Thorsby Agricultural Society secures new federal funding

THORSBY -- The Haymaker Centre is slated to receive major upgrades in the near future.

This has been made possible due to $19,000 in federal funding being secured by the Thorsby Agricultural Society. The funding, courtesy of a grant from Farm Credit Canada, will go towards several upgrades at the Haymaker Centre, including a new overhead door and enhanced lighting for the facility. Carla Warnyca, Manager for Community Investment at Farm Credit Canada, discussed the new funding in conversation with 93.1 The One.

"This is a vital hub for the local agriculture community, where they host training, workshops, and other community events," said Warnyca. "Our funding will enable them to replace the facility's overhead door and the installation of new energy-efficient lighting in their petting area."

This year's funding, courtesy of the FCC AgriSpirit Fund, has been awarded to 81 community projects across Canada to support rural capital projects. In total, $1,500,000 has been awarded for agriculture projects across the country. Warnyca talks about the goal of the crown corporation's AgriSpirit Fund.

"The fund is there to strengthen food security and improve quality of life for people across rural Canada," said Warnyca. "We do this by partnering with local organizations to invest in community spaces, food programs, and other essential infrastructure." 

This year, Farm Credit Canada awarded between $10,000 and $25,000 to various community improvement initiatives with the goal of enriching the lives of residents in cities, towns, or Indigenous communities with fewer than 150,000 people. Meantime, over the past 22 years, the FCC AgriSpirit Fund has supported 1,778 projects, for a total investment of $24,000,000.

"Every AgriSpirit Fund project reflects a community coming together to solve a need," said André Surprenant, senior vice-president of ag production at FCC. "We are proud to play our part in supporting those efforts and contributing to these essential spaces, services and infrastructure that help rural communities thrive. These projects show what’s possible when local vision and national support work hand in hand."

In a statement, Thorsby's Chief Administrative Officer Donna Tona says the Haymaker Centre is a premium equestrian, rodeo venue and community hub, while also noting it as a practice and competition arena for roping barrel racing, casual riding, and penning.

"The volunteers work tirelessly and the Town of Thorsby is proud to have this caliber of venue in our community to host events that celebrate our ranching and farming heritage," said Tona.