Agriculture education organizations in Saskatchewan will be receiving more than $4.1 million from the federal and provincial governments over the next five years as part of the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The two levels of government announced the funding for Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan, 4-H Saskatchewan, and Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan on Thursday.
“These groups are vital advocates of the agriculture industry. By supporting their work, these groups provide farmers, ranchers and agri-businesses with a stronger collective voice so their stories can reach consumers, classrooms and communities across the province,” says Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit, in a joint news release.
On an annual basis, the SCAP funding includes $175,000 to Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan, $325,000 to 4-H Saskatchewan and $325,000 to Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan over the next five years.
“By helping consumers understand how farmers produce food, organizations like the 4-H, Farm and Food Care and Agriculture in the Classroom strengthen the public’s trust in our food system. They also connect future leaders to the agriculture and agri-food sector, which sparks young people’s interest in this essential area,” notes federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau.
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is the new five-year federal-provincial-territorial agreement that encompasses a large portion of agriculture-related government funding from 2023 to 2028.
The organizations receiving funding:
Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan aims to connect consumers to food and farming through events, training and educational resources.
“With less than three per cent of the Canadian population having a direct tie to the farm or ranch, the need to engage with consumers is stronger than ever,” says Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan Executive Director Clinton Monchuk. “Partnerships like these ensure that more Canadians understand how farmers and ranchers are growing the food we all eat.”
Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan, meanwhile, promotes agricultural education through hands-on activities, engaging programs for teachers, and inquiry-based educational resources.
“The future workforce is in classrooms,” notes Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan executive director Sara Shymko. “We need the brightest minds to help find solutions for agriculture’s most complex issues. AITC experiences ignite curiosity about food systems and inspire students to become involved in building a stronger agriculture future.”
4-H Saskatchewan is of course well known as a youth development organization that aims to provide young people with opportunities to develop leadership, citizenship and life skills through agricultural and related projects.
“4-H Saskatchewan is very grateful for the continued support we receive from the provincial and federal governments,” 4-H Saskatchewan Executive Director Aubrey Eaton says. “Our organization is proud of our agricultural roots and we will continue to take an active role in building public trust by developing leaders that will help grow the agriculture sector.”
