We need your input: risk management for market gardens

Severe weather events, particularly hailstorms, negatively affected market gardens in central Alberta during the summer of 2022. Several operations faced extensive crop damage and have raised concerns about gaps in insurance coverage for market gardens.

We are holding two input advisory group meetings in January to gather information from Alberta’s market garden operators about the risks they face and how risk management programs can be improved to better meet these risks. Currently, market gardens in Alberta are eligible for Straight Hail Insurance, AgriStability and AgriInvest.

Higher diesel prices are raising harvest and freight costs for farmers. Shay Myers of Owyhee Produce says fuel adds nearly $40,000 to weekly operating costs compared with a year ago, while freight costs have doubled.