Opportunities: ACS Newsletter

CAAP Application Deadlines:

Projects where the requested amount is over $20,000:
March 26, 2012

Projects where the requested amount is $20,000 or less:
February 8, 2012

For more information on or to apply to the CAAP program, please go to the ACS CAAP page.

Natural food packaging being developed Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan Inc.

Mustard and canola growers may soon have another market for their crops.

Saskatchewan's Biofume Technologies Inc. is working on biodegradable antimicrobial food packaging that includes canola and mustard compounds. As Jay Robinson, President and CEO of Biofume, explains, "Our technology uses natural antimicrobial compounds extracted from a variety of plants including but not limited to mustard and canola, to increase food safety and improve product shelf life."

Mustard has always been known for its flavour. The same elements that give it its properties of smell and taste can, in specific doses, be used as antimicrobial and antibacterial agents. "Biofume utilizes unique properties from mustard and other plants to produce a packaging that controls the bacteria of concern to human health and extends the shelf life of perishable food products," said Robinson.

Many agri-businesses have long known that crops grown on the prairies have potential uses beyond food. Developing new products or finding solutions to new and ongoing issues in order to help the agricultural sector adapt and remain competitive is the objective of the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP), an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada funded program delivered in Saskatchewan by the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan. ACS, as well as industry councils from Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia, provided funding for Biofume's project through the CAAP program.

To read the rest of this article, please click here.

Food Centre to deliver new workshops

The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre has ramped up its industry training for 2012, setting up to deliver a series of workshops, seminars and information sessions.

The Food Centre's objective is to deliver skills development programs that are specific, convenient, affordable and immediately relevant to the agri-food sector. As a result, industries will be better equipped to explore new market opportunities. Programs will be delivered in modular formats, in classroom settings, production area settings and one-on-one.

Two workshops are scheduled to start in the New Year, including Cheese Making 101 on January 30 and 31 and Fluid Bed Drying, Granulation and Agglomeration in March. For more information on these workshops and seminars, please click here or contact the Food Centre at (306) 933-7555 or info@foodcentre.sk.ca.

ACS holds industry roundtable discussions

In an effort to better understand the needs of our members, clients and the greater agriculture and agri-food industry, ACS conducted an online survey and two facilitated roundtable discussions. The first roundtable discussion targeted non-profit organizations, while the second roundtable targeted for-profit organizations.

"ACS hired consultants Brooke Dobni and Mark Klassen to conduct a survey and facilitate smaller roundtable sessions to identify programming gaps and challenges facing our non-profit and for-profit agricultural organizations," explains ACS Executive Director Laurie Dmytryshyn. "Following the survey and roundtable, a final report will be completed by the consultants and used by ACS to better understand our client's needs and the challenges and barriers they face."

After the roundtable sessions, ACS held a reception to provide our non-profit and for-profit clients with an informal opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals in the agricultural sector. "As a program delivery agency that represents provincial agriculture organizations from primary processing through to the value-added sector, we rarely get this kind of opportunity to sit down with our clients and discuss their challenges," said Dmytryshyn. "Better understanding our clients' needs and the environment in which they operate will assist ACS in designing and delivering programs that more effectively assist our clients in achieving their business goals."

For more information on the industry consultations, please contact Laurie Dmytryshyn at (306) 975-6849 or dmytryshynl@agcouncil.ca.

CAAP funding update Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan Inc.

Since April 1, 2009, the ACS Board of Directors has approved Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) funding for 82 projects for a total commitment of $7,689,696 for Saskatchewan projects. ACS delivers CAAP in Saskatchewan on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

For a complete listing of approved projects, please

click here.

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 for contact information for regional industry councils, please visit the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada CAAP page or call toll-free at 1-877-290-2188.

January 2012

Coming Events

January 30 - 31, 2012

Cheese Making 101

Food Centre (Peterson Building) - 105 North Road, U of S Campus

Saskatoon, SK

This two-day workshop will consist of information session and hands on demonstrations. Key points of sanitation and applicable regulations will also be discussed. Smaller group size will allow for plenty of questions specific to your operation or business objective.

For more information, please click here

or contact the Food Centre at (306) 933-7555 or

info@foodcentre.sk.ca.

February 4, 2012

Saskatchewan Vegetable Growers Value Chain Roundtable Meeting

9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Producer Group: Outlook Producer Pick/Distribution Group

Location: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Building

420 Saskatchewan Ave. Outlook, Saskatchewan

(West Front Door)
Board Room

For more information, contact ACS Value Chain Specialist, Bryan Kosteroski, at (306) 975-6851 or kosteroskib@agcouncil.ca.

March 9, 2012

Saskatchewan Vegetable Growers Value Chain Roundtable Meeting

9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Producer Group: Lumsden Producer Pick/Distribution Group

Location: TBD

For more information, contact ACS Value Chain Specialist, Bryan Kosteroski, at (306) 975-6851 or kosteroskib@agcouncil.ca.