Coming Events

November 6 to 8, 2009
Saskatchewan In Demand
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon

Saskatoon is hosting the 2nd annual “Saskatchewan in Demand” trade show November 6-8th, 2009 at Prairieland Exhibition.  The trade show is specifically hosted to target consumers toward buying local and demonstrate the diversity of Saskatchewan Made Products.  Last year’s trade show had excellent attendance and was a good indication of our desire to buy products “Made in Saskatchewan”.  

For more information, please go to the Saskatchewan In Demand website.

November 21 to 28
Canadian Western Agribition
Evraz Place, Regina Saskatchewan

Canadian Western Agribition is Canada's Premier International Agricultural Show and Marketplace featuring over 4,000 head of livestock, over 450 commercial trade show exhibits, the CCA Finals Rodeo, western entertainment, and much more!

For more information, please go to the Agribition website.

November 25, 2009
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 November 25, 2009 with a seminar titled Raising Private Equity. This seminar will help you to determine if you and your business are ready to approach a private equity investor, and help you understand what process you will have to go through to successfully raise outside investment. Private equity investors are not only difficult to find, they are also very thorough in their due diligence and are always looking for ways to reduce the risk profile of an investment opportunity. You are not taking on a lender when raising private equity; you are taking on a business partner.

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

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.

Value chain workshops set for November 5 and 6

The Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan will be holding two informative value chains workshops this fall. These workshops are numbers three and four in the series developed by the Saskatchewan Agri-Food Value Chain Initiative, designed for those who have started their value chains and are looking for information on entering the marketplace. The Value Chain Initiatve is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) program.

MODULE 3 – November 5, 2009
Hall E, Prairieland Park
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (registration at 8:30 a.m.)

Market Intelligence: Gathering & Planning For New Product Introductions

Module 3 will teach participants how to identify market opportunities and create successful product positioning.

MODULE 4 – November 6, 2009
Hall E, Prairieland Park
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (registration at 8:30 a.m.)

Partnering & Collaboration: How to Approach Retailers

Understanding the strategic challenges facing food retailers will help participants understand how to establish partnerships with the retail and food service market.

For more information or to register, please visit the ACS website or contact Lesley Dirkson, Value Chain Assistant, at (306) 975-6847 or 1-800-641-8256, or by E-mail.

Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) Deadline 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, 2009 for applications over $10,000. The deadline for applications $10,000 and under is Friday, November 13, 2009.

CAAP is a five-year (2009-2014), $163 million program with the objective of facilitating the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector's ability to seize opportunities, to respond to new and emerging issues, and to pathfind and pilot solutions to new and ongoing issues in order to help it adapt and remain competitive. CAAP is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

Launched as a successor to the Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program, the CAAP will continue to support industry-led initiatives at the national, regional and multi-regional levels. Please note that funding under CAAP is conditional on a contribution agreement being signed by ACS and AAFC.

CAAP intends on funding projects identified by the sector that focus on:

• Seizing opportunities
• Responding to new and emerging issues
• Pathfinding and piloting solutions to new and ongoing issues

For more information or to apply, please go to the ACS website at www.agcouncil.ca. If you have any questions, please contact the ACS office at 975-6847 or info@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 Farm Business Development Initiative.

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.agcouncil.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.

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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