Newly sworn in Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced his new Agriculture and Forestry Minister Tuesday morning.

Incumbent Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Devin Dreeshen is taking on the file.

His father, Earl Dreeshen, is the MP for the area in the Red Deer-Mountain view riding.

From 2008 to 2015, Devin Dreeshen was as a policy advisor to Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz advocating for Canadian agriculture trade, improved rural infrastructure support, and ending the Canadian Wheat Board.

The Central Alberta farmer served as a Director on the Western Canadian Wheat Board before starting his career in politics, and also started his own consulting business advising agricultural stakeholders on trade issues.

The Western Canadian Wheat Growers is congratulating the newly sworn in Ministers, saying they're particularly pleased with Dreeshen's appointment to the ag file.

"It is appropriate that as we anticipate improvements to agriculture policy in Alberta, that we have an active farmer in the role of Minister,” said the Wheat Growers Alberta Vice President, Stephen Vandervalk who farms near Fort Macleod.

The group has asked Dreeshen to call upon his former colleagues as needed in the days ahead.

travis toews facebook
Grande Prairie-Wapiti MLA, Travis Toews. Photo courtesy of Toews' Facebook.

Another agriculture highlight in the Cabinet announcement is the appointment of Grande Prairie-Wapiti MLA, Travis Toews, as Finance Minister.

Toews is a past Canadian Cattlemen's Association President and owns and manages both a cattle operation and an oilfield environmental company with his wife.

He also holds his CMA and CPA accounting designations.