Join us for the 2025 Alberta Agricultural Society Conference, where industry leaders, innovators, and community members come together to share ideas, gain insights, and celebrate agriculture in our province. Explore the draft schedule below to see the exciting sessions, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities we have planned!
Pre-Conference Thursday, February 6th! Enjoy a day of free events designed to inspire, connect, and prepare you for the days ahead. From engaging workshops to networking opportunities, there's something for everyone to enjoy before the main event begins.
Lunch is included with this session*
10:00 – Noon: Zamboni maintenance (this will include blade changes, greasing the machine, general maintenance and proper driving procedures)
Noon – 1:30: Arena ice making and maintenance
1:30 – 3:30: Curling ice making and maintenance
If you have volunteered to help stuff Delegate Bags this is where we will meet.
AGLC offers the Gaming Information for Charitable Groups (GAIN) program to help Alberta charities better understand charitable gaming policies. GAIN provides essential information about the requirements for GROUPS that conduct or want to conduct charitable gaming activities like bingos, casinos, pull ticket sales or raffles. This presentation covers general charitable gaming information and will provide resources to contact AGLC departments about your groups specific needs.
Farmers’ markets are part of the fabric of our communities, providing a testing ground for our entrepreneurs and a gathering place for our communities. There are 150 Alberta approved farmers’ markets with more than 35% sponsored by agricultural societies. The Market Manager Training course is mandatory training for market managers in approved farmers’ markets. Join Eileen for this half day workshop if your Ag Society already sponsors a farmers’ market or you would like to learn more about the Alberta Approved Farmers’ Market Program. You will learn about the Alberta Approved Farmers' Market Program, the minimum requirements of approved farmers' markets, the roles of the various stakeholders, including the market manager, and learn the basic legislation and regulations affecting vendors selling at farmers' markets and the expectation for the market manager in enforcing compliance with legislation.
This is an invitation ONLY event. You will receive your invite from the office closer to the event.
Come join other Delegates for an evening of socializing (this will be the only hospitality room we have)!
Kick off the conference on Friday with Dr. Jody Carrington's keynote, expert workshops, grant tips, and a celebration of women in agriculture!
When a claim does happen - then what?
Discussion will be around:
-Ag Society responsibilities both before a claim occurs and once something does happen.
-What authority does an Ag Society have to act when their property is damaged?
-The claims process – actual cash value or replacement cost options.
-Partial claims verses total losses.
-What about loss of revenues due to a claim?
-Role of your broker during the claims process
For an insightful presentation on taking your fairs, exhibitions, and rodeos to the next level. Building on the success of last year’s talk, Jason will explore the benefits of using online ticketing data, practical digital marketing techniques, innovative pricing strategies, and emerging trends in the event industry. Discover straightforward tips and tools that will help your agricultural society manage events more effectively and provide a great experience for attendees. Whether you're new to online ticketing or looking to maximize its potential, this session is for you!
Are you a next generation farmer looking to grow your operation, a returning farmer eager to re-establish your presence, or an experienced producer exploring ways to diversify through agribusiness? Perhaps you’re an aspiring entrepreneur aiming to add value to your farm or start a new venture in rural Alberta.
This session will provide you with the financial resources and insights to support both farming operations and agribusinesses, helping you take your business to the next level.
We’ll guide you through the available financing options, focusing on the Next Generation Loan program for farmers and the Agribusiness Loan program for those looking to enhance their operations or start new businesses. Additionally, we’ll offer practical advice on navigating the loan application process and selecting the right financial solutions to meet your goals.
Whether you're expanding your farm, launching a value-added business, or entering the agricultural sector for the first time, AFSC is here to provide the tools, guidance, and expertise needed to succeed.
This session will provide an overview of the Alberta Agricultural Societies Program; provide key updates; and feature mini-breakout sessions where you can discuss questions or issues one-on-one with program area staff (e.g. annual returns, grant applications, bylaws etc.).
Fraud is the fastest growing crime in Canada, and it’s difficult to stay on top of the latest schemes that are rampant online and in our community. The fraudsters are technologically savvy and convincing, tempting you online, on your phone, in your mailbox and at your door.
