UFA Proud Participant in International Year of Co-Operatives 2012

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Jan. 10, 2012) - Thursday, January 12 marks the Canadian launch of the 2012 United Nations International Year of Co-operatives (IYC). UFA Co-operative Limited is proud to be one of many co-operatives participating in this year's events and honoured to be chosen to host one of the nine provincial launch events.

The launch event is being held at the UFA Red Deer Farm and Ranch Supply store on January 12 at 10:15 a.m. MST and will feature a live internet broadcast from Ottawa at 10:30 a.m. MST. This launch coincides with the integrated national launch taking place at 14 cities across Canada.

UFA was identified as one of the most well-known Canadian co-operatives by IYC. "For the last 103 years, UFA has been a vital part of Alberta heritage and continues to be a driving force in agriculture, petroleum and retail markets," says Jim Watt, UFA Chief Governance Officer. "At the heart of UFA is our unwavering commitment to our members and owners. This approach significantly differentiates our co-operative from other models of business."

The launch event is in support of the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives celebrating the social and economic contributions of co-operative enterprises throughout the world. The theme for 2012 is Co-operative Enterprises Build a Better World.

For more information about UFA, please visit our website at www.UFA.com. If you would like to find out about the launch events or other IYC details, please visit www.canada2012.coop/. As well, a link to the live internet broadcast is located here: www.livestream.com/accaiyc.

UFA Co-operative Limited is one of Alberta's most dynamic enterprises. UFA has an unmatched network of more than 110 bulk fuel and cardlock petroleum outlets, 35 Farm and Ranch Supply stores and 25 outdoor adventure stores operating under the Wholesale Sports banner. Our employees and independent petroleum agents strive to provide products, services, and solutions to farmers, ranchers, consumers and commercial accounts throughout Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

Since its founding in 1909, UFA has grown from a small-scale local co-operative into a comprehensive enterprise with 2 billion in annual sales and more than 110,000 active members. While UFA has grown and changed over the years, at our heart remains a commitment to agriculture and to the communities we call home.