Celebrating Canadian Ag Day in Lacombe County — and standing up for the future of local agriculture

Today, on Canadian Agriculture Day, we celebrate the people, passion, and pride behind the food that sustains our communities. Agriculture is the backbone of Lacombe County — with 98.6% of our land zoned for agriculture and more than 1,010 farms across 668,102 acres, it is not just an industry here; it is our identity and our economic foundation.

From livestock to crop production, from generations-old family farms to innovative ag partnerships, Lacombe County’s producers help feed Alberta, Canada, and the world. And today, as we honour the hardworking individuals who keep our food system thriving, we are reminded of how essential strong, local agricultural capacity truly is.

That is why the federal government’s recent decision to close the Lacombe Research and Development Centre weighs heavily on our entire region. The Centre has been a cornerstone of agricultural innovation for more than a century, supporting practical, unbiased research in livestock, forage, crop science, meat quality, food safety, and sustainable farming — all tailored to Western Canadian conditions.  Its closure will affect more than 100 employees and their families, disrupt long-term trials and decades of irreplaceable scientific knowledge, and remove a trusted, public source of research that producers rely on every single season.

On a day dedicated to celebrating Canadian agriculture, we reaffirm our commitment to advocating for the future of local ag research.

Lacombe County, along with municipal partners, producer groups, and community members, continues to call on the federal government to pause and reconsider this decision and meaningfully consult with those who stand to be impacted most.

Today, we honour our farmers.
Today, we celebrate our agricultural legacy.
And today, more than ever, we stand united to protect the resources, research, and expertise that keep Lacombe County at the forefront of Canadian agriculture.

Happy Canadian Ag Day!