August 17, 2021 – After a historic federal election was called on Sunday August 15, the Grain Growers of Canada want to make sure farmers in the grain sector are heard.
Grain Growers of Canada Chair, Andre Harpe is from the Peace Country and part of the Canadian Canola Growers Association as well. He farms around 5000 acres in the Valhalla area near Grande Prairie. Harpe says the weather for the past two years have taken a toll on Peace Country producers “We’ve been devastated I think like everybody else has.” Harpe noted it’s not just northern Alberta, but the majority of the prairie provinces.
The Grain Growers of Canada advocates on behalf of farmers to the federal government on policies; and they believe with the upcoming federal election grain producers need commitment from the government on stabilization programs. “We can’t control the environment, we can’t control trade, there’s farmers that can’t control a lot of things so that’s why we need help sometimes.” Harpe says if people want locally grown food, income stabilization has to be involved in some form.
Listen to our full conversation below with Harpe and make sure to tune into the River Country Ag Show every weekday during the noon hour!
-Erika Rolling, Trending 55 Newsroom
