Down on the Farm - Art Gallery of Alberta

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition ProgramAgriculture in Alberta continuedThe Canadian Wheat BoardControlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barleymarketer in the world. As one of Canada’s biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-basedorganization sells grain to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, lessmarketing costs, to farmers.In 1923 the United Farmers of Alberta metwith then Attorney General John Brownleeto consider setting up a Wheat Pool inAlberta. They created a non-share,non-profit organization responsible forselling wheat for the best advantage. UnitedGrain Growers grain company and theAlberta Pacific Elevator company agreed toaccept Pool deliveries in their facilities. With26.000 farmers joining the Pool, The AlbertaWheat Pool started making direct sales toflour milling companies.Joe AcsEgremont, AB, 1977Acrylic on masoniteCollection of the Art Gallery of AlbertaMuch of the unforested part of Alberta is given over either to grain or to dairy farming,with mixed farming more common in the north and central Alberta. Wheat and canolaare primary farm crops, with Alberta leading the provinces in spring wheat production.Much of the farming is dryland farming, often with fallow seasons interspersed with cultivation.Continuous cropping (in which there is no fallow season) is gradually becoming a more commonmode of production because of increased profits and a reduction of soil erosion. Across theprovince the once common grain elevator is slowly being lost as rail lines are decreasing;farmers typically truck the grain to central points.The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) is one of the world’s largest graintrading companies, marketing 22 to 24 million tonnes of wheat and barleyannually. Annual sales revenues average between $3 to $4 billion US.The Canadian Wheat Board Act gives the CWB sole marketing authorityfor wheat and barley produced by the 75,000 grain farmers of westernCanada for export and domestic human consumption.July 5, 2010, marked the 75th anniversary of the CWB working withfarmers and caring for Prairie wheat and barley through the process fromthe family farm, to a grain elevator, a rail car and a ship, Canadian WheatBoard connects international customers with Prairie farmers.AFA Travelling Exhibition Program, Edmonton, AB. Ph: 780.428.3830 Fax: 780.421.0479youraga.ca