Growing the B.E.S.T. little Farmers’ Market in Southern AB

The question being asked will no longer be about the location or parking at the Brooks Farmers’ Market. Instead, every Thursday between 2-6PM B.eautiful veterans park will host an E.ngaging array of vendors, buskers and community groups. A S.hopping experience for locals and T.ourists to enjoy. With plenty of reserved parking for vehicles and bikes!

“We are very excited to watch the growth and expansion of the Brooks Farmers’ Market into the B.E.S.T little Farmer’s Market in southern Alberta!” –Jaime McIntosh, Executive Director, Brooks Region Tourism

Andy Wurz of Springview Farms has been a vendor at the Brooks Farmers’ Market for 6 years but the colony has been involved for over 15 years! “I enjoy seeing my regular customers every year and every week. It has been a challenge to make the Brooks farmers market grow but it means so much to us for the support.” 

The Opening Market on May 26 is shaping up to be a great event. The deputy mayor will ring the opening bell at 2PM, there will be live music, exciting new visiting vendors, and a “Best Cheesecake” tasting. Drop in or hang out, Thursday in Veteran’s Park 2-6PM.

Along with favourite local vendors, the Opening Market will host 5 visiting vendors. They will only be at a few markets throughout the season. Let’s prove they made an excellent choice to come to Brooks, let's show up and shop. This will help us grow the B.E.S.T. little Farmers’ Market in Southern Alberta. It will have the visiting vendors asking the question at Farmers’ Markets throughout Alberta, “Will I see you at the Brooks Farmers’ Market?”

Visiting Vendors include: Hasty Coffee, Our Heritage Wheat Co., Cian's Mustard, Mary's Jikoni, and ZypChicks Hemp.

Brooks Farmers’ Market schedule and application.

The Brooks Farmers’ Market is an Alberta Approved Farmers’ Market sponsored by the Rosemary Ag Society. The outdoor Brooks Farmers’ Market season is May 26 thru Oct. 6. There are 20 regular markets and 2 special markets in the 2022 season. Vendors can participate in all 20 markets or weekly.

Community Spirit Events in the County. Council considered ideas for block parties, support lunches, or Harvest suppers. A hands-off approach is being recommended as volunteers are volunteered out. Council decided to investigate more and discuss in July for a 2023 program start.

Cryptocurrency could be mined outside of Tilley. An application was received from Newbit to construct a 10MW power generation and data center 4 km northeast of Tilley. The operation would use natural gas piped to the location from a plant northeast of the proposed development area. The project will take 3 months to build, and would be the first one in Alberta.

Economic impact:

• Estimated Project cost $7 million

• Local Hiring for Site Build (Electricians, Mechanics, Pipefitters, Engineers, Surveyors, Site Services, Cranes, Truck operators, Civil, General labour)

• Building material purchases from local suppliers; rental equipment sourced locally.

• Ongoing Operations (24-hour operations = min 6 full-time operational jobs from Newell County)

Patricia Fire Hall Expansion. With the drawings complete, bids were received from 3 General Contractor’s:

• Chandos Construction - 2,399,888

• Delnor Construction - 2,599,000

• Armor Building Developments - 1,620,656

Simplification of structural, mechanical and electrical systems are being considered to bring the cost to within budget of 1,200,000.

*the average number of calls the Patricia Fire Services goes out on is 12/year.

Brooks Farmers’ Market opens this Thursday
👏👏👏

Will I see you at the Brooks Farmers’ Market?

Thursdays 2-6PM in Veteran’s Park
Opening Market May 26

BROOKS REGION Economic Development Strategic Plan 2022-2025 - This plan is a compilation of direction from elected officials, feedback from staff members, input gathered from local businesses or stakeholders, and data gathered from multiple professional studies and reports.

4 Strategic Focus Areas:

1. Business Retention & Expansion

2. Workforce Development

3. Marketing

4. Tourism

Griffin Park School was originally constructed in 1975 had portables added in 2006 & 2009. The five modular units house Ecole Le Ruisseau, and are owned by the Consel Scolaire FrancoSud. These modular units are expected to be removed by the Consel Scolaire FrancoSud as Ecole le Ruisseau moves to its own facility in the 2022/ 2023 school year.

Kinbrook Connection Pathway "Brick Sponsor" program. A pledge of $200 will get you a brick with your name/message on it. The bricks will be used as decorative pieces in the landscaped areas at the trailhead. Each brick is a 4"x 8" paver and has room for two lines of text with 18 characters each.

CDC South - Lethbridge College runs an Agricultural Applied Research Program at the CDC South greenhouses. The facility grows a variety of strawberries and tomatoes for retail sales through Sunterra Market. Lethbridge College has the capacity to work with farmers and entrepreneurs interested in conducting specific research on a wide range of agricultural practices.