Coming Events

December 4, 2009
Federal/Provincial Agri-Innovations Programs Information Session
Candle Room, The Atrium Building, 111 Research Drive, Saskatoon, SK

The workshop will feature presentations from government funding program managers. In addition there will be networking opportunities to meet and speak with program managers and other participants. Highlights include the Growing Forward Innovation Fund Programs and the Developing Innovative Agri-Products Program and more!

For more information, please click here. Note: the session is now at capacity. If you wish to participate by teleconference, please call Allison Sigstad (306-975-1939) for the dial-in information.

January 11 to 14, 2010
Western Canadian Crop Production Show
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

The Western Canadian Crop Production Show has become Western Canada's premier grain industry showcase by presenting information to producers on the latest technology and services. Please visit the ACS booth (C57).

For more information, please go to the Crop Production Show website.

January 11, 2010
Flax Day 2010
Ballroom C, Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon

Make plans now to attend one of the most important flax meetings all year on Monday, January 11. With the recent events that have led to restricted access to the European market for flax, this year's program focuses on industry sustainability. What is the path ahead for Canadian flax? What can be done to strengthen our industry?

For more information, please go to the SaskFlax website.

January 27, 2010
The Investment & Commercialization Luncheon Series
11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Candle/Span Room
Atrium Building, Innovation Place
111 Research Drive, Saskatoon

Ag-West Bio and the Entrepreneurial Foundation present: The Investment & Commercialization Luncheon Series. The next luncheon is on January 27, 2010 with a seminar titled Disruptive Technology – Maximizing Market Opportunities. To maximize potential value from a new technology or product, the entrepreneur needs to carefully map out and sequence various target markets that will be pursued over time. This seminar will examine popular models and strategies to squeeze every penny out of your technology or product and to extend its lifecycle.

Please go the Entrepreneurial Foundation Website for more information or to register.

CAAP Application Deadline Friday, December 11

The next deadline for applications to the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan (ACS) for funding under the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) is Friday, December 11 for applications over $10,000 and for applications $10,000 or less.

The Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) is a five-year (2009-2014), $163 million Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (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’s objective is to help the agricultural sector adapt and remain competitive. Eligible projects could be in the areas of traceability, environment, climate change, capacity development, pests and diseases, and more.

Project proposals must meet program principles and criteria. Eligible recipients may include industry organizations and associations, cooperatives, marketing boards, aboriginal groups, or for-profit companies.

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 www.agcouncil.ca or call 1-800-641-8256 or (306) 975-6856. For more information on 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.

ACS Announces Foodservice Value Chain Initiative

The Foodservice Value Chain Initiative is being undertaken by the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan Inc. (ACS), and is being funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program. This program will provide knowledge and expertise to Saskatchewan’s producers and processors to allow them to meet the needs of the foodservice industry and allow all within the industry to build on the success of the past decade.

The Foodservice Value Chain Initiative will:

• Enhance the awareness of foodservice operators of the capabilities of the Saskatchewan agri-food industry;
• Educate Saskatchewan growers and processors of the nature and needs of the foodservice industry; and,
• Facilitate collaboration between foodservice operators and the agri-food industry and coordinate available resources to bring innovative and relevant food products to the foodservice industry to meet consumer needs.

For more information, please click here or contact ACS Value Chain Specialist Bryan Kosteroski at 975-6851 or kosteroskib@agcouncil.ca.  

Student Assisted Business and Marketing Plan Program accepting applications

Developing effective and strategic business and marketing plans are among the most challenging tasks facing Saskatchewan agri-food companies. These firms now have the opportunity to have a team of upper-year university students assist them with these daunting tasks through the Student Assisted Business and Marketing Plan Program.

Interested agri-food companies will be matched up with a team of upper-year students enrolled in agribusiness courses in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan. Students will contact the firm and will work closely with an individual from the firm serving as a “client” for the student consulting team. The students will complete a full marketing or business plan for the firm. A marketing plan will include market research, competitor analysis, consumer analysis and the development of marketing strategies.

Participating organizations will pay $250 of the $500 cost of the program, with $250 funded by the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan (ACS) through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) program. The number of organizations selected for a business plan will depend on the number of students enrolled in the course. Students will contact the organization in early January and will work closely with an individual from that organization, who is expected to commit at least 20 hours to working with the students during the four months of the project.

Applications are now being taken for projects starting in January 2010.  The application deadline is Monday, December 14, 2009 for projects starting in January 2010. For an application form, click here (PDF).

For more information, contact Lesley Dirkson at (306) 975-6847 or dirksonl@agcouncil.ca.

Look to CATE for education and training opportunities

The Centre for Agribusiness Training and Education (CATE) website is expanding thanks to funding from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture through the Growing Forward Farm Business Development Initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

CATE is designed to connect learners throughout the entire agriculture and agri-food industry with learning opportunities from universities, technical schools and colleges and other providers.

CATE lists a variety of learning opportunities, from courses on production, manufacturing, food processing, equipment repair to accounting, human resource management, and business plan development. It is the most comprehensive listing of agriculture and agri-food education and training opportunities in Western Canada.

To see what CATE has to offer or for more information on programs such as the Farm Business Development Initiative, please go to www.agtraining.ca. Any questions about CATE can be directed to Lesley Dirkson, CATE Coordinator, at 975-6847 or dirksonl@agcouncil.ca.

If you have any questions, comments, or would like to submit an event, please contact us at info@agcouncil.ca.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this E-mail, please send an E-mail to info@agcouncil.ca with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line. 

Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan Inc.
Box 21038
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan   S7H 5N9
Phone: (306) 975-6847 or toll free at 1-800-641-8256 
Fax: (306) 975-6850
http://www.agcouncil.ca