b'ASSOCIATION AMALGAMATIONTwo for OneProvincial cereal commissions mulling amalgamation.IT MAY NOT be long before Albertas biggest crop commissions shrink from four to three. Thats because Alberta Barley and the Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) are formally exploring amalgamation after resolutions passed at both groups regional and annual meetings in recent years. The two commissions, which bring in a combined $11 million-plus through check-off revenue, are considering joining forces in an effort to reduce duplication and provide greater value to farmers. The commissions already utilize a shared staffing model, which saves an estimated $350,000 annually since they began the practice in 2018.Exploratory work has been ongoing for more than a year and may be soon coming to a close. A recent online survey allowed farmers to answer questions about aspects of amalgamation. The commissions established an online FAQ section of their website and hosted virtual town halls meetings on Oct. 21 andAlberta Barley chair Tara SawyerAlberta Wheat Commission chair Todd 26, 2021 for further engagement. According to Tom Steve, thesays one large benefit of anHames co-hosted two virtual town amalgamation would be that anyhall events in October 2021 to hear commissions general manager, farmers are getting exactly whatimprovement in a crop benefits allfeedback from farmer members to they have been asking for. farmers. further drive engagement.The group is cohesive in taking a critical look at what a formal amalgamation would look like, says Steve. Thats been the strength of the process. Weve really tried to reach out and get a good sense of what the pros and cons are of this.With a subcommittee consisting of both commissions directors and junior directors (called delegates with Alberta Barley and regional representatives with AWC), the effort to include many voices is a top objective. Tara Sawyer, Alberta Barleys chair, is part of the subcommittee and stresses this is currently in discussion, with details and direction being hammered out. She reminds Alberta farmers to raise their voice when and where it counts, because this is not a done deal.Thats the important part, its still a proposal, says Sawyer. I dont want everyone to automatically think that everyone is on board with this.Its a message echoed by Todd Hames, AWCs chair, who reminds Alberta farmers this process has, and will continue to be, driven solely by the groups rate payers.Engagement is super important to me, that we get the word out and hear what our membership would like to see done, he says. Its not a board decision. He believes the biggest benefits to linking together is speaking with one voice, especially on many issues that are doubled upTom Steve, general manager of the Barley and Wheat commissions, says on, such as rail service, transportation and regulatory issues.feedback seemed promising in favour of amalgamation but he wants Beyond that, Hames notes staff often prepare for board meetingsengagement from as many Alberta farmers as possible.and present the same material twice in a short period of time. IMAGES ARE COURTESY OF ALBERTA WHEAT COMMISSION/ALBERTA BARLEY38seed.ab.ca'