AWC announces director-at-large election and nomination results in region 3

 Following yesterday’s nomination deadline, AWC is announcing that there will be an election for its director-at-large position while two directors and two regional representatives have been elected by acclamation in region 3. The director-at-large represents farmers from across the province as part of AWC’s governance structure.

The full slate of AWC positions open to farmers this year included the director-at-large position, two region 3 director positions and three region 3 regional representative (rep) positions.

AWC is pleased to announce that Jason Lenz and Trevor Petersen have been elected by acclamation in region 3. Lenz joins AWC’s board for the first time following his service as an AWC regional rep since 2012 while Petersen continues his role following two prior years on the board. Lenz farms in the Bentley area and Petersen farms near Penhold. Lenz replaces Terry Young of Lacombe whose term on the AWC board is coming to an end.

Director-at-large candidates include Janine Paly who farms in the Thorhild area and Kendall Freed who farms near Vegreville. The election will take place over a series of secret ballot votes at AWC’s five Next Level Farming events held throughout the province in November and December. Results will be announced following the final Next Level Farming event on December 12 in Lethbridge. Biographies of the candidates will be made available at the meetings and posted on the AWC website.

As of October 31, two of three regional rep positions were also filled by acclamation by Kevin Bender who farms near Sylvan Lake and Kent Erickson who farms near Irma. Bender is stepping into the regional rep position after serving on AWC’s board since its inception. Bender will remain in his board Chair position until AWC’s AGM at the end of January 2019. Erickson has also served with AWC since its inception and held the Chair role from 2012 to January 2016 before stepping into the regional rep role.

One regional representative position remains open for nominations. Wheat farmers who attend the region 3 Next Level Farming event in Lacombe on November 13 can nominate one of their peers during the meeting.

Dates and locations for Next Level Farming events can be found here. To be eligible to vote in the director-at-large election and to nominate and vote for the region 3 regional representative position, farmers must have grown and sold wheat within the last three years and paid service charge to AWC. All positions will take effect following AWC’s AGM.