FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ORGANIC ALBERTA LAUNCHES EXCITING NEW PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE HOLISTIC SUPPORT TO ORGANIC FARMERS IN THE PEACE REGION OF ALBERTA
Edmonton, AB, February 26, 2024 – Commencing January, 2024 and running until December 2025, the Peace Region Organic Success Program (PROSPr) will provide holistic support to organic farmers in the Peace region of Alberta. PROSPr has been made possible through a partnership with Clif Bar, who will contribute $298,000 USD to the program over its two-year duration. The program will be run by Organic Alberta, a non-profit association that represents, supports, and grows organics in Alberta through leadership, networking, education, communication, and advocacy.
The Peace Region of Alberta plays a key role in organic oat production, distinguished by the superior quality and volume of oats grown in Canada, and distributed both locally and globally. PROSPr will work with regional partners, industry, and counties to build a resilient agricultural sector and provide support to continue growth in the region.
“The Peace Region Organic Success Program (PROSPr) recognizes the valuable contribution of the Peace Region to domestic and international organic markets. Working side by side with farmers, industry, and regional stakeholders, PROSPr will help build the resilience that is needed for ongoing success and future growth of organics in Alberta”, says Iris Vaisman, Executive Director at Organic Alberta.
The program will utilize the key principles of regionally adapted solutions to create resources tailored to local growing conditions, markets, and communities; a holistic approach to provide farmers with the right tools in agronomy, marketing, and community well-being; and collaborative work among stakeholders to ensure local commitment, and long-term resilience. An additional component of the program will be the hiring of an organic agronomist, a unique opportunity to provide farmers with tailored and specialized on-farm support.
“The Peace Region’s important contribution to agriculture is often understated. I’m very excited to see a well-known brand like Clif Bar recognize and support our capability to produce some of the world’s best quality organic oats. Farmers and industry can all gain from this collaboration” says Pierre Fillion, an organic producer in the Peace Region.
The Peace Region Organic Success Program builds off the success and relationships formed through the Mackenzie County Organic Success Programs (2018-2022), which worked to support agricultural and agri-food entrepreneurs in the region to diversify into organic production and build practical agronomic and market information to diversify production.
A key supporter and regional partner of Organic Alberta, The Mackenzie Applied Research Association (MARA) will continue to work closely with the organization and expand support and capacity for farmers in the Peace Region.
“PROSPr aims to bring prosperity and resilience in the organic farming systems in the Peace region and would help in enhancing the efficiency of organic systems along with marketing strategies while considering environmental sustainability. It will help strengthen the ground further, for collaboration of diverse groups of stakeholders including public, private and producers for the continuing success of Organic farming in the region” says Naveen Arora, Research Manager at MARA.
Scheduled to conclude at the end of December 2025, the program aims to strengthen Alberta’s organic sector, recognizing the vital role of organic farmers in the region’s agricultural landscape.
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Organic Alberta
Iris Vaisman, Executive Director
Organic Alberta
780-932-2534
iris.vaisman@organicalberta.org