About Us

About Us

Background

The forage industry is significant in Alberta. According to the most recent census of Agriculture (Statistics Canada) there are 28.8 million acres of forage land in Alberta.

Up until 2002 the the Alberta Forage Council represented the interests of the forage industry in Alberta. However, in 2002, the Council merged with applied research associations to become the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA). ARECA has evolved to become a a broader umbrella organization representing the whole agriculture industry in Alberta. Several consultations were held with all facets of the Alberta forage industry between the years 2007 and 2010 to see if there was an interest/need to to have an organization representing the forages in Alberta. This resulted in the formation of the Alberta Forage Industry Network Society or “AFIN” in 2010.

 

AFIN is directed and managed by an eight member board of directors along with an advisor from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and an advisor from the Agri-environment Services Branch of AAFC. The board Members are located across the province. For more information and contact information about the AFIN board of directors please referred to the “Contact Us” section of the AFIN Website.

About
About

Background

The forage industry is significant in Alberta. According to the most recent census of Agriculture (Statistics Canada) there are 28.8 million acres of forage land in Alberta.

Up until 2002 the the Alberta Forage Council represented the interests of the forage industry in Alberta. However, in 2002, the Council merged with applied research associations to become the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA). ARECA has evovled to become a a broader umbrella organization representing the whole agriculture industry in Alberta. Several consultations were held with all facets of the Alberta forage industry between the years 2007 and 2010 to see if there was an interest/need to to have an organization representing the forages in Alberta. This resulted in the formation of the Alberta Forage Industry Network Society or “AFIN” in 2010.

 

AFIN is directed and managed by an eight member board of directors along with an advisor from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and an advisor from the Agri-environment Services Branch of AAFC. The board Members are located across the province. For more information and contact information about the AFIN board of directors please referred to the “Contact Us” section of the AFIN Website.

About
About

Our Objectives

To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas among producers and other stakeholders in the forage industry

To champion research, education and extension for the management and use of forages

To foster communication between the forage industry, governments and the public

To represent the Alberta forage industry nationally and internationally

To manage, sell, lease, mortgage, dispose of, or otherwise deal with the property of the Society

Our Objectives

To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas among producers and other stakeholders in the forage industry

To champion research, education and extension for the management and use of forages

To foster communication between the forage industry, governments and the public

To represent the Alberta forage industry nationally and internationally

To manage, sell, lease, mortgage, dispose of, or otherwise deal with the property of the Society

Meet the Team!

Surya Acharya

Surya Acharya

Grant Lastiwka

Grant Lastiwka

Mary Jane Block

Mary Jane Block

Darren Bruhjell

Darren Bruhjell

Greg Earle

Greg Earle

Ed Shaw

Ed Shaw

John Bland

John Bland

Kim Cornish

Kim Cornish

Alan Hall

Alan Hall

Nora Paulovich

Nora Paulovich

Doug Wray

Doug Wray

Cole Zacharias

Cole Zacharias

Courtney O'Keefe

Courtney O'Keefe

Chris Fulkerth

Chris Fulkerth

Josée Aitken

Josée Aitken

Brent Thygesen

Brent Thygesen

Duane Vandenberg

Duane Vandenberg

Amanda Bustard

Amanda Bustard

Meet the Team!

Surya Acharya

Surya Acharya

Alex Robertson

Alex Robertson

Grant Lastiwka

Grant Lastiwka

Lori Kinnee

Lori Kinnee

Mary Jane Block

Mary Jane Block

Ed Shaw

Ed Shaw

John Bland

John Bland

Kim Cornish

Kim Cornish

Alan Hall

Alan Hall

Greg Earle

Greg Earle

Nora Paulovich

Nora Paulovich

Doug Wray

Doug Wray

Cole Zacharias

Cole Zacharias

Holly Mayer

Holly Mayer

Courtney O'Keefe

Courtney O'Keefe

Chris Fulkerth

Chris Fulkerth

Amber Kenyon

Amber Kenyon

Brent Thygesen

Brent Thygesen

Duane Vandenberg

Duane Vandenberg

Darren Bruhjell

Darren Bruhjell

Amanda Bustard

Amanda Bustard

What does an AFIN membership look like?

