New Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation named during Alberta cabinet shuffle

May 21, 2026 | 3:28 PM

Alberta has a new Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.

Tara Sawyer was named to the post as part of a provincial cabinet shuffle.

Previous minister RJ Sigurdson has moved to the Affordability and Utilities portfolio.

Sawyer is a farmer from the Acme area. She has previously served as the board chair for the Grain Growers of Canada, Alberta Grains and Alberta Barley.

Sawyer was first elected as an MLA in a byelection in June of last year.

One of those groups that Sawyer used to chair is welcoming her appointment.

A release from Alberta Grains says the new minister “brings a deep, first-hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities for Alberta’s farmers across the value chain and within a global market.”

“We congratulate Minister Sawyer on her appointment and look forward to continuing to work together to support Alberta farmers and strengthen the province’s agriculture sector. Her experience as both a farmer and industry leader will bring valuable perspective to the role at an important time for Alberta agriculture,” says current Alberta Grains chair Scott Jespersen in that same release.

Jespersen also thanked Sigurdson for his work as the minister, calling him “a strong supporter of Alberta agriculture.”

by Curtis Galbraith