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Regina, Saskatchewan. (July 3, 2026) – The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) is celebrating the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) and the incredible producers who steward Canada’s native prairies with a national grassland mentor tour.
Starting in Regina on July 4, this three‑day tour will bring together producers, conservation organizations and grassland advocates to explore prairie landscapes, share ideas and learn from one another. It is an exciting opportunity for attendees to gain insight into sustainable grazing, conservation partnerships and the future of Canada’s native prairie.
The tour will feature hands‑on activities with tools which support sustainable grazing and grassland management presentations. Additionally, participants will enjoy producer-led demos and site visits in Saskatchewan’s Swift Current, Val Marie and Maple Creek and Alberta’s Bow Island, Brooks and Strathmore. A highlight of the tour will be a visit to Grasslands National Park which offers participants a rare chance to experience one of Canada’s most intact native prairie ecosystems. The park’s sweeping vistas, rich biodiversity and ongoing conservation efforts provide a powerful backdrop for discussions about sustainable grazing, restoration and long‑term rangeland resilience.
“Learning from producers and extension people from across the country is inspiring and exciting,” says Adrienne Hanson, CFGA's national grazing coordinator. “The CFGA Prairies team and partners are thrilled to share the work we have done in Saskatchewan and Alberta and the beauty of the grasslands.”
Another highlight will be the launch of the CFGA’s Advanced Grazing Systems (AGS) Brown Soil Zone sub-course. Designed specifically for producers in Canada’s brown soil zone, this self‑paced online course explores practical grazing management strategies which help improve pasture productivity while supporting healthy grasslands and resilient operations. Throughout the course, participants will dive into range management principles, grazing riparian areas, best management practices, brown soil grazing strategies and species‑at‑risk considerations.
Now in its final phase of review, the course will open for registration soon and will be delivered through CFGA’s mobile‑friendly learning platform. Its focus on soil health, biodiversity and adaptive management directly supports the CFGA’s engagement in the IYRP, a global observance declared by the United Nations to highlight the vital role rangelands and pastoralist communities play in food security, ecosystem preservation, climate resilience and cultural heritage.
For the CFGA, this recognition resonates deeply. Canada’s grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems in the country, yet they remain vital to agricultural productivity, wildlife habitat and carbon storage. The CFGA has long championed the stewardship of these landscapes and the IYRP offers a meaningful platform to amplify that work.
This commitment to protecting and strengthening Canada’s grasslands is sure to be reflected throughout the mentor tour, where the CFGA and its partners will showcase practical, producer‑led stewardship across the Prairies.
About the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association
Incorporated in 2010, the CFGA provides a national voice for all Canadians who produce hay and forage products and for those whose production is dependent upon forage/grassland production.
Media Relations:
Trudy Kelly Forsythe, Communications, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association
506-333-4260
info@canadianfga.ca
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