POLICY LAB ON WATER SUSTAINABILITY IN ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURE THROUGH DIGITALIZATION
At the Simpson Centre, we believe that real change in water sustainability in agriculture requires more than scientific knowledge – it needs firsthand experience of the stakeholders involved. That’s why we’re organizing a policy lab aimed at co-creating a roadmap for water sustainability in Alberta’s agriculture through digitalization.
As part of the Alberta Digitalization Agriculture (ABDIAG) program, the Simpson Centre is launching a policy lab of three sessions to bring together diverse voices from the agricultural sector. This collaborative effort will shape innovative policies that leverage digitalization to ensure a sustainable water future for Alberta’s agriculture.
What is a policy lab?
A policy lab is an initiative designed to foster the development, experimentation, and implementation of innovative public policies. It is a collaborative platform where people from different sectors come together to create and test new policy ideas. It uses design thinking, evidence, and feedback to solve complex issues through ongoing improvement and stakeholder involvement.
What is the Simpson Centre’s policy lab about?
To address Alberta’s water availability challenges in agriculture, this policy lab will create a roadmap for improving water sustainability in agriculture through digitalization. Crop and livestock producers, researchers, industry experts, government officials, irrigation districts, and Indigenous communities will collaborate to develop a plan to optimize water use, protect the environment, and support business growth.
Where we are in the journey:
This Policy Lab is a multi-phase initiative designed to foster collaboration and generate impactful solutions:
- Session 1 (27th November 2024 – Completed):
In the first session, we worked together to define the problem, identifying key challenges in water sustainability within Alberta’s agricultural landscape. - Session 2 (4th March 2025):
The upcoming session will focus on producers’ needs, challenges, and opportunities when it comes to leveraging digital tools to enhance water sustainability in Alberta’s agriculture. Digitalization includes tools like sensors, satellites, and advanced data analysis that improve farming practices. Register here. Spaces are limited. If you are a producer interested in water sustainability and digitalization, please reach out for registration. - Session 3 (Later in 2025):
The final session will bring together all contributions to create a comprehensive roadmap for implementing innovative policies and practices for water sustainability in Alberta’s agriculture.
THIS JOURNEY IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO CO-CREATE IMPACTFUL, PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS!
WHERE:
The second session of the policy lab scheduled for 4 March 2025 will be at the University of Calgary Spy hill Campus, 11877 85 St NW, Calgary, AB T3R 1J3, Canada
How can you be involved?
Complete an 8-10 minute survey administered by Qualtrics.
Share your thoughts on water sustainability issues and identify existing initiatives in water management and sustainability using digitization in Alberta. Your input will shape a transformative Policy Lab, bringing together diverse voices to co-create a roadmap for advancing water sustainability through digital innovation.
The survey is accessible through the following link and QR code:
Contact us for more information:
PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR.
Guillaume Lhermie
Director, The Simpson Centre
E: [email protected]
PROJECT RESEARCHER.
Juhi Huda
Research Associate, The Simpson Centre
E: [email protected]