RJ Sigurdson (Government of Alberta)

By RJ Sigurdson

Op-Ed

No farms, no food: Statement from Minister Sigurdson

Dec 29, 2023 | 10:18 AM

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson issued the following statement on Dec. 29, 2023, recognizing the importance of Alberta agriculture during the holidays:

“No farms, no food. It’s that simple.

“The holiday season is full of festivities, from Christmas carolling and lighting the Menorah to sleigh rides and ringing in the new year. It’s the time of year when family and friends gather to celebrate. When you’re sitting around a table filled with food and surrounded by your loved ones, be sure to remember to thank the farmers and ranchers who made your holiday meals possible.

“Our agriculture industry works year-round to put food on tables around the world. Their dedication and hard work produce the safe, high-quality food that we enjoy. Whether it’s heading to the barn at 3 a.m. during calving season or driving the combine for weeks on end during harvest, Alberta’s farmers and ranchers work tirelessly to feed our communities.

“Beyond our primary agriculture producers, there are the thousands of folks working in the value-added agri-food sector to process ready-to-eat products, and there’s the labour that goes in to packaging and transporting your food. Without our agriculture industry, there would be no turkey to carve, no pies to slice and no beer to pour.

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“Showing our appreciation for Alberta’s farmers and ranchers is more than just saying thank you. It’s shopping locally, buying made-in-Alberta products and supporting our local agricultural societies and youth organizations such as 4-H. Most importantly, it’s about making an effort to better understand how our food made it from the farm to your plate.

“As we enter 2024, I encourage all Albertans to show appreciation for our province’s hard-working agriculture industry and to remember it’s as simple as no farms, no food.”

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of rdnewsNOW or Pattison Media. Column suggestions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@rdnewsNOW.com.

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