The agriculture sector in Lethbridge is supported by the surrounding region, which includes more than 900 farms generating farm receipts of $1.1 Billion per year, building on assets of $3.2 Billion. Primary crops in this region include canola, corn, potatoes, sugar beets and pulses in addition to significant livestock and dairy production. There are more than 120 established agri-food processing businesses in the Lethbridge region producing food and/or feed for local consumption and export. In the past 10 years this sector has seen significant investment and plans for future investment. In fact, the agriculture sector is the largest single sector of the Lethbrige economy representing 20% of total gross domestic product or GDP.
Lethbridge has a long history of being an agricultural production, distribution and service centre. Lethbridge Research Centre (established in 1906) is the largest within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s national network of 19 centres and leads Canada’s research in the development of bio industrial platforms. Fast facts are: The southern Alberta agricultural region has an annual production capacity of 860,000+ acres in canola crops. 21% of the Alberta total Canola crops are grown here. Lethbridge based Richardson Oilseed Ltd. was the first company in the world to market canola oil. Beef producers in the Lethbridge region have the capacity to produce more than half a million head of cattle per year valued at approx. $700 million. Sunrise Poultry Processors Ltd processes approx. 14.5 million broilers per year, that’s 275,000 to 290,000 per week.
Speaker: Trevor Lewington
Trevor Lewington is the Chief Executive Officer for Economic Development Lethbridge. Together with a 25-member volunteer Board of Directors, Trevor is proud to work with a talented team that develops and delivers on initiatives to promote the Lethbridge region as an excellent place to live, work, visit, invest and do business. Trevor holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Human Resource Management, completed a Change Leadership Certificate with Cornell University and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) through CPHR Alberta. He also holds a Certified Logistics Professional (CCLP) designation from the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation.
With over 15 years of executive management experience in the food processing industry, in addition to many years living the trials and tribulations of a small business owner combined with additional roles in the public sector, Trevor strives to provide a broad-based perspective and collaborative approach which will enhance initiatives that drive continued economic growth in southern Alberta. Trevor was recognized by Economic Developers Alberta for “outstanding dedication and service” to the profession as “2019 Economic Developer of the Year.” Trevor is very engaged in his community and currently serves in the role of Mayor in the Village of Stirling.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, Sep 12, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location:Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required