Member Benefits of the Alberta Forage Industry Network (AFIN)

  • As a voice for the diverse forage industry, AFIN’s  input and insight into key regulatory and policy issues affecting the industry is taken seriously by policy makers. 
  • Special member rates for AFIN’s Annual Conference and AGM.
  • Special rates for advertising on Farming the Web – Powered by AFIN online agricultural marketplace.
  • Access to our Directory of Members and network opportunities. 
  • A subscription to AFIN’s quarterly electronic newsletter which provides the updates on industry developments and issues. 
  • Access to webinars and training, at no cost or AFIN member rate.
  • Opportunity to participate in AFIN sub-committees and influence decisions on policy.
  • A free job posting service that gets your position in front of the agricultural community.
  • A forum to discuss forage related topics and learn about the diverse forage industry. 
  • Opportunities to have first hand knowledge of research initiatives supported by AFIN.
  • Individual

    $55 | 1 vote per individual

  • Farm Corporation

    $55 per voter to 1 vote per designated shareholder or employee 

  • Agricultural Business

    $275 | Up to 4 designated voters

  • Agriculture-Related

    Non-Government Organization

    $275 | Up to 4 designated voters

  • Agriculture-Related

    Government department, branch, educational institution or agency

    $275 | Up to 4 designated voters

  • Others

    (as approved by the AFIN Board of Directors)

    $55 | 1 vote per individual

What does an AFIN membership look like?

Member Benefits of the Alberta Forage Industry Network (AFIN)

  • As a voice for the diverse forage industry, AFIN’s  input and insight into key regulatory and policy issues affecting the industry is taken seriously by policy makers. 
  • Special member rates for AFIN’s Annual Conference and AGM.
  • Special rates for advertising on Farming the Web – Powered by AFIN online agricultural marketplace.
  • Access to our Directory of Members and network opportunities. 
  • A subscription to AFIN’s quarterly electronic newsletter which provides the updates on industry developments and issues. 
  • Access to webinars and training, at no cost or AFIN member rate.
  • Opportunity to participate in AFIN sub-committees and influence decisions on policy.
  • A free job posting service that gets your position in front of the agricultural community.
  • A forum to discuss forage related topics and learn about the diverse forage industry. 
  • Opportunities to have first hand knowledge of research initiatives supported by AFIN.
  • Individual Farmer

    $55 | 1 vote individual

  • Farm Corporation

    $50 per voter to 1 vote per designated shareholder or employee max of $200 to a max of 4

  • Agricultural Business

    $250 | Up to 4 designated voters

  • Agriculture-Related

    Non-Government Organization

    $250 | Up to 4 designated voters

  • Agriculture-Related

    Government department, branch, educational institution or agency

    $250 | Up to 4 designated voters

  • Others

    (as approved by the AFIN Board of Directors)

    $50 | 1 vote per individual

Letter from the Chair for Prospective Members

Dear “Prospective Member”,

The Alberta Forage Industry Network (AFIN) formed in 2010 to represent the Forage and Grasslands Industry in the province of Alberta.  The Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers representing this multi-faceted industry and hail from all corners of Alberta.  Our Board has been working diligently and somewhat behind the scenes to establish and move the organization forward.

The purpose of this message is to encourage you and/or your company to become a member of the Alberta Forage Industry Network.  Accordingly please find a membership application/invoice for your use.

Until now we have basically been in start-up mode ensuring that the formation of this association is up to date, accurate and functioning smoothly. Attracting new membership is now our foremost priority.

Currently membership fees are our main source of operational funding and the Board has been challenged to “prove ourselves” while having a limited amount of funds available.

We believe that we are now in a position to say that our initial “behind the scenes” work, and the activities that we have planned and supported have value for the future of the Forage and Grasslands Industry.    However, to continue the momentum and maintain credibility as the “voice” of Forages and Grasslands, we need your membership.

We are asking for your support in our future endeavors, on behalf of both yourself and the rest of the Alberta Forage and Grasslands Industry, by becoming a member of AFIN.

If you have any questions please email us at albertaforages@gmail.com or call me at 403-330-2918.

Sincerely,    

Surya Acharya

Board Chair

Letter from the Chair for Prospective Members

Dear “Prospective Member”,

The Alberta Forage Industry Network (AFIN) formed in 2010 to represent the Forage and Grasslands Industry in the province of Alberta.  The Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers representing this multi-faceted industry and hail from all corners of Alberta.  Our Board has been working diligently and somewhat behind the scenes to establish and move the organization forward.

The purpose of this message is to encourage you and/or your company to become a member of the Alberta Forage Industry Network.  Accordingly please find a membership application/invoice for your use.

Until now we have basically been in start-up mode ensuring that the formation of this association is up to date, accurate and functioning smoothly. Attracting new membership is now our foremost priority.

Currently membership fees are our main source of operational funding and the Board has been challenged to “prove ourselves” while having a limited amount of funds available.

We believe that we are now in a position to say that our initial “behind the scenes” work, and the activities that we have planned and supported have value for the future of the Forage and Grasslands Industry.    However, to continue the momentum and maintain credibility as the “voice” of Forages and Grasslands, we need your membership.

We are asking for your support in our future endeavors, on behalf of both yourself and the rest of the Alberta Forage and Grasslands Industry, by becoming a member of AFIN.

If you have any questions please email us at albertaforages@gmail.com or call me at 403-330-2918.

Sincerely,    

Surya Acharya

Board Chair

Our Position Statements

Our Position Statements