Join Farming Smarter for an Exciting Year

By Craig Lester

Southern Alberta’s agriculture industry kicks off 2025 with a lineup of exciting events and opportunities, designed to build skills, foster innovation, and strengthen connections. 

Farming Smarter leads the way in agronomy research and education in Alberta. It invites ag professionals to engage in a calendar of events, field tours, and digital resources that promise to take the region to new heights.  

The annual Farming Smarter Conference & Trade Show set off this year's line-up of fantastic events on February 12. The two-day event was packed with agronomy research information, updates on some of the latest cutting-edge ag practices and an opportunity for attendees to connect with fellow producers.  

“Networking is a key outcome of all Farming Smarter events,” says Claudette Lacombe, Farming Smarter Communications Director. “We typically designate more time to networking than many other events. We consider our network of innovative ag professionals – from farm to marketplace – its greatest strength.”  

Lacombe adds the best research in the world won’t have much impact if no one hears about it. “Our Knowledge & Network team works hard to create many opportunities for connection, discussion and wild idea generation.” 

Farming Smarter will release a new strategic plan in 2025 with new, 5-year targets. In the March Farming Smarter magazine, its annual report will highlight its achievements on its previous strategic plan goals. These plans come from its farmer-led board of directors in consultation with its staff. 

Farming Smarter’s Conservation Agronomist, Ashley Wagenaar will lead two new field tours in March and July, offering a hands-on opportunity to explore farms that are embracing sustainability and innovative practices.  

Summer events include the Farming Smarter Field School that offers hands-on learning, and participants will get up close with ongoing projects while enjoying two days of summer fun. The school runs June 25-26.  

“Farming Smarter events always focus on ongoing or newly completed research,” explains Jamie Puchinger, Farming Smarter’s Assistant Manager. “Summer events allow participants to walk through research plots with researchers as they discuss what they see taking place. They become interactive learning experiences where farmers, agronomists, researchers and industry representatives all have the opportunity to ask questions and provide answers. You can always expect some lively discussions and solid connections between people to take place.”  

There will also be a continued focus on engaging and educating the younger generations about the agricultural industry. “Every year for the past decade or more, we hire up to 15 students from high school to post-secondary institutions,” says Lacombe. “Many of these students come from non-agriculture backgrounds and often become fascinated by the industry. Some of them change education directions and career paths after learning about all the opportunities agriculture has for young people. They become ambassadors for agriculture and Farming Smarter both inside and outside the agriculture industry.” 

With all this and more scheduled for 2025, it's a wealth of opportunities to help you grow your operation, connect with like-minded ag professionals, and embrace new and exciting ideas.  

We encourage you to explore our website and find all the ways Farming Smarter can serve you!