New appointments to the Agricultural Products Marketing Council will see the inclusion of John Buckley as the new chair alongside three new members, three returning members, and a new vice-chair.
Buckley and his wife operate a cow-calf operation southwest of Cochrane. With over 40 years of experience in the livestock industry, Buckley is involved in a number of organizations and groups.
The council itself is a public agency that oversees agricultural marketing boards and commissions. Their goal is to ensure the implementation of best practices, provision of policy advice to the minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. And administer legislation for the agricultural industry and government.
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, RJ Sigurdson, outlines that this is an important board whose membership includes people with excellent agricultural credentials and experience.
“It provides the government with advice to ensure our ag industry remains competitive and innovative, while attracting investment, creating jobs and putting food on the tables of Alberta families and families across the country and around the world,” Sigurdson said.
Buckley and all appointees will assume their positions on March 21, 2025.
“I am honoured to be appointed chair of the Marketing Council board,” Buckley said. “I’ve enjoyed the past three years on council, particularly helping amalgamate the former wheat and barley commissions and our continued focus on marketing board and commission bylaws.
“I look forward to working with my fellow council members, our boards and commissions and Minister Sigurdson to help ensure agriculture remains a strong and thriving sector in Alberta.”
Additional appointments include Henricus Bos as the vice-chair. Three new members joining the council include Ian Chitwood, Susan Schafers, and David Moss. Returning membership include John Guelly, Susan Novak, and Frank Robinson.
