Anchor J Ranches fund donates $193K to support ag research in southeastern Alberta
OYEN - The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta says it has received a $193,400 donation from Anchor J Ranches that will support agricultural research, innovation and sustainability efforts in the region.
The foundation says the contribution, made through the Anchor J Fund, will go to the Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA) in Oyen, a producer-driven, not-for-profit organization serving the Special Areas and the Municipal District of Acadia.
(L-R): Landon Olsen, CARA financial supervisor; Dianne Westerlund, CARA manager; and Helene Nicholson, Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta regional development coordinator.
CARA manager Dianne Westerlund says the funding will help strengthen the organization’s programming and support the evaluation of new technologies, including virtual fencing.
“We are excited to utilize this generous donation as we endeavour to bring innovative, profitable, and sustainable practices to our agricultural community,” Westerlund said in a statement. “This grant will enhance our overall program and enable evaluation of new technologies such as virtual fencing at the local level within the Special Areas.”
Helene Nicholson, the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta’s regional development coordinator, says the investment reflects the importance of agriculture to rural communities.
“This investment reflects a strong belief in the importance of agriculture to the long-term vitality of our region,” Nicholson said in a statement. “Through the Anchor J Fund, Anchor J Ranches is helping ensure organizations like CARA have the resources they need to explore new ideas and respond to the evolving needs of rural communities.”
The foundation says Anchor J Ranches established the Anchor J Fund to support charitable initiatives in southeastern Alberta, with a focus on strengthening the region’s agricultural and charitable sectors.
In a statement, Anchor J Ranches said it hopes the donation will help support initiatives that create long-term benefits for communities across the region.
CARA was established in 1979 and delivers applied research, demonstration and extension programs aimed at advancing practical agricultural practices suited to east-central Alberta’s soil and climate conditions.