Toma and Bouma have undertaken numerous studies and projects involving livestock and crop production and even in the new emerging areas of nutraceuticals, functional foods and bioproducts. These issues are central to water and land use and economic activities in the province, nationally and globally. Some of our projects include:

Best Management Practices Knowledge Guide, 2005

A Knowledge Guide booklet was prepared and tested in pilot workshops in Alberta with over 100 farmers, advisors and college students. The Knowledge Guide is a first in the world approach to clarify the best management practice concepts for broad application in agriculture. Workshops and guides are available for sponsorship and use. The project involved Wild Rose Agriculture Producers, several Alberta counties and the IAMF program of the Agriculture and Food Council. See www.trafford.com Best Practice of Leading Farmers, CARD, AAFC, 2004

Testing the same concepts of best practice against the farm sector was done in a Western Canada survey of leading farmers and validated with international experts from the UK, USA and AU. Results of the project show that leading farmers have 9 Best Management Practices and are generally doing better than the overall farm sector. Project findings have been presented to Canadian farmers and in 2005 to a Texas A&M conference in Mexico with international farmers. See www.leadingfarmers.com

Value Chain Initiative, 1998

Toma & Bouma were first to identify value chains (also known as supply chains) as a critical dimension in developing a value added strategy. Since 1998, the firm developed a detailed plan and implementation strategy to facilitate the formulation of value chains both in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The firm has also conducted numerous workshops and facilitated the formation of working value chains.

Pursuit of Quality, 1997

In response to the challenge of building a $20 billion value added industry and a $10 billion production sector, Toma & Bouma developed a detailed strategic plan for the province. Thirteen recommendations dealt with food safety, environmental sustainability, regulatory review, infrastructure, research and innovation capacity, market development and human resources. A novel planning process including scenario analysis and one scenario featured food safety issues.

Alberta Milk, 1997

Toma & Bouma conducted a producer representation study that examined the structure of the Alberta milk industry. The report provided three options and a recommendation that producers be bettered represented in their own industry. As result, the industry was restructured and Alberta Milk was formed to provide more effective producer representation.

Changing Course, 1996

This foundation study reviewed how Alberta fit within the global food system and benchmarked policies and programs against the EU, the USA and others. On-site research identified new models for recommendations, which included the formation of AVAC Ltd., value chains, new research investments and a re-balanced department with more emphasis on value added. Many of these strategies have now been implemented in the province.