RM OF CONNAUGHT — Ian Boxall, a grain farmer in the RM of Connaught north of Tisdale, has been elected as the president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan.
APAS is Saskatchewan's democratically elected, non-partisan farm policy and advocacy organization since 2000, and represents ratepayers in 140 rural municipalities.
“Good policy is important to ensure a strong ag sector and I’m honoured that they’ve given me the role to be the president and kind of the spokesperson for the group,” Boxall said.
“I think producers in Saskatchewan need to have our voice heard on changes we want to see on the next set of programming, that is important. Whether that’s business risk management (BMR) programming or whether that’s not non-BRM programming funded through the federal and provincial governments, it’s important that they understand what’s important to the producers of Saskatchewan.”
One issue impacting producers Boxall said is rural connectivity.
In 2020 APAS designed a Rural Connectivity Task Force, which released a series of recommendations in 2021 following six months of research into the causes of poor rural internet and cellular service.
In these recommendations, APAS advocated that all levels of government use a “dig once” policy to co-ordinate their utility and infrastructure upgrades to put more fibre optic cable into the ground when other services are being upgraded; as well as creating and enforce policies that ensure a timely response when third parties request access to data transport facilities amongst other suggestions.
“Until every rural resident in Saskatchewan has proper cellphone and internet service we will be continuing to fight on that behalf,” Boxall said. “Ensuring that they have what they need to run their businesses and run their lives in rural Saskatchewan. Internet has become now where it is a necessity, the same as power and energy is.”
Another issue is ensuring access to feed and water for the livestock sector as well as advocacy on behalf of farmers dealing with grain contracts from last year’s drought. If the drought continues, Boxall said conversations need to begin on how producers can be assisted.
The election was held at the APAS general meeting in Regina on Jan. 18. Bill Prybylski and Scott Owens will serve as vice-presidents.
The board of directors elects the president annually with a maximum term of six years. Boxall said if the board allows it, his goal would be to serve for a long-term.
“I wish Ian the best of luck with his new role as president,” said Todd Lewis, former APAS president. “I’ve worked with him over the last several years, and I know APAS will be in good hands with the new executive.”
