Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) | Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) | Office of the Farmers' Advocate | Alberta Grain Commission

Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA)

The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) is working to achieve long-term success for Alberta’s livestock and meat industry. ALMA will help industry become sustainable, profitable and internationally competitive by focusing on marketing, research and production.

Information on AFRP II, traceability, age verification, and the Premises Identification Program is available from agriculture.alberta.ca.

For more information on ALMA:

Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC)

AFSC provides a wide variety of risk management products and financial services to fit the business needs of farmers, the agriculture industry and small businesses in Alberta. AFSC also offers unique financial products and services not readily available from conventional sources.

Products and services include:

• Insurance products to mitigate risks related to crop production, including hay and pasture
• Waterfowl and wildlife damage compensation to help Alberta farmers recover from production losses on their farms
• The AgriStability Program, a program that allows producers to protect their farm operation against large margin declines.
• Farm loans and guarantees for new and expanding farm businesses as well as financing for those facing disastrous reductions in farm production or income
• Sourcing of financing for companies in the agri-food and value-added industry, as well as small businesses.  Emphasis is on rural Alberta.

Office of the Farmers' Advocate

The Farmers' Advocate Office provides the Minister with information on issues concerning rural Albertans. The Farmers' Advocate Office works closely with agricultural interest groups, Alberta Environment, Alberta Energy, Sustainable Resource Development and other levels of government to formulate policy recommendations and procedures that affect the rural community.

The Farmers' Advocate Office also:

• Works with surface rights groups and landowners on surface lease and freehold mineral lease issues
• Provides dispute resolution services, advice and information to individual farmers or agricultural associations on issues that impact rural Albertans.
• Is responsible for the contract for the AFSC/SRD Hail and Crop, Grazing Disposition, and Lending Agricultural Development Committee reviews.

• Farm Implement Act
• Farm Implement Dealerships Act
• Water Well Restoration or Replacement Program
• Wild Fire Cost Assessment Review
• Part 1 of the Agricultural Operation Practices Act.

Alberta Grain Commission

We are a provincial government agency within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD), comprised of ten Alberta Grain Commission (AGC) members appointed by the Minister of ARD (eight farmers, and two government employees). A small staff supports the AGC members. This body advises and makes recommendations to the Minister of ARD on current and emerging issues and trends in the grain industry.