In July 2019, the UFA’s Rural Community Foundation Announced a Five-Year, $500,000 Commitment to improve the sustainability of farmers and ranchers in Alberta.

Communities were encouraged to apply for a minimum of $10,000, up to a total of $100,000, for projects that support either recreational, education events and activities, or cultural facilities and programs.

RCF announced the 2019 grant recipients during National Co-operative week, October 13-19. 2019. Groups who were eligible for funding included registered charities under the Canada Revenue Agency, registered non-profit organizations that are registered with either their provincial or municipal government, and community service co-operatives. Awarded projects will be completed within a two-year period and are located in a community that has a UFA presence. Watch the recipient announcement below, or click to read the full Press Release and Backgrounder.

The next submission intake for grant proposals will open in the summer of 2020.

And the winners are...

 

 

“The Heritage Village Project” Onoway and District Historical Guild: $50,000

The Onoway and District Historical Guild, founded in 2003, is home to a historical museum and the Onoway Public Library; the space is also leased to the town playschool, 4-H, parent link, Girl Guide, Boy Scouts and many other daily users. In 2018 more than 62,480 individuals visited the facility. The Guild’s Heritage Village is looking to expand and the group plans on building a secure machine shed to house and expand its historical farm equipment collection such as the threshing machine, binder, buggy, wagons and other pieces. The project will benefit the community by expanding the museum to include large farm machinery displays that will inform visitors about the history of farming in the community. The group plans to officially name the building at the Heritage Village as the UFA Machine Shop, in honour of the monies received from the Rural Communities Foundation.

 

“The Green Spaces Project” Delia School Enhancement Society: $39,000

Delia is an agricultural community and the Delia School Enhancement Society (DSES) Green Spaces Project is designed to bring community members together to plant, grow and harvest. Located in the heart of Delia, the 3,500 square foot space will include a free community garden (with raised beds and traditional inground plots), an outdoor meeting area and learning space, a storage shed and a mixed use area which is open to all members of the public, including the local seniors’ group, community groups, local students and families. This project adds to the Delia Community Hub project to ensure the accessible green space, which was slated for demolition, will continue to benefit the entire community for many years to come.

 

“The Climb Thru Time Museum Upgrade Project” Paradise Valley & District Museum Society: $11,000

The Paradise Valley & District Museum Society has been operating the Climb Thru Time Museum for over 20 years. With close to 1,500 visitors per year, the site houses a tea room and gift shop as well as an original Alberta Wheat Pool grain elevator and railway station, both of which are considered as provincial historical Resources. With over 70 display areas, the museum showcases a pioneer way of life. The project includes an electrical upgrade to the elevator agent’s office and grain elevator, along with a restoration of the window frames back to historical standards as laid out by the Heritage Conservation Advisor. With the absence of a restaurant, the museum serves as a place for the community to gather, as the site offers daily coffee, baking and fellowship for surrounding community members to come home and reminisce about their families, school days and ancestors.