NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
November 8, 2007
CSA Receives $250,000 Gift
for Genetic Improvement and Provides Matching Funding
Garth Sweet Simmental Foundation Created
CSA President Murray Jacobson, Judy Sweet and CSA
Board Member Stewart Ainsworth |
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Edmonton, Alberta – Northlands – The Canadian Simmental
Association (CSA) today (Nov 8th) received the largest
individual gift in its 40-year history in Canada.
Judy Sweet, of 4 S Simmental in Drayton Valley, Alberta
presented a cheque to CSA President Murray Jacobson for
$250,000 in memory of her late husband, Garth Sweet. The
presentation took place at the National Simmental Show and
Sale at Northlands. The Sweets have been CSA members since
1982.
Mrs. Sweet requested that the gift be used for research and
development in the Simmental breed with a primary focus on
genetic improvement. At its recent meeting, the CSA Board
agreed to match the gift, bringing the total to $500,000.
“The Simmental breed and pedigrees were Garth’s love and I
am honored to do this on his behalf,” says Mrs. Sweet. “This
was a way for me to see the breed go further, keep his name
alive and also encourage others to contribute to the
Foundation for the betterment of the breed.”
With today’s announcement, the CSA renamed its recently
established CSA Foundation to the Garth Sweet Simmental
Foundation. The foundation was announced as part of the
Association’s 40th Anniversary celebrations launched at its
Annual General Meeting this past August in Ottawa.
The Foundation will administer funds from various
fundraising initiatives in three main areas: genetic
research and development; the Dr. Dixon Scholarship program;
and youth development through the Youth Canadian Simmental
Association.
“We are honoured and overwhelmed at Mrs. Sweet’s generosity
and her focus on the future of the Simmental breed,
particularly as the CSA celebrates its 40th Anniversary,”
says Jacobson. “We will ensure this gift and the matching
funds from the CSA are used to secure Simmental’s continued
place as the breed of choice and Garth Sweet’s legacy in the
purebred beef community.”
Dr. Bob Kemp of RAK Genetic Consulting Ltd. based in
Lethbridge, AB, a genetics consultant who has worked
extensively with the CSA, will oversee the funds and
research projects.
“This is an outstanding gift that will create significant
opportunities to move genetic improvement programs for the
breed and the purebred industry to the next level,” says
Kemp. “My aim will also be to find additional project
partners and I think it is realistic to predict the total
pool of funding could top $1 million.”
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For more information, please contact:
Bruce Holmquist
Industry/Member Liaison
Canadian Simmental Association
Cell: (403) 988-8676
bholmquist@simmental.com
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