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CAAP
Application Deadlines:
Projects where the requested amount is over $10,000:
September 12, 2011
Projects where the requested amount is $10,000 or less:
September 15, 2011
For more information on or to apply to the CAAP program, please go to
the ACS CAAP page.
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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 66 projects
for a total commitment of $6,315,171 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;
- Pathfinding and piloting solutions to new
and ongoing issues.
To learn more
about CAAP or ACS or to download an application form, please visit
the ACS CAAP
application page 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 Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada CAAP page or call toll-free at 1-877-290-2188.
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Application deadline
for the Concept Evaluation business and marketing plan program August
25
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 The Agriculture
Council of Saskatchewan Inc. (ACS) and the University of Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture and
Bioresources, Department of Bioresource Policy, Business and Economics, are partnering to deliver
the Saskatchewan Agri-Food Concept Evaluation Program.
The
Concept Evaluation Program is part of ACS' Saskatchewan Grocery
Retail and Foodservice Value Chain project. Funding for this project
was provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian
Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP). In Saskatchewan, CAAP is
delivered by ACS.
This
program will provide opportunities for Saskatchewan agriculture and
agri-food companies to request a preliminary business plan and/or
conceptual marketing plan. The plans will be developed with the
assistance of a team of agribusiness students, evaluating possible
concepts or marketing initiatives.
The
Concept Evaluation Marketing Plan Program will provide marketing
plans for applicants completed by Agricultural Economics students
from the University of Saskatchewan. This program brings together
agriculture representatives and students with agri-food businesses
and organizations that are looking for a marketing plan. The process
includes a full overview of the requirements within the application
and project startup meetings with the applicant and the assigned
group of students, initiating the process with market research
activities, competitor analysis and the development of
the marketing strategies.
The
Concept Evaluation Business Plan Program will provide preliminary
business plans for applicants completed by Agricultural Economics
students from the University of Saskatchewan. This program brings
together agriculture representatives and students with agri-food
businesses and organizations that are looking for a business plan.
The process will include a full overview of the requirements within
the application and project startup meetings with the applicant and
the assigned group of students, initiating the process of developing
a business plan. All aspects of a business plan are provided,
including operations, human resources, marketing and finance. The
students are assisted by professionals as they develop the business
plan.
Participating
applicants will pay $300 of the $600 cost of the project application,
with $300 provided by the ACS.
The
deadline for applications is Thursday,
August 25, 2011 for projects starting the first week
of September. For more information, please go to the Saskatchewan
Grocery Retail and Foodservice Value Chain Initiative website or
contact Bryan Kosteroski at 975-6851 or kosteroskib@agcaouncil.ca.
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Making plastic
products from flax fibre has enormous potential
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 Many have seen its blue or violet flowers shimmering
in the July prairie sun, and many have seen the fires in those same
fields in late fall or early spring as the straw of flax is burned
after harvest.
Jeremy Lang of Open Mind Developments Corporation thought the waste
of a renewable resource like flax straw was a shame, and with funding
from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada he is developing a new industry
for Saskatchewan and the Prairies.
Lang was approved for funding under the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation
Program (CAAP), which in Saskatchewan is delivered by the Agriculture
Council of Saskatchewan, for a technical and economic feasibility
study, market study and business plan on producing an eco-friendly
plastic product.
"Flax fibre straw has such great characteristics," he says.
"It's strong, lightweight, and has shock absorbing properties.
The properties that make it difficult to handle and manage in the
field also make it good to add to plastic products to add
strength."
Lang's research was successful, finding that plastic products can be
produced in Saskatchewan. "With the CAAP funding," he says,
"we have developed a proprietary formula for eco-friendly
bioplastic comprised of flax fibre and 100% biodegradable and
petroleum free biopolymers."
To read the rest of this article, please click here.
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Ag in the City set
for September 11 and 12
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 Ag in the City -
Saskatoon is a two-day event located at the Saskatoon Farmers'
Market. Held on Sept 11 and 12 this year, the goal is to show
urbanites the role agriculture plays in all our lives - from food to
non-food uses.
