By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Melody Garner-Skiba to Provide Renewed Focus for Alberta Sugar Beet Growers

Jul 4, 2016 | 10:41 AM

TABER – Drawing from her roots in the agriculture industry, Melody Garner-Skiba is ready to take the helm as Executive Director for the Alberta Sugar Beet Growers Association (ASBG).

Growing up farming and ranching in Saskatchewan and with her family at their Rocking Heart Ranch in Southern Alberta, has given Garner-Skiba an appreciation for local producers.

She is also no stranger to non-profit organizations, putting in countless hours with Lethbridge Family Services, the Canadian Home Builder’s Association and Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. She noted that skills learned with those organizations will come in handy stepping into this new position.

“Ag has always been in my blood. When this opportunity came along where I could take my roots and marry that with my passion for advocacy, and my passion for non-profit association management… It felt like I was coming home,” said Garner-Skiba.

She noted that Taber and area are one of the only domestic sugar beet growers in Canada, and the ASBG represents over 200 producers.

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In her role as Executive Director for less than a week, alongside the Board of Directors, Garner-Skiba has already identified four areas that she’d like to prioritize. The focus will be set on building relationships with producers, stakeholders and processers, as well as ensuring the association’s value through good governance.

Garner-Skiba stated time and again that the sugar beet industry is key for Southern Alberta, and she will be committed to spreading that message.

The ASBG Board was incorporated in 1965, with the goal of providing a unified voice for producers, guiding research for the industry and representing producers at all levels.