For three-quarters of a century, the CWB has worked for Prairie farmers, marketing their grain to countries around the world. Today, the CWB is Prairie farmers’ own marketing organization, with 75,000 farmers selling their wheat, durum and barley through a collective model to customers in more than 70 countries.
“This milestone is particularly significant to many international customers, who view our longevity as a sign of stability in an often volatile world market environment,” said Allen Oberg, a farmer from Forestburg, Alberta, who chairs the CWB’s farmer-controlled board of directors.
Prairie grain farmers’ marketing organization has undergone major change since its inception in 1935. The most important of these changes occurred when farmers assumed control of their marketing organization. The first farmer-controlled board of directors assumed responsibility on Dec. 31, 1998, replacing government-appointed commissioners.
“We have come a long way over the years, but we must continue to evolve,” Oberg said. “We need to ensure that farmers are firmly in control of their marketing organization. We must also continue to strive to ensure that CWB programs are meeting farmers’ needs, and we need to better demonstrate the value that the CWB adds to farm businesses.”
The CWB’s 75th anniversary is being marked with events and activities for farmers and customers: the creation of a customer-focussed video, a contest for farmers, an online photo gallery, and a special reception in Shanghai, China, for valued grain customers and government officials.
