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CAAP
Application Deadlines:
Projects where the requested amount is over $10,000:
September 13, 2010
Projects where the requested amount is $10,000 or less:
August 23, 2010
For more information on or to apply to the CAAP program, please go to
www.agcouncil.ca/caap.htm.
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CAAP funding update
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 Since April 1, 2009, the ACS Board of Directors has
approved Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) funding for 30
projects for a total commitment of $4,212,122 for Saskatchewan
projects. ACS delivers CAAP in Saskatchewan on behalf of Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).
CAAP is a five-year (2009-2014), $163 million national AAFC initiative.
This federal program encourages farmers, processors, distributors,
and retailers to work together to find innovative solutions to common
concerns and to explore new market opportunities.
CAAP funds projects that align with priorities
identified by industry and/or government at the national, regional
and multi-regional levels by focusing on:
- Seizing opportunities;
- Responding
to new and emerging issues;
- And pathfinding and piloting solutions to
new and ongoing issues.
To
learn more about CAAP or ACS or to download an application form,
please visit www.agcouncil.ca/caap or call
1-800-641-8256 or (306) 975-6847. For more information on national
CAAP, its criteria, or contact information for regional industry
councils, please visit AAFC's website at www.agr.gc.ca/caap or call toll-free at
1-877-290-2188.
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Three new Directors
named to ACS Board
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 The Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan Inc. (ACS)
concluded another successful Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday,
June 18, 2010 with three new members being added to the Board of
Directors, while also electing a new Board Executive. The Industry
Forum following the AGM featured three speakers addressing the theme
Sports Nutrition: Opportunities for Agriculture.
ACS industry members, who represent all facets of Saskatchewan's
agriculture and agri-food sector, welcomed three new Directors to the
Board of Directors: Joy Smith, representing the Saskatchewan Egg
Producers; Tim Wiens of the Saskatchewan Canola Development
Commission; and Dan Prefontaine of the Saskatchewan Food Industry
Development Centre. The new Directors will join the newly
elected Executive which includes Chair Neil Ketilson, of the
Saskatchewan Pork Development Board, Vice-Chair Allen Kuhlmann of the
Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission and Secretary/Treasurer
Jason Dean of the Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association. Kirk
Flaman of the Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers Association, and
Darrell Schneider of the Saskatchewan Food Processors Association
remain on the ACS Board.
ACS also paid tribute to three retiring board members at the AGM.
Valerie Pearson of the Saskatchewan 4-H Council, who served as Chair
of the Board of Directors, served on the Board since 2004. Murray
Purcell of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers was another former Chair of
the Board, first elected to the Board in 2003. And Bob Morgan, who
represented the POS Pilot Plant Corporation, served as the Vice-Chair
of the Board this past year, having been elected to the Board in
2008.
Please click here to
read the entire news release.
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Can 30 Million Bison
Be Wrong?
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 What is the market
value of native grasses and plants? The Native Plant Society of
Saskatchewan (NPSS) is conducting a market assessment survey of the
native plant industry in the Great Plains Region. Chet Neufeld,
Executive Director of the NPSS says anyone who produces or uses
native plants or seeds in any way can participate. The last survey
was done 10 years ago, making updated information crucial.
Funding for the survey has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP).
In Saskatchewan, CAAP is delivered by the Agriculture Council of
Saskatchewan.
The survey is available online until September 30, with those who
complete it entered into a draw for a cash prize. Once the results
have been tabulated, a forum will be held, likely in November, for
all interested parties, with the final results published by December
31.
Despite the common use of imported plants and seeds, the Native Plant
Industry is vibrant. Members of the NPSS include ranchers,
environmental consultants, researchers, and others in the industry.
There are a number of seed producers who operate on a small scale,
often as a sideline to their farming income, as well as some very
large companies. Users of native plants and seeds include government
departments, natural resource industries, and ordinary homeowners.
"One of the big issues," Neufeld says, "is changing
public perceptions and creating awareness of the benefits of native
plants."
To read the rest of this article, please click here.
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Student marketing and
business plan program application deadline today
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The Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan and the University of
Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture and Bioresources, Department of
Agricultural Economics, will be offering the Student Assisted
Business and Marketing Plan Program for another term this fall. The
application deadline for the next series of business and marketing
plan projects is Monday, August 16, 2010.
This program, which has developed over 75 business and marketing
plans over the past two years, brings together university students
with agri-food businesses throughout Saskatchewan. It has provided an
excellent learning opportunity for students looking for experience
within the agri-food industry.
Marketing Plan Program
This program brings together agri-food businesses and organizations
that require a marketing plan with University of Saskatchewan
students who will complete the marketing plan as a project for their
class. The plans include market research, competitor analysis and the
development of marketing strategies. The students are assisted by
professionals from the Canadian Agri-Marketers Association as they
develop the marketing plans, allowing them to further their skills as
agri-food marketers.
Business Plan Program
This program brings together agri-food businesses and organizations
that require a business plan with University of Saskatchewan students
who will complete the plan as a project for their class. All aspects
of a business plan are covered including operations, human resources,
marketing and finance. The students are assisted by professionals as
they develop the business plans, allowing them to further their
skills within the agri-food industry.
Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada's Adaptation programming. In Saskatchewan,
Adaptation programming is delivered by the Agriculture Council of
Saskatchewan (ACS) Inc. Participating organizations will pay $250 of
the $500 cost of the program, with $250 provided through Adaptation
programming.
Please click here for the application form.
For more information, please contact Bryan Kosteroski at 975-6851 or kosteroskib@agcouncil.ca;
or Lesley Dirkson at 975-6847 or dirksonl@agcouncil.ca.
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Funded by:
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Calendar
of Events
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Sep. 12-15, 2010
The 2010 Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC) returns
to Saskatoon this September. It will include four keynote
presentations, 66 expert speakers, and a tradeshow. For more
information, go to the ABIC website.
Sep. 28-29, 2010
Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) Trade
Conference. "Taking Saskatchewan's Best to the World".
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
For more information, please see the STEP website.
Nov. 8-9, 2010
Agri-Investment Symposium. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
The first Agri-Investment Symposium was held in Toronto in March 2010
where 8 agri-based companies were provided with the opportunity to
pitch their innovative business venture to 20 potential
investors. Post-event evaluation results showed high levels of
participant satisfaction with 50% of presenting companies and 53% of
investors either entering into a business deal or potentially
entering into a business deal as a result of the Symposium.
Any entrepreneurs interested in presenting their agri-business
venture to potential investors in Saskatoon must submit a formal
"Request to Present" to AAFC by September 15, 2010.
Further information and instructions for agri-entrepreneurs and
for investors are available at www.agr.gc.ca/agri-symposium.
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