Coming Events

October 5 to 7, 2009
2009 National Agriculture Awareness Conference
Delta Bessborough Hotel
Saskatoon

Kicks off Monday evening with appetizers and an entertaining play “The Pull of the Land.” Keynote speaker Stephen Lewis will deliver the address: “Agriculture – the Sudden Centrepiece of International Development”

Check out www.naac-cnsa.ca for more program and registration information.

October 14, 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 October 14, 2009 with a seminar titled What Investors are Looking For - Understanding Risk. The seminar will be delivered by David Gauthier, CEO ofEntrepreneurial Foundation of Saskatchewan. Future topics will include: commercialization & IP protection basics, private equity, strategic alliances and disruptive technology. The topics are designed for early stage life sciences/technology development companies. However companies at any stage of the commercialization pathway will benefit from the ideas discussed. All of the seminars are free to attend and lunch will be provided.

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

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.

ACS Board of Directors elects new executive

The Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan Inc. (ACS) Board of Directors has elected a new executive, including a new Chair and Vice-Chair.

Valerie Pearson is the new Chair of ACS, taking over from past-Chair Murray Purcell, who served as Chair for two years. Valerie has been a member of the ACS Board of Directors since 2004, and has been Vice-Chair of the organization since 2005, as well as serving as Chair of the ACAAFS Advisory Group. She represents the Saskatchewan 4-H Council, where she is the Executive Director.

“I’m pleased to take on this responsibility and continue to contribute to this organization,” said Pearson. “ACS has come a long way in the years I have been on the Board and we look forward to continuing our role as a leader within the province’s agriculture and agri-food industry by identifying issues and providing programming that delivers real benefits.”

Bob Morgan joins the Executive as Vice-Chair. Bob was first elected to the ACS Board of Directors in 2008. He is the President and CEO of POS Pilot Plant Corp.

For the entire news release, please click here for a PDF www.agcouncil.ca.

Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) Deadline October 21

The next deadline for applications to the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan (ACS) for funding under the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) is Wednesday, October 21, 2009 for applications over $10,000. The deadline for applications $10,000 and under is Friday, October 16, 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.  

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.

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.

National Agriculture Awareness Conference coming to Saskatoon

The 2009 National Agriculture Awareness Conference is being held in Saskatoon from October 5 to 7 at the beautiful Delta Bessborough Hotel on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to meet with agriculture leaders from across the country! The conference kicks off Monday evening with appetizers and an entertaining play, “The Pull of the Land.” Keynote speaker Stephen Lewis will address the topic: “Agriculture – the Sudden Centrepiece of International Development.”

What to people really think of Agriculture? Saskatchewan business commentator Paul Martin will facilitate panel discussions with individuals from across the country working both within and outside the agriculture industry.

Break-out sessions include:
Show Me the Money! – Bruce Acton
Tongue Fu Communication Skills – Joan Craven
Branding – not the cattle! – Ayten Archer
A Shining Example of US Co-operation – Julie Tesche
Creating the Team – Dr. Ruth Kinzel

Check out www.naac-cnsa.ca for more program and registration information.

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