Rural areas are a favorite target for fraudsters. Learn how to spot the most common scams and recognize the red flags. Discover the latest tactics and tips on how to keep your community from being victimized.
Canadians lose more than $500 million every year to fraud and only 5% to 10% of these crimes are even reported.
Consumer Protection Expert and Former Global TV Trouble Shooter and peace officer, Julie Matthews, shares personal stories and tricks to spot the latest scams. Bring your questions for an engaging Q and A session. Let's fight fraud together!
The future of Alberta's ag societies relies on the strength of their volunteer base. As the landscape of volunteerism evolves, ag societies must adapt their recruitment and retention strategies to attract and engage today's volunteers.
This interactive workshop explores preactical strategies to recruit, retain and inspire volunteers at the local level by aligning with their passions, showcasing impact and fostering meaningful connections. Participants will gain insights into building a volunteer experience that emphasizes purpose, flexibility, and value, ensuring long-term engagement and support for their ag society's initiatives.
Learning outcomes:
1. Understand Volunteer Motivations: Lean why today's volunteers are driven by purpose, alignment with values and measurable impact.
2. Develop Recruitment Strategies: Explore tailored approaches to attract diverse volunteers, including personalized opportunities and digital outreach.
3. Enhance Retention Efforts: Create rewarding and fulfilling experiences for volunteers through recognition, community-building and clear communication.
4. Plan for Success: Develop actionable steps to implement a volunteer recruitment and retention plan that ensures sustainable support for your ag society.
This workshop equips ag society leaders with the tools to adapt to changing volunteer expectations, helping their organizations thrive while strengthening their connection to the community
Solar Opportunities for Agri-Business and Ag Societies How does solar integrate with your facilities? What available rebates, grant funding and financing tools are available to you? What the economic model could be for your project.
Buddy up is a men's suicide prevention campaign which seeks to promote authentic conversations among men and their buddies. Three out of four suicides in Canada are men. By promoting authentic conversations, stigma can be reduced and men can be more willing/able to reach out for help. Buddy Up provides a friendly starting place of talking about suicide prevention. This presentation will discuss the following topics: Myths and Facts about suicide Why people die by suicide What is Buddy Up Conversation guide overview Open Question and answer period
A session on how to make the most of your grant application and getting everything right the first time. In this session Monika will go over Tips and Tricks to help you get your Annual Grant Application done right the first time to hopefully eliminate rework on your part.
"My Journey Home."- ride alongside Melody as she talks about the tips, tools, and connections she made that helped her come home to take over the family ranch and start the next chapter of her life in agriculture.
We are striving to bring farm safety into the 21st century utilizing state-of-the-art LED projection and interactive gaming. An artfully designed 3D farm comes to life and takes the audience on a journey through the dangers farmers face every day. The audience is brought into the show, answering data driven questions that display directly to their devices.
This program highlights the negative impact every day injuries have on farms, reinforces the positive impact safety training has, and concludes the whole experience with accredited safety resources and training program – ultimately bridging the gap and creating a seamless transition from awareness to action.
Come join other Delegates for an evening of socializing (this will be the only hospitality room we have)!
Saturday is all about diving deeper into discussions, connecting with peers, and exploring innovative solutions. Packed with engaging panels, hands-on workshops, and plenty of opportunities to network, it's a day designed to inspire collaboration and spark fresh ideas.
Delegate & Speaker Badges can be picked up in the AAAS Office
We will be moving Saturdays meals to the large Entertainment Centre
Will be out in the hallways when people come out of sessions
Helping young entrepreneurs start and succeed.
Effective leadership is paramount to organizational success. Where the magic happens is when leaders (not by title, but by attitude) at all levels of an organization can have positive impacts for themselves, for the people around them and for the organization. You can help!
Learning objectives
1. Leadership attitude, brand and impact; tools to help.
2. Intentional leadership is being laser focused on what outcomes matters most.
3. The art of curiosity and how it is shifting organizations.
4. Accountability, what it really means and what you should be accountable to.
5. Personal stories on those that are making a real difference.
Join Winston from the Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society to learn more about the 2 Billion Tree funding program through the 2BT Western Coalition and how you can access funds and expertise to help you succeed in tree planting initiatives. There will be a question period at the end and time to connect around how this program may fit your specific needs.
