) – Oyen
Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association (CAFLA) – Rocky Mountain House
North Peace Applied Research Association (NPARA) - Manning
Mackenzie Applied Research Association (MARA) - Fort Vermilion
Foothills Forage and Grazing Association (FFGA) – High River
Farming Forward Association – Sangudo

Together, these organizations conduct applied research and extension activities that empower Alberta’s producers to adopt innovative, sustainable, and regionally relevant farming practices.

Learn more about ARECA

💡 Did You Know?

You may be eligible for tax credits for on-farm research!

If you’re testing new practices, technologies, or management methods on your farm, you could qualify for federal and provincial tax incentives that reward on-farm innovation.

The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program provides tax credits or refunds for eligible research and development work — including projects that improve or adapt existing farm processes. Alberta farms operating as Canadian-controlled private corporations may receive up to a 35% refundable credit on the first $3 million of eligible expenses.

At the provincial level, the Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) offers additional refundable credits for R&D spending by small and medium-sized corporations.

Even check-off fees paid to producer commissions (like Alberta Canola or Alberta Grains) may qualify for an SR&ED tax credit if those funds support research.

🔹 Tip: If you’re interested in claiming these credits, talk with your accountant or tax advisor to confirm your eligibility and file the proper forms.

Farming Forward can partner with producers to help design projects, collect and analyze data, and share results — all while helping you access available funding.

Learn more about the SR&ED program at:

👉 Canada Revenue Agency – Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED)

Environmental Farm Plan Workshops

Get your Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) ready for year-end and upcoming funding programs like AgriInvest, RALP, and new 2026 opportunities. EFPs are valid for 10 years, so if you completed yours long ago, it may be due for renewal.

Join us for a free, hands-on workshop with an EFP technician to create or update your plan. Your information stays confidential — between you and your technician only.

📍 Woodlands County (Whitecourt) – Thursday, November 27, 9:00 AM

Yellowhead County (Wildwood) – Wednesday, December 10, 1:00 PM

💻 Free to attend, registration required.

Can’t make it to a workshop but have questions about your EFP?

📞 Contact us at 780-785-2222 or info@farmingforward.ca for support.

Gathering Ground – A Producer Development Day

📅 Saturday, November 15 | 📍 Westward Community Centre

Ticket sales are now closed. No tickets will be available at the door.

We’re looking forward to a full day of connection, conversation, and community as we bring together producers, researchers, and partners to share ideas and inspiration for the future of agriculture.

If you’d still like to attend, please contact us directly to see if any last-minute cancellation spots become available.

📩 info@farmingforward.ca | ☎️ 780-785-2222

📋 Have Your Say: Agronomy Resources Survey

The Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) is inviting producers and agrologists to share their feedback in a national Agronomy Resources Survey led by the University of Saskatchewan.

Your input will help evaluate the impact of publicly funded agronomic research and guide future investments that support Canadian agriculture.

Producers and agrologists are encouraged to participate.

Take the survey

Choosing the right winter feeding strategy: Pros & Cons

by Beef Cattle Research Council

Choosing the right winter-feeding system can make or break your bottom line. Learn the pros and cons of grazing, bale feeding, and more in this practical guide from BCRC.

Improving animal health and productivity with Agscent's breath analysis nano-sensors

by Innovation News Network

Agscent is bringing space technology to the barnyard with AI-enabled breath sensors that can detect cow pregnancy in just 30 seconds, no vet or palpation required. The same nano-sensor tech could soon help diagnose disease and monitor methane emissions on-farm.

Watch Here

Rescheduled!

Talk. Ask. Listen. – Mental Health Workshop

November 17 | 10 AM - 3 PM

Mayerthorpe Legion, 5111 45 Ave, Mayerthorpe

Join The Do More Agriculture Foundation for a free 'Talk. Ask. Listen.' session, an interactive workshop designed to help those in agriculture recognize signs of stress, start conversations, and support mental well-being in their communities.

Learn how to listen, connect, and take action to foster a culture of care in agriculture.

Alberta Beef Producers – 2025 Young Creators Contest

Alberta Beef Producers is once again inviting youth of all ages — from preschool to young adult — to take part in the Young Creators Contest! It’s a fun way for young people to share their creativity, passion, and knowledge of the beef industry through art, writing, and other challenges.

🎁 Prizes include ABP gear, cash awards, and even networking opportunities, with top entries featured on ABP’s platforms.

🗓️ Deadline: January 10, 2026

Learn More

Chicken 101 Workshop December 11 | Sherwood Park, AB

Thinking about starting or improving your backyard or small flock? Join Strathcona County for a free Chicken 101 Workshop at The Pointe Agricultural Event Centre.

Speakers Cassandra Kirkpatrick and Josue Romao will cover housing, feeding, and disease management, plus how to get involved with the University of Alberta’s Heritage Chicken Program.

🗓️ Date: December 11, 2025

📍 Location: The Pointe Agricultural Event Centre, Sherwood Park

💲 Free to attend — please register in advance.

Questions or ideas?

We’d love to hear from you!

We’re here to help with anything on your mind — big or small.

📞 Give us a call at +1 780-785-2222 (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm)

📧 Or reply to this email

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