Irrigation Council
Slomp, Klaas
Klaas Slomp, a graduate of the Lethbridge College Vocational Ag Program, has worked in the agriculture sector for more than 40 years. He was a managing partner in a large, diversified farming operation and is involved in environmental stewardship and food safety. He has been a director and chair for the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District, board member on the Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council, director and vice-chair for Alberta Milk, director of the Lethbridge Milk Producers, member and chair of the Policy Advisory Committee of the Alberta Dairy Control Board, and chair of the Regional Appeal Board of the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation.
Executive Director, Water Infrastructure & Operations
Executive Director, Natural Resource Management
Miyanaga, Mark
A third-generation farmer, Mr. Miyanaga currently operates a farm along with his two cousins in southern Alberta, having learned much about farming from his grandfathers, father and uncle. Mark holds an Irrigation Technology Diploma from the Lethbridge College. With the large role irrigation plays on his farm, Mark has considerable first-hand experience in a variety of irrigation methods. Mark has been responsible for maintenance and scheduling of irrigation systems for over 25 years and manages 30 employees during the harvest season. Mark has also been an active member on many non-profit boards including Potato Growers of Alberta and the Alberta Vegetable Growers (Processing). In addition, Mark enjoys outreach activities that allow him to discuss his love of agriculture and how food is grown in Alberta.
Appels, Willemijn
Dr. Appels is Senior Research Chair at Lethbridge College, where she leads the Mueller Irrigation Research Group. She and her team investigate how new technological and management techniques for precision irrigation can be implemented in southern Alberta. This research is shaped in close collaboration with local producers, the provincial government, and the irrigation districts. Hailing from the Netherlands, Willemijn trained as a hydrologist at Wageningen University.
Logan, Glenn
Glenn Logan and family operate a 116 year old irrigated/dryland farm in Lomond, Alberta. Glenn is an irrigator in the Bow River Irrigation District and has served for the past 20 years on the Board of Directors until 2024. He has served on many provincial and national boards and is currently the president of the Canadian Seed Growers' Association. Glenn is also a director in the Agriculture for Life organization and firmly believes in youth Ag Education.
Franz, Gary
Gary Franz is a third-generation irrigated specialty crop and beef producer and is also an advocate for the agri-food industry in the Medicine Hat region. He has previously served for 14 years on the St. Mary River Irrigation District board and has volunteered for numerous boards and committees within his community. Gary enjoyed 10 plus years as leader of a local 4H Club and a member of District 4H Beef Council. He has been recognized with the “Friends of 4H Award” and the “AIPA ?Recognition Award” for his contributions.