Your non-profit organization has a meaningful mission that deserves to be shared far and wide. But if you’re feeling uncertain about using social media to amplify your impact, this session is for you! Join us for an engaging workshop designed for non-profits, where you’ll learn simple yet effective strategies to boost your social presence and deepen your community connections.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
● Platform Basics: Discover which social media platforms best align with your organization’s goals and learn how to use them effectively to engage and grow your audience.
● Understanding the Algorithm: Gain insights into how social media algorithms work, empowering you to create content that reaches more people and resonates with your followers.
● Crafting Compelling Content: Master best practices for creating captivating posts that foster a loyal community and inspire your followers to take action.
Whether you're new to social media or looking to enhance your strategy, this session will give you the tools and confidence to make a real impact online.
Sure, you Google stuff all the time, but Google is much more than just search. Join us for a fast-paced hour long talk about how much more Google has to offer. From Contacts to Calendars, and from Gmail to Docs, Sheets and Slides, this class will give the participant a little taste of everything and show them how all the apps can work together to help them get the job done! We’ll even compare Google to Microsoft 365 and the iCloud, so you’ll have a few more tools in your toolbox!
Burnout, anxiety, and depression are real challenges facing the agricultural community. As an ag society leader, these pressures can be even greater as you balance work, family, leadership responsibilities with community demands. This 1-hour session offers practical tools to help you protect your mental well-being and build resilience in the face of these challenges. Using the Recharge Your Battery framework, we’ll explore daily, weekly, and quarterly self-care strategies tailored to the realities of agricultural life. Participants will learn simple, effective ways to manage stress, sustain energy, and create mental space to lead with confidence. This workshop speaks directly to the challenges of rural life, offering actionable insights to help ag society leaders prioritize well-being for themselves and their communities.
Learning Outcomes:
• Address Burnout and Anxiety: Understand the warning signs of burnout, anxiety, and depression in yourself and others, and learn how to take proactive steps to mitigate them.
• Create a Self-Care Plan: Develop personalized strategies using the Recharge Your Battery framework to maintain energy and resilience in daily life.
• Normalize Mental Health Conversations: Gain the confidence to talk openly about mental health challenges, helping reduce stigma within your community and ag society.
This session is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and take care of yourself—because strong leaders build strong communities. Let’s talk about mental health in real terms and create a healthier future for agricultural leaders.
A session on how to make the most of your grant application and getting everything right the first time. In this session Monika will go over Tips and Tricks to help you get your Annual Grant Application done right the first time to hopefully eliminate rework on your part. Please come prepared to ask questions. This session will be done in 2 parts to give her lots of time to answer your questions
Join us as we explore growing your region, exploring partnerships, and building a stronger community. This session will focus on the goals and opportunities within Open Farm Days, and what you can do as an Ag Society to support your region. Marketing and media insights will be included to help you realize what you and your region can start to do on a grass roots basis. We will also be sharing other local Ag Society initiatives to get you thinking about ways to get involved in the program.
Join us as we explore growing your region, exploring partnerships, and building a stronger community. This session will focus on the goals and opportunities within Open Farm Days, and what you can do as an Ag Society to support your region. Marketing and media insights will be included to help you realize what you and your region can start to do on a grass roots basis. We will also be sharing other local Ag Society initiatives to get you thinking about ways to get involved in the program.
In this session, we’ll explore the powerful role of visual storytelling for non-profits and how it can elevate your organization’s presence online. We’ll cover:
● Creating Impactful Visuals: A practical guide on using photos, videos, and graphics to authentically share your story, highlight events, and showcase your organization’s impact.
● Show & Share: Discover the difference between telling followers what you do and showing them with visuals that create an emotional connection and inspire support.
● Spotlighting Sponsors: Learn simple, effective ways to feature sponsors on social media, with examples and content types designed to increase visibility and engagement.
Join us to learn how visual storytelling can strengthen your brand and attract the support your non-profit needs!
