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By Louise Labonte
Public Engagement & Promotions Coordinator, Alberta Canola

Alberta Canola has been hard at work championing growers, strengthening agriculture literacy, and building connections across the province. Here’s what we’ve been up to and what’s ahead.

STAMPEDE SEASON: SADDLED UP FOR ANOTHER YEAR

With the Calgary Stampede fast approaching, July 3 to 12, 2026, our team is gearing up to welcome thousands of visitors to our now two-year-old interactive booth in the AltaLink Hall. This walkthrough exhibit continues to be a favourite among families, food lovers, and international guests, offering a hands-on, friendly space to explore canola’s journey from seed to table.

Calgary Stampede remains one of our strongest platforms for meaningful conversation. Visitors are eager to understand how their food is grown, and they’re often surprised and impressed to hear directly from Alberta growers. In an age of swirling misinformation, your stories matter more than ever. By meeting people with empathy and clear, simple facts, we can counter myths while building trust. These conversations help ensure consumers understand the care and science behind modern agriculture and canola production.

For example, when questions arise about rapeseed oil, it opens the door to explain how canola was developed in Canada to remove high erucic acid levels through traditional plant breeding. This innovation is why canola oil is now among the healthiest and most widely used oils worldwide. At the booth, visitors don’t leave with just the facts; they walk away with a deeper appreciation for the people behind their food. Games, seed bins, and hands-on learning continue to draw curious minds of all ages.

We look forward to returning for another exciting Stampede. Grab your hats and come find us.

CANOLA GIVES BACK

Food insecurity continues to rise, and Alberta Canola is committed to supporting families across the province and beyond. This year, we donated over 3,000 bottles of canola oil to Alberta Food Banks and more than 1,500 bottles to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul’s North of 60 Project, which supports northern and remote communities. These contributions reflect our shared belief that nutritious, accessible food should be available to everyone.

GROWING AGRICULTURE LITERACY THROUGH AG FOR LIFE

Our longstanding partnership with Ag for Life continues to flourish. Their curriculum-linked programs bring agriculture to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, offering real-world experiences that connect food, sustainability, and future careers. Early agriculture literacy helps build informed consumers and future decision-makers who understand modern farming.

The Classroom Agriculture Program (CAP) remains a standout initiative, with Grade 4 and 5 classrooms across Alberta receiving visits from volunteers who bring the story of agriculture to life. Teachers consistently share how these programs spark curiosity and create lasting learning moments

Earlier this year, we transferred our inventory of Chase Duffy books to Ag for Life for broader distribution. Interest from teachers has been incredible. After they highlighted Fields of Home in their newsletter, more than 90 book requests came in within hours. We are thrilled to see this level of engagement from educators eager to bring agricultural storytelling into their classrooms.

WHY THIS MATTERS

  • Building public trust in how canola is grown
  • Countering misinformation
  • Connecting urban consumers with real growers
  • Supporting the next generation’s understanding of agriculture

LOOKING AHEAD

As we move into the growing season, Alberta Canola remains committed to championing growers and strengthening public understanding of agriculture.

In addition to our ongoing outreach, we are actively exploring new projects and programming designed to engage even more Albertans in both urban and rural areas. Whether through expanded educational initiatives, enhanced public events, or fresh partnerships, our goal is to broaden conversations about canola, sustainability, and the people who grow our food.

We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to creating even more meaningful connections across the province. Thank you for all that you do to support Alberta’s agriculture community. Wishing you a safe, productive, and successful season.