Sunday, September 11 is a day dedicated to learning
more about various farm groups and products. The day is kicked off
with a pancake breakfast and will include activities that test one's knowledge
of agriculture and let those in attendance bid on locally-made pies.
Monday, September 12 is dedicated to kids, with
exhibitors offering hands-on displays and a kids cooking
demonstration.
Regular Farmers' Market vendors will be open on Sunday
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and food services will be available all day.
Agriculture in the City is your chance to explore the
exciting world of agriculture! More information and links to the Ag
in the City Twitter feed and Facebook page are available at the Ag in the City
website.
For more information on the Ag in the City, please contact Dallas
Carpenter, ACS Communications Manager, at (306) 975-6856 or carpenterd@agcouncil.ca.
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ACS welcomes two new
directors at AGM
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Two new Directors,
Heather Ryan of POS Bio-Sciences an d Nial Kuyek of the
Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, were named to the
Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan (ACS) Board of Directors at the
Annual General Meeting, which was held on June 16 in Regina at the
Western Canada Farm Progress Show.
The ACS Board also elected a new Executive Committee,
which includes Chair Allen Kuhlmann of the Saskatchewan Flax
Development Commission, Vice-Chair Dan Prefontaine of the
Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre and Secretary/Treasurer
Jason Dean of the Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association. Kirk
Flaman of the Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers Association, Joy
Smith, of the Saskatchewan Egg Producers and Tim Wiens of the
Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission remain on the ACS Board of
Directors.
The AGM included a tribute to two retiring board
members: Neil Ketilson of the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board,
who was first elected to the Board in 2006 and served as Chair of the
Board of Directors over the past year; and Darrell Schneider of the
Saskatchewan Food Processors Association, who served as the
Secretary/Treasurer of the Board while sitting on numerous advisory
groups and committees since being elected to the Board in 2006.
"The contributions of Neil and Darrell at the
Board table and in committees were invaluable," said ACS Chair
Allen Kuhlmann. "They provided guidance as ACS transitioned from
ACAAFS to CAAP, brought in programs like Levy Central and created
valuable programs like the Value Chain Initiative and the Agriculture
Mentorship Initiative. Their leadership allowed ACS to grow and
become the industry-led organization that we are today."
Following
the AGM, the Industry Forum featured four speakers, including three successful
Saskatchewan-based entrepreneurs who have received adaptation funding
from ACS. They were followed by featured speaker Dr. David Sparling
of the University of Western Ontario, who presented Canada's
Agri-Food Future. The video of Dr. Sparling's presentation is
available on the ACS website.
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Funded by:
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Calendar
of Events
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October 5, 2011
Saskatchewan Foodservice Conference Call
2:00 p.m.
Canadian foodservice semi-annual conference
calls will be hosted with Canadian foodservice consultants. The calls
will provide an overview and update of activities within the Canadian
foodservice industry.
For further information please
contact: Bryan Kosteroski Value Chain Specialist Office: (306)
975-6851 Email: kosteroskib@agcouncil.ca or go to the Saskatchewan Grocery Retail and Foodservice
Value Chain Website.
October 13,
2011
Saskatchewan Grocery Retail
Conference Call
2:00 p.m.
Canadian grocery
retail semi-annual conference calls will be hosted by Canadian
grocery retail consultants. The calls will provide an overview and
update of activities within the Canadian Grocery Retail Industry.
For further
information please contact: Bryan Kosteroski Value Chain Specialist
Office: (306) 975-6851 Email: kosteroskib@agcouncil.ca
or go to the Saskatchewan Grocery Retail and Foodservice
Value Chain Website.
October 27 & November 3, 2011
Saskatchewan Grocery
Retail and Foodservice Value Chain Roundtables
Saskatchewan's
Grocery Retail Value Chain Roundtable is a new concept focused on
providing opportunities for discussion and collaboration within the
Saskatchewan agri-food industry. The roundtable discussions will be
accessible to any Saskatchewan agriculture and agri-food industry participant.
For further
information please contact: Bryan Kosteroski Value Chain Specialist
Office: (306) 975-6851 Email: kosteroskib@agcouncil.ca
or go to the Saskatchewan Grocery Retail and Foodservice
Value Chain Website.
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