Alberta’s cereal commissions are making a last push to get out the vote on their proposed merger.
“There’s still time to cast your vote and make your voice heard as to whether or not you support the Alberta Wheat Commission and Alberta Barley amalgamating into a single crop commission,” the two farm groups said in a release.
Voting will remain open until noon on Nov. 1, and eligible producers should have received a letter and voting PIN that allows them to vote online or by telephone. Those who didn’t receive the letter and PIN, should call 1-844-807-5762 or email [email protected].
Read Also
Farming Smarter receives financial boost from Alberta government for potato research
Farming Smarter near Lethbridge got a boost to its research equipment, thanks to the Alberta government’s increase in funding for research associations.
Those who grow both crops (and have paid a checkoff in the last two years) will actually get to cast two votes as each crop commission is required to have its own plebiscite. Farming corporations, cooperatives or partnerships will have one vote on behalf of their legal entity.
Farmers are eligible to vote if they have paid a levy on wheat or barley sales from Jan. 1, 2020 to April 30, 2022 — even those who have requested refunds.
The two groups first amalgamated their administrative teams and then their senior management (which cut costs by $400,000 annually) in 2017. Their boards then put forward the idea of a merger, set up a committee to study the matter in depth, held producer consultations at regional meetings and finally put the idea to successful votes at their annual general meetings last winter.
The organizations have previously said a merged board would have 12 directors, two from each of six regions in the province. Each region would also elect four delegates apiece.
More information is available at alberta.ca/wheat-and-barley-plebiscite.
