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AGRICULTURE: New institute to help develop green practices and business for agriculture and forestry
        (AlbertaIndex, February 19, Tuesday) --- A new provincial institute has begun work on identifying environmentally friendly products and practices to green Alberta’s agriculture and forestry industries and help make them more innovative, competitive and profitable.

        Chaired by well-respected educator, former farmer and politician Ken Nicol, the virtual Alberta Institute for Agriculture, Forestry and the Environment has received $800,000 from the provincial government to support its work with the renewable resources sectors and government.

Its board of directors will look at helping Alberta’s renewable resource sectors evolve and adapt to benefit from rising demand for environmentally friendly products, services and production processes.  The institute will examine current research and development activities, as well as recommend directions and actions the provincial government can take to enhance and coordinate support to industry in their goal to be more environmentally friendly.

The Alberta government said it will work with the agriculture and forestry industries to identify two nominees from each industry to complete the five-member board.  The Ministries of Agriculture and Food, Sustainable Resource Development, Environment, and Advanced Education and Technology will provide guidance and assistance to the institute.

Plans to establish the institute was announced in last year’s Throne Speech which promised the government would develop a comprehensive energy strategy to ensure the sustainable development of the province’s resources in an environmentally responsible manner.

The strategy will look at all of Alberta’s energy resources, with a focus on renewable resources, including electricity generated by wind, and bio-energy — such as ethanol and other bio-fuels. Development in these areas will provide new opportunities for rural Alberta and the agriculture community.

“Alberta’s population and industrial base is growing rapidly and putting pressure on our natural resources,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “This institute is a new approach to environmental stewardship. It’s about finding environmental solutions that also improve productivity and market share.”

“Consumers and businesses are actively seeking products and companies that are more environmentally friendly,” said George Groeneveld, Minister of Agriculture and Food, who will oversee the development of the institute.

“We’re confident industry will embrace solutions that are a smart investment in their own future success, and government is committed to helping to shape a business environment that further supports positive changes.”



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