By rdnewsNOW staff

Raising The Aalrm

Alberta Ag societies express urgent need for help

Apr 3, 2020 | 5:01 PM

The Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies (AAAS) is expressing concerns about their ongoing sustainability during the COVID-19 crisis.

Tim Carson, CEO of AAAS, says they’ve decided from a Board level that these concerns need to be addressed.

“AAAS applauds the decisive and bold action of the Alberta government to limit exposure of citizens to the COVID-19 virus and the forced closure of public facilities,” he explains, in a release. “With those closures, also come cancellation of events and this is one of the greatest challenges for our Ag Societies.”

Officials with the organization note there are 293 Agricultural Societies in Alberta which own and operating more than 700 community facilities and host over 3,400 events per year.

“These volunteer-driven organizations focus on promoting agriculture and improving the quality of life for persons living in and around their community,” adds Carson. “Alberta Ag Societies benefit greatly from the support provided by the Alberta government, now currently in the second year of a four-year grant program. However, the grant program contributes to only one-third of the revenue needed to maintain their operations.”

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Carson points out that expenses to maintain facilities, even at minimum levels, will continue to mount during the pandemic.

“With no revenue, serious cash flow problems have already occurred due to cancelled events,” he exclaims. “What are now viable Ag Societies, may not survive. The demise of these volunteer-driven organizations would negatively impact the viability and vibrancy of communities across Alberta.”

Rick McCarthy, President of AAAS, says the Alberta government’s commitment over the years’ to support agricultural societies through the Ag Societies grant program has provided their associations with stable, predictable funding. He says the grant program usually allocates funds to the Ag Societies in June or July each year.

“These Ag Societies need this grant money now,” he urges. “We know Ag societies have been adjusting to reduce operating costs to the best of their ability. The concern is that many of these volunteer organizations will not have the ability to manage over the next three to four months with no opportunity to generate revenue.”

Carson concludes, “We know there are some possible suggestions, like loans to support small and medium size business through the pandemic. However, the not-for-profit sector does not support the profit margin to manage the repayment of an operating loan.”

Carson suggests another idea that agricultural societies would benefit from greatly, would be stabilization funding, allowing each organization to support their community – post pandemic, and accelerate the recovery of their community’s physical and mental health.

“We hope we can discuss this idea further with the Alberta government.”