UFA Historical Highlights Welcome Become a Member | Contact UFA Loading Our News ACCA Co operative Youth Program celebrates it's 50th Anniversary Read More UFA helps members protect their property and everything on it Read More Our Co op News Archive Our Community News Archive BROWSE OUR 2009PRODUCT CATALOGUE UFA is 100 years young and the best is yet to come Richard Peter Chair Centennial Committee Deep Roots Promising Future UFA got its start as a local co operative on January 14 1909 the result of the amalgamation of the Canadian Society for Equity and Alberta Farmers Association Today it's a progressive multi billion dollar organization dedicated to serving rural people and communities across Western Canada At a glance you'll see a network of 36 Farm and Ranch Supply stores acquired retail stores more than 115 petroleum locations and 120 000 active members In 2007 Alberta Venture magazine recognized the co operative as one of Alberta's most respected corporations UFA is Canada's largest re seller of diesel products serving rural communities throughout Alberta B C and Saskatchewan In some ways you could say UFA thrives on four cornerstones: agriculture petroleum and construction operations as well as community investment Though proud of their past achievements they're equally focused on creating opportunities for UFA's long term growth Here are highlights of where the corporation stands now and their focus for the future: AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS UFA provides more than 30 000 products and services to rural customers across the province including crop protection feed and livestock supplies grain handling and storage petroleum and automotive and building services The retail network includes 36 Farm & Ranch Supply stores and eight acquired retail stores The network is constantly evolving to better serve customers – this year UFA opened two new stores in Pincher Creek and St Paul both including petroleum services UFA has nearly doubled the size of its Red Deer Farm and Ranch Supply store to make more room for hunting camping fishing and lifestyle products This initiative is the result of extensive market research and is a very preliminary step in UFA's Retail Lifestyle Expansion initiative Based on early results the co operative expects customers will begin seeing select in store changes over the next few years These changes are all targeted to fulfilling the needs of members and customers who live work and play in rural communities As part of UFA's Retail Lifestyle Expansion strategy the co operative acquired the largest outdoor outfitter in western Canada with seven locations from Winnipeg to Kamloops Spruceland Lumber a leading building supply operation in Fort McMurry was acquired in 2007 Although still operating under the Spruceland banner it gives UFA a profitable presence in one of the hottest construction markets in Canada During 2008 UFA has been strategically introducing its Progressive Farm project which is designed to strengthen relationships with small to medium sized operations and grow share of the large farm market The co operative has taken measures such as establishing an enterprise solutions team introducing Key Account Managers and evolving the range of products services and solutions As part of this strategy UFA opened fertilizer plants in Stetler and Vulcan in 2008 Such steps are focused on growing its position as a partner of choice for Alberta producers PETROLEUM OPERATIONS With the purchase of Maple Leaf Petroleum in 1957 UFA firmly established itself as an independent fuel provider for members and customers This acquisition set the stage for developing a petroleum network and the introduction of a petroleum Cardlock system which revolutionized the way members and customers purchase bulk fuel Today they have 24 7 access to the biggest cardlock system in Alberta Today UFA's interests in the petroleum sector account for two thirds of the cooperative's annual revenue A strong petroleum network is a key element of a plan to grow a healthy UFA for years to come In 2007 they introduced a new petroleum location in Redcliff and relocated services in Athabasaca Camrose and Lethbridge In keeping with UFA's commitment to achieving the highest standards in everything it does they are helping their Petroleum agents prepare to achieve the Certificate of Recognition COR awarded by Alberta Employment Immigration and Industry Earning this certification acknowledges an organization's highest standards of health and safety Already in 2008 UFA Farm and Ranch Supply stores its distribution centre in Edmonton and head office in Calgary received this recognition UFA knows the global petroleum market is one of rapid change They are preparing for the future by exploring various opportunities such as supply pool management and expanding its role as a retailer UFAs extensive cardlock system has shown that over time what starts out as an ancillary business can become a service that members and customers count on every day CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS The launch of UFA Construction in 2007 formalized the organization's 25 years of experience in agricultural capital projects and providing front line building products and services to members and customers The successful acquisition and integration of firms such as Stirdon Betker in 1998 and Bar W Petroleum and Electric in 2007 has made UFA a full service provider for construction customers The co operative can act as a general contractor and provide “turnkey” solutions handling the design and project development UFA Construction is focused on large scale commercial municipal and industrial construction projects that will tap into Alberta's estimated $1 6 billion construction industry UFA construction is already helping to build the rural landscape as a key player in one of the largest Alberta construction projects outside of Calgary and Fort McMurray They're constructing the backstretch buildings – including ten barns administration building and a dormitory for the Racing and Entertainment Centre at Balzac 2007 revenues from construction increased 45 per cent over revenues from 2006 COMMUNITY INVESTMENT Over the past year the UFA has enhanced a community investment strategy calling it “Learning and Living in the Country ” It focuses on the top priorities outlined by the UFA community: education and rural life A portion of the annual $1 million