How is Alberta’s government supporting Agricultural Societies during this pandemic? Alberta’s government recently announced funding changes and acceleration of the grant process for Agricultural Societies. These societies serve and support our rural communities and are a rich part of this province’s history. Without live events like rodeos or curling bonspiels, it has certainly been a tough year for agricultural societies. To help mitigate that impact, Alberta’s government will ensure that Agricultural Societies continue to receive their regular base grant funding. What changes were made to the grant funding this year? Instead of receiving operating funding based on how many events they had planned, Agricultural societies will receive grants based on their 5-year average. Approved grants are also being expedited this year, and will be processed as early as May 30th. This is 60 days earlier than previous years. The 283 primary Agricultural Societies will receive their base grant up to 17,500 dollars, plus the new five-year average variable operating grant. The seven regional Agricultural Societies will receive their nearly 300-thousand-dollar base grant, plus the new five-year average variable operating grant, which is up to a maximum of 100 thousand dollars. How will these additional supports help enable Alberta’s Recovery? It is so important that Albertans will be able to return to live events and other entertainment that has been halted during this pandemic. Our Agricultural Societies will be instrumental in helping Albertans get back to normal once they’re able to host live events, such as rodeos or ball tournaments. Agricultural Societies are the heart and soul of rural communities, and it is vital we are able to preserve this culture and history.