The province has announced increased support for young Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers. This includes increased funding for farm-related consulting services and training, as well as $50,000 in new funding for the Saskatchewan Young Ag-Entrepreneurs (SYA).
"The future of agriculture belongs to our young farmers and ranchers," says Member of Parliament, Kelly Block (Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar), on behalf of Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud. "The Saskatchewan Young Ag-Entrepreneurs provide an opportunity for our youth to promote a sustainable agriculture industry and our government is proud to support them."
"Young farmers and ranchers in this province are the future of our agriculture industry and it is important we provide programs and services to meet their needs," Bjornerud adds. "This funding will help our producers of tomorrow build the skills necessary to grow their businesses."
Farmers and ranchers under the age of 40 will now be eligible to receive up to 90 per cent (an increase from 75 per cent) of the costs for business consulting services, farm-related education and training programs through the Farm Business Development Initiative (FBDI). The purpose of the FBDI is to help producers acquire information and skills to enhance their profitability and achieve business goals. The maximum FBDI benefit for young farmers and ranchers is also increasing from $4,000 to $10,000 per applicant.
The $50,000 in new funding for the SYA will be used to develop, host and maintain a website that provides new and existing resources for young farmers and ranchers. The website will be an online community for young producers to find information and services to help improve their businesses.
"Networking and training opportunities, promoting agriculture and providing relevant and useful information to young producers are priorities for our organization," SYA Chair Rodney Voldeng comments.
"This funding to develop a website will help us accomplish these goals and will result in a valuable online tool for young farmers."
These new initiatives are initial responses to recommendations in the Saskatchewan Agriculture Youth Advisory Committee's report. The report, which was also released today, contains 12 recommendations on how to attract and retain youth in agriculture. The provincial government will continue working with the Youth Advisory Committee to address these recommendations. Bjornerud also announced an extension of the Committee's term for up to five additional years.
"We are pleased governments are providing this funding to assist young producers, which directly addresses recommendations in our report," Youth Advisory Committee Chair April Nichol says. "We look forward to continuing working with the Ministry of Agriculture to attract and retain young people in our industry."
Funding for the FBDI and the SYA is being provided under the federal-provincial Growing Forward framework.
