UFA is starting to earn a voice in the innovation community with growing exposure. The co-operative has been invited to either participate on or act as a moderator for panels of influencers during ag innovation events and continues to form strategic partnerships that will help gain access to important new resources.
“It’s about making sure we remain aligned to our strategic aspirations and that we're really hooked into driving value in those key operations,” says Janay Meisser, Director of Innovation, UFA. “We follow market trends and identify opportunities. We’re pivoting, we’re modifying, we’re adjusting to make sure we’re adding value for our co-operative and ultimately, our members and customers.”
One of the most recent opportunities was born from participation with Rainforest Alberta, an organization of people working together to improve Alberta's innovation ecosystem. Described as an inclusive, silo-busting, sector-agnostic, all-industry, open-source, ego-shrinking, ecosystem-building, entrepreneur-focused, wide-open, social-barrier-smashing community, UFA is proud to be participating with them helping to grow the invisible infrastructure that underlies successful innovation communities right here in Alberta.
“UFA has been around for 111 years and although we are a century old co-operative, we have always pushed the needle and been progressive in many ways, including having two of the Famous 5, Irene Parlby and Louise McKinney, on our Board back in 1912,” says Meisser. “Moving into the innovation space demonstrates our commitment to progress, to look for solutions that help our members and customers improve their business, increase efficiencies, and provide or enhance products and services that align with our core purpose.”
She adds that, “We are all innovators. We find solutions to problems on the daily. Whether we recognize it or not, we are all problem solvers. We are very excited to be taking the next steps within our innovation initiative and are proud to work with groups like Rainforest Alberta.”
Meisser recently had the opportunity to host Karen Schuett, Founder and CEO of Livestock Water Recycling (LWR), on the latest episode of Rainforest Alberta's podcast series. LWR uses innovative technology to remove manure contaminants, extract water, and segregate valuable fertilizer nutrients at large livestock operations.
Listen to the podcast here and watch for more exciting news from Innovation at UFA.
