Green Hectares Vision Statement
One farm to the world:  Building knowledge networks to achieve agricultural excellence.
Green Hectares Mission Statement
Growing agricultural knowledge by providing opportunities for all to learn, teach, meet and compete.
Green Hectares Values
Integrity:  Do the right thing •           be ethical •           be trustworthy •           be true to ourselves and others   Relationships :  Value all others •           encourage relationships with community •           build synergies with partners •           encourage diverse thought   Initiative: Say what we’ll do, do what we say •           pursue innovation with passion •           continually learn and improve •           foster creativity in others   Stewardship:  Optimize our resources •           promote agricultural best practices •           lead environmental stewardship •           equip others to succeed •           be financially responsible   Excellence:  Always pursue it •           set and achieve goals •           measure performance •           influence agricultural efficiency and excellence •           recognize and reward success

 

---

The Josephburg Agricultural Society is the non profit organization hosting the project known as: Green Hectares. This project is going to be developed in Strathcona County. The Josephburg Agricultural Society has a long standing history of providing support to the agricultural community through organized events and project development. The Josephburg Agricultural Society truly believes in the value of the next generation.

Planning is essential for a viable future in agriculture. Studies have shown a dramatic decrease in the number of people involved in agriculture in the under 35 years of age category. In order to address this problem, as well as the growing gap between the urban and rural connect, we need to be able to provide public education about agriculture, agricultural education, economic development and demonstration projects to ensure that the family farm thrives in the coming years.

Green Hectares is focused on providing the rural and urban parts of the Strathcona County community with a unique education, social experience and technologies in agriculture unlike anything they have ever experienced.

For the young adult in agriculture learning and training that is relevant and current is crucial. The Centre will be a highly effective way to train through model education and hands-on learning. The training and technology will be easily accessible to young farmers regardless of physical location.

As stewards of the land we need to promote and educate individuals, families, communities and organizations about sound ecological care. We need to create a greater awareness around caring for the land that sustains us all. The Centre will act as a knowledge base and working model for individuals and organizations to integrate all aspects of sustainable agricultural living.

As a demonstration site the Centre will embrace and promote leading and best practices with regards to technology in agriculture. The Centre will use webcast technology to maximize accessibility and learning opportunities. 24 hour cameras will document and demonstrate the day to day activities of the farm; experiences that most people in agriculture take for granted, such as the birth of a calf, will be made accessible to the urban community.