Farm Management Canada (FMC) recently held its Agricultural Excellence Conference in Calgary, Alberta where Merle Good was announced as the 2016 recipient of the prestigious Wilson Loree Award. Now in its fourteenth year, the Award honours individuals or groups who have made an extraordinary contribution to advancing agricultural business management practices in Canada.
“His footprint and passion for farm management is a true legacy,” states Rick Taillieu, who nominated Merle Good on behalf of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission, representing more than 14,000 canola growers.
Merle worked for the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture in Alberta from 1977 to 2014. He began his career as an Agricultural Loans Officer before beginning his 30+ year career as both a Farm Management Specialist and the Provincial Agricultural Tax Specialist.
Merle currently operates a private Farm Management Consulting business assisting farmers with business structures and succession planning, as well as speaking at conferences and meetings on these topics.
While Merle has continuously provided direct support, education and information to primary producers, he is also known to leverage his expertise to provide other professionals with the information and skills to succeed in the farm management arena. Merle is the driving force behind the annual tax update for professionals in both Alberta & Saskatchewan.
While known as a leading expert, Merle has never forgotten the day-to-day operational needs of both primary producers and processors. His extension efforts continue to provide practical, useful and easy to follow tools and techniques to support producers in managing their bottom line.
Upon notification of receiving the Wilson Loree Award, Merle shared “This is a real honour. I met Wilson for the very first time as a student in the U of A where he was a guest lecturer. I thought what a neat job he [Wilson Loree] has, educating farmers in financial management. I did not ever think then that I would become a member of the Farm Management Branch in Alberta Agriculture, and Wilson my Branch Head.”
Wilson Loree personally presented the award to Merle Good at the Agricultural Excellence Conference. “…Being able to present the award to Merle was very special to me – to be able to give recognition to someone who I hired many years ago and watched mature into a great contributor to Canadian farmers,” said Wilson.Wilson Loree retired as Branch Head of Agriculture Business Management after 27 years with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. Wilson is cited as “an individual who exemplifies innovation, wisdom, and a constant focus on the farm manager and the farm family.” Currently Wilson resides in Calgary, Alberta.
Source : Albertacanola