Exhibitions, stampedes and other events hosted by agricultural societies are crucial to rural Alberta communities, agriculture minister RJ Sigurdson said Thursday. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

PROVINCIAL

Ag societies, facing tough economy, receive $7.4M boost from Alberta government

Apr 24, 2025 | 3:06 PM

Alberta’s seven regional agricultural societies are receiving a one-time cash injection of over $7 million to face challenging economic conditions and plan ahead.

Lethbridge and District Exhibition, Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede, Grande Prairie Regional Ag and Exhibition, and Red Deer’s Westerner Park are among the recipients named by officials on Thursday.

The Alberta government in 2024 hired Deloitte to assess the sustainability of the organizations and provide options to address their financial struggles —and it was those recommendations that informed the new investment, officials said.

Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson said exhibitions, stampedes and other events held by societies play a crucial role in improving the lives of those who live in rural Alberta..

“From event organizing to infrastructure upkeep, they energize folks and bring communities together,” Sigurdson said from Medicine Hat’s exhibition grounds.

“This funding will ensure our regional agriculture societies are able to keep up their good work and continue to be pillars of their communities.”

The over $7.4 million in cash includes $4.03 million in one-time supports distributed among the seven societies to manage rising costs and establish more sustainable operational modes. That works out to about half a million dollars per group.

The new funding also includes a one-time investment of $2.87 million to support business transformation projects and funding set aside for a third-party consultant to help with those efforts, officials said.

Each regional agricultural society currently receives total annual funding of $398,853, including a base grant of $298,853 and an operating grant of $100,000 to support agricultural event days.