Mandate letter

The Premier's mandate letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation outlines the objectives and priorities of the work they will focus on in their role.

Read the mandate letter See all mandate letters

From the Minister

August 03, 2022 | Agriculture
Alberta’s Agri-Food Products and Services Export Catalogue

Connecting international buyers with Alberta product and service suppliers.

March 14, 2022 | Agriculture
Renewing our focus on farm safety

Preventing injuries and illnesses on the farm and in the workplace.

Key information

  • Facts about crop insurance premiums

    The 2023 crop insurance premium increase is mainly due to higher crop prices, more producers participating in the insurance program and impacts from the 2021 drought.

    All efforts are made to ensure premiums remain affordable to clients, that coverage reflects the value of their crop, and that participation remains constant year to year.

    Learn more: The facts about Alberta crop insurance premiums (PDF, 96 KB)

  • Deregulation of Fusarium Graminearum

    • On June 3, 2020, Minister Dreeshen announced fusarium would be removed from the Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation to help farmers and bring Alberta in line with best practices from other provinces.
    • This change means seed growers in Alberta will soon have access to more seed varieties and cereal research.
    • Removing the disease from the regulation will allow Alberta to modernize to managing the disease, rather than having zero tolerance for it.

  • Amendments to the Meat Inspection Regulation

    • On July 29, 2020, Minister Dreeshen announced amendments to the Meat Inspection Regulation which will cut red tape and provide Albertans with greater access to locally produced meat while maintaining food safety.
    • These changes are giving operators more flexibility to meet legislated requirements and increase consumer access to high-quality local products.

In focus

Affordability Action Plan
Taking quick, effective action to cut costs and deliver relief to help families, businesses and vulnerable Albertans.
Maintaining strong irrigation systems
The Irrigation Rehabilitation Program is providing $10 million to the province’s irrigation districts for infrastructure improvements.
Supporting Alberta’s agriculture industry through AgriRecovery
Introduced several new supports to help farmers and ranchers through AgriRecovery in response to mass disruptions caused by COVID-19.

Biography

Nate Horner was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Drumheller-Stettler on April 16, 2019.

Prior to Mr. Horner’s election, he was a rancher with a cow-calf mix farm operation and avid volunteer in local community organizations.

Mr. Horner has his agriculture business diploma from Olds College and his bachelor of science degree in agriculture from the University of Lethbridge. He was the Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association saddle bronc champion in 2002 and 2004.

Mr. Horner was first sworn in as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development, now known as Agriculture and Irrigation, on November 5, 2021.