We are a group of farmers & ranchers providing positive support for an irrigation project in the MD of Acadia. Formed March 2020.
We strive to educate, inform, advocate and collaborate with all stakeholders in government & private industry to make the Acadia Irrigation Project a reality.
This is the largest agricultural project our area has ever seen. We want to educate:
- community members
- producers
- government
on the benefits & impact of this project.
By securing irrigation infrastructure for the MD of Acadia we believe it will become a catalyst for economic & community development. We strive to be the voice of the community & provide the vision to move this project forward.
Project Estimated Timeline: 5 – 8 years
Darold Niwa, P.Ag. CCSC
Darold Niwa was born & raised in Acadia Valley,received a degree in agriculture majoring in agronomy & continuing education from the University of Saskatchewan. He has been a Professional Agrologist for 42 years and seen agriculture all over North America. He has lived & practiced Agrology in all 3 Prairie provinces & on his own small farm in Acadia Valley since 1997. His work in crop protection management for BASF for 32 years, many of those in the irrigation districts in southern Alberta, and working for United Farmers of Alberta in various roles for 8 years throughout Alberta gives Darold a keen edge of business acumen & agronomy knowledge. He is proud to be a farmer.
Gordon Specht
Journeymen Red Seal Automotive Mechanic, 2nd Class Power Engineer
Gordon was born and raised in Acadia Valley, Alberta. He is a third-generation farmer and hopes that his children will eventually become involved in becoming the fourth generation of farmers. Gordon is married to Cheryl with 2 children, Jacinta and Reese. Gordon started working off the farm with goal of eventually just farming full time. Gordon after graduating Grade 12 started working at Pioneer Grain in Acadia Valley for approximately 2 years at which point decided to be signed up to apprentice as an Auto Mechanic at Acadia Valley Farm Supplies. After achieving his Automotive Journeymen, he decided to go back to Medicine Hat College for Power Engineering. In 1991 Gordon started a full-time operator position at Canadian Fertilizer Ltd. In Medicine Hat, AB. Gordon continues to work at Canadian Fertilizer Ltd. as a Shift Supervisor and is interested in retiring to farm in near future.
Scott Niwa
Scott Niwa was born and raised in Acadia Valley. He has been actively farming with his brother for over 30 years in the Acadia Valley, Oyen area. Scott is married to Lori with 2 children, Drew and Nicollette. He is a 4th generation farmer with his son and nephew starting as the NEW 5th generation. Scott has seen tremendous and positive change in the agriculture industry over my more than 30 years! Irrigation is the ultimate next step in innovation and diversification of Agriculture in our area. It's exciting times for the new generation and more importantly our community and he wants to offer anything he can to make it a reality.
Steven Heeg
Feasibility Study (Completed)
Conducting in 2005 & 2019. Project has been deemed feasible.
Water Allocation Secured (Completed)
The MD of Acadia has secured water rights from the Red Deer River.
Government Funding
Secure $136mil from Government to pay for the infrastructure capital and O&E.
Environmental Impact Analysis
All required environmental and historical resource assessments.
Irrigation Development
Concurrent with the EIA, the final Irrigation Development scenario should be completed, along with any updated land classification requirements and updating the IDM and WRMM modelling.
Preliminary Engineering Study
The preliminary engineering study would follow, including finalizing the concept and completing preliminary design of all infrastructure components.
Regulatory Approvals
After completion of the EIA, finalization of the development area, and the preliminary engineering study, all applications for regulatory approvals should be made.
Detailed Design
Final design of the infrastructure can proceed during the regulatory application process, including preparation of contract documents.
Construction
Finally, project contracts can be tendered, and construction completed.