Richardson International, a major local employer, has announced it is making a $15 million investment in Saskatchewan agricultural research with a 444-acre demonstration farm just southeast of Regina.
“Bennett Farm will be much more than a research facility,” said Curt Vossen, Richardson president and CEO. “We are committed to making a significant investment in the province of Saskatchewan and creating a prominent education and training centre for students of all ages.”
“Bennett Farm will be unique to Saskatchewan as it will offer our customers, employees, partners and the community the opportunity to see agriculture up close and learn more about the importance of our industry for generations to come.”
The farm, located at Richardson, SK, already has a crop in the ground as the first phase of the operation began in last fall to get ready for the 2016 growing season.
In 2017, the company plans to add a new regional office on the site, followed by a large training and events centre the following year.
This research farm joins the company’s Red River Valley Manitoba operation, Kelburn Farm, near Winnipeg.
“Bennett Farm will be a sister farm to Kelburn and will allow Richardson to gather more accurate information on how crops and products perform in different growing environments,” a press release stated.
“At Richardson, we are committed to furthering Canadian agriculture through research and development and growing our industry for the future,” Vossen said. While Kelburn Farm is a valuable resource for agriculture in Manitoba, we recognize that results might not be the same in other geographies. We are excited to establish Bennett Farm here in Saskatchewan, which is the heart of the growing region and our Richardson Pioneer network.”