Bench shows have a long history as part of many agricultural fairs. Community members enter a wide range of exhibits for friendly competition. The prime purpose of these exhibitions is to showcase the talents of the growers and makers with classes including horticultural crops, handicrafts, food, fibre arts, photography, and much more.
Big or small, a successful bench show takes careful planning and a team of people. Using examples from many Alberta fairs, this session looks at the key steps for hosting a show. Karen brings a combination of “ by the book”, show & tell, and participant discussion to her presentation.
Whether you have a well established bench show, are a brand new show convenor, or are looking to revive a show in your home town, you will leave with new ideas about the ways a bench show can bring fun, education, and engagement to your community.
Resources include a copy of Horticulture Bench Shows: A Quick Guide for Show Convenors
Effective leadership drives succdss, especially at the local level. This workshop is designed for ag society board members who want to improve their leadership skills and bring practical tools back to their boards. Participants will identify their leadership style - Energizer, Organizer, Researcher or Nurturer and learn ohow to apply these insights to create stronger alignment and collaboration.
This session provides tools and strategies to foster more effective communication and teamwork within your board. You will leave prepared to guide your fellow board members back home through the exercises, improving alignment and strengthening your ag society.
Learning outcomes:
1. Identify Leadership Styles: Discover your leadership strengths and how they shape board dynamics.
2. Foster Board Alignment: Learn to align leadership styles to improve collaboration and decision making.
3. Apply Locally: Gain tools to lead these exercises with your board to create a more effective team.
This workshop equips you to strengthen your board and drive greater impact in your community.
A session of meaningful fun, self awareness and how you can have better relationships with those around by understanding their natureal tendencies. In this fun and interactive session you will learn about: Learning Objectives: 1. Power of leading others based on their inherent tendencies 2. Importance of understanding self and your need to flex. 3. How understanding collective dynamics of a group can predict future behavior. 4. Strategies to creat better working groups of people
*We will be moving Saturdays meals to the large Entertainment Centre
Marketing Award Announcements - Photos of winners in Lobby
Burnout, anxiety, and depression are real challenges facing the agricultural community. As an ag society leader, these pressures can be even greater as you balance work, family, leadership responsibilities with community demands. This 1-hour session offers practical tools to help you protect your mental well-being and build resilience in the face of these challenges.
Using the Recharge Your Battery framework, we’ll explore daily, weekly, and quarterly self-care strategies tailored to the realities of agricultural life. Participants will learn simple, effective ways to manage stress, sustain energy, and create mental space to lead with confidence. This workshop speaks directly to the challenges of rural life, offering actionable insights to help ag society leaders prioritize well-being for themselves and their communities.
Learning Outcomes:
• Address Burnout and Anxiety: Understand the warning signs of burnout, anxiety, and depression in yourself and others, and learn how to take proactive steps to mitigate them.
• Create a Self-Care Plan: Develop personalized strategies using the Recharge Your Battery framework to maintain energy and resilience in daily life.
• Normalize Mental Health Conversations: Gain the confidence to talk openly about mental health challenges, helping reduce stigma within your community and ag society.
This session is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and take care of yourself—because strong leaders build strong communities. Let’s talk about mental health in real terms and create a healthier future for agricultural leaders.
Saturday Night Gala THEME: Dress as Your Favourite Decade
Alberta’s agricultural societies aren’t just organizations—they’re places where lives are changed, including my own. Over the past 20 years, I’ve seen firsthand the remarkable things you and your societies have accomplished.
I’ve witnessed how you bring people together, foster innovation, and create opportunities that ripple across entire communities. Collectively you’ve had a profound impact on my life, and through my eyes, I’ve seen the incredible power you hold to transform others...simply put, you are the stewards of something extraordinary
As we close this year’s conference, we celebrate this legacy and the extraordinary dedication that has built it. But this keynote is also a call to action—a challenge to ignite the potential of what comes next. Your society holds the power to lead with vision, adapt with courage, and inspire future generations. The work you do isn’t just important—it’s vital to the strength and spirit of Alberta.
Let’s celebrate what’s been built and ignite what comes next. The future of Alberta’s agricultural societies starts with you, and it starts now.
Come join other Delegates for an evening of socializing. This will be the only hospitality room we have.