community investment budget is delegated to three major partnerships: Alberta 4 H Alberta Farm Safety Centre and Ronald McDonald Houses of Alberta Farm safety has and always will be a number one priority for UFA Over the past 18 months the co operative has established a new path to delivering farm safety education to children They now sponsor the UFA Safety Smarts Program an initiative with the Alberta Farm Safety Council Working together they're going to reach an estimated 40 times more children each year than past efforts and with UFA support the program is now available province wide The UFA Hometown Classroom Connection shows what can be achieved when open minds and common goals prevail Working with Ronald McDonald House UFA developed an initiative that builds on tradition of helping rural families during tough times Thanks to leading edge technology patients and their siblings staying at Ronald McDonald House in Calgary can continue their education while they're away from home Because of a recent expansion this opportunity will also soon be available in Edmonton Through initiative UFA provides hope for sick children and their families and keeps them connected to their communities during what is unquestionably a stressful time The co operative is now Alberta 4 H's largest corporate investor having pledged $1 million over five years in a combination of cash and in kind support It's a commitment to building leadership in rural communities Over the years UFA has touched countless people Members employees and the people who live in the rural communities across the West have contributed to a successful past and will grow the future Join UFA at centennial events throughout the year as they celebrate their deep roots and promising future Your Hometown Co operative for 100 years 1909The Canadian Society of Equity and Alberta Farmers Association amalgamate and become United Farmers of Alberta 1915United Farm Women of Alberta is formed operating under the same constitution as UFA 1918UFA's charter is amended and limited farm supply business is conducted through the locals purchasing a limited number of bulk items in carload quantities 1921Dissatisfaction with existing political parties convinced the farmers to form their own political organization UFA wins 38 of 60 seats and forms the new provincial government 1921Irene Parlby leader of the United Farm Women of Alberta and member of the “Famous Five” is elected to the legislature Parlby subsequently becomes Canada's first female cabinet minister 1925The UFA government gains provinces control over natural resources and promotes equal access to education and health care for rural communities 1932UFA Central Co operative is established to co ordinate and centralize the buying power of UFA locals 1935UFA partners with Maple Leaf Petroleum a subsidiary of Imperial Oil A new era in UFA history begins 1939Members pass a resolution to take UFA out of Alberta's political arena and focus their attention on the farm supply and petroleum businesses 1948Alberta Farmers' Union and UFA amalgamate 1954The first farm supply store is opened in Calgary recording $855 802 in sales during the first year 1957UFA purchases the entire assets of Maple Leaf Petroleum for $1 million and gains independence in its operations for member owners Total UFA revenue is just over $8 million for the year 1958UFA Head Office moves from its shared premises with the Calgary Co op purchasing a building in downtown Calgary 1962The first Youth Program is held aiming to build interpersonal and leadership skills in Alberta youth 1976To satisfy demands for head office space due to rapid growth UFA builds and moves to a new two storey building in southwest Calgary 1977UFA annual revenue reaches $95 million 1982UFA revenue tops $250 million for the first time 1989UFA acquires its northernmost location when a Farm and Ranch Supply store and Petroleum Agency are opened in La Crete 1992The Farm and Ranch Supply and Petroleum distribution warehouses in Edmonton are combined into one 1993A new facility including a Farm and Ranch Supply store and Petroleum Agency opens in Spruce Grove 1995UFA establishes a youth advisory council of 15 members which leads to such initiatives as AGVANTAGE 25 and other youth driven programs 1996UFA's first expansion outside of Alberta – a Cardlock facility in Dawson Creek B C 1997Grand re opening of new stores in Claresholm Grimshaw and Hanna 1998UFA expands into Saskatchewan – with a Cardlock facility in Kindersley – and purchases Stirdon Systems 1999UFA's 34th Farm and Ranch Supply store opens in Mayerthorpe 2000UFA's Cardlock network grows to 92 locations 2001Stirdon Systems is instrumental in assisting UFA with its acquisition of Betker Livestock of Saskatoon 2003Red Deer Regional Farm and Ranch Supply store and the first three convenience stores in Red Deer La Crete and Vulcan open 100th Cardlock opens in Forestburg 2004For the first time UFA's revenues top $1 billion UFA opens its second Regional Farm and Ranch Supply store in Camrose UFA joins the Commercial Fuelling Network CFN 2005Drayton Valley expands to a new location combining Petroleum with a convenience store and Farm and Ranch Supply store New Petroleum Agency opens in Whitecourt 2006New Farm and Ranch Supply store petroleum location and convenience store opens in Stettler 2008Red Deer Farm and Ranch Supply store almost doubles in size – a pilot program offers outdoor lifestyle products including hunting fishing and camping 2008UFA acquires Wholesale Sports the largest outdoor outfitter in Western Canada 2008UFA prepares to celebrate its 100 year anniversary and open a new Calgary Support Office HELP CENTRE Contact Us Frequently Asked Questions Site Map Store & Agency Locator ABOUT UFA Become a Member Careers at UFA Our Centennial Our Heritage Our Network Environment Health & Safety Governance PRODUCTS Animal Care Feed and Companion Animals Clothing Buildings and Building Supplies Tools and Shop Supplies Automotive Grain & Forage Production Trailers SERVICES Farm Supply Petroleum Crop Production Solutions Construction and Building Shipping and Delivery PRIVACY Privacy Policy Terms of Use Site Map | MSDS | Contact UFA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use©2009 UFA Limited All rights are reserved Any use of materials including reproduction modification distribution or republication without the prior written permission of UFA is strictly prohibited