Primary Agricultural Societies Operating Grant

Overview

Through the Primary Agricultural Societies Operating Grant, the government supports the dedication and efforts made by agricultural societies to strengthen their communities. Each year, agricultural societies organize more than 37,000 activities throughout the province and host more than 2.3 million Albertans at their various facilities and events. To offset the costs of operating a facility or delivering services and programs within their communities, the grant provides partial reimbursement for activities like rodeos, farm safety initiatives, board governance training as well as infrastructure maintenance costs.  

See the Primary Agricultural Societies Operating Grant Program guidelines for more information.  

Funding 

There are 4 sections under which an agricultural society can receive grant funding:

• governance, leadership and training expenses
• agricultural activities and programs expenses
• operational expenses
• base grant 

Eligibility 

To receive a grant, applicants must: 

• operate a facility or run an agricultural event or program
• be a primary agricultural society in good standing under the Agricultural Societies Act

Eligible expenses

All expenses claimed must be paid by the agricultural society and be captured in year-end financial statements. Supporting schedules, copies of ledgers, or statement of expense templates can be used to detail and support your claim, see the program guidelines for a complete list.

Examples of eligible expenses include:

• advertising, fair books or event signage
• office expenses
• additional staffing, contractors, judges or announcers  
• cleaning and sanitation
• event insurance
• sanction fees
• security

How to apply 

The Primary Agricultural Societies Grant Program Application form and Director List form will be available when the intake opens in the fall of 2025.

Year-end financial statements will be required to support expense claims.

See contact information for help or for inquires on the program. 

Contact

To connect with the Rural Programming Program Coordinator: 

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-968-3517
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-000-0000
Email: [email protected] 

Address:
Agriculture and Irrigation
#106, 4709 – 44 Avenue
Stony Plain, AB T7Z 1N4