Saskatchewan's Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart welcomed leaders and communicators from across Saskatchewan and Canada to the Agriculture Awareness Summit held in Regina earlier this week. The Summit, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, is intended to generate ideas on how to improve public perception of the agriculture industry and promote its benefits.
"Agriculture is a modern, technologically advanced industry that is essential to the future growth of our province. However, as people become further removed from farming and ranching, there are greater misunderstandings of where food comes from and how it is produced," Stewart says. "A positive public perception of agriculture is necessary to grow the industry, which contributes to a strong economy and a better quality of life, now and in the future."
Participants in the summit include industry leaders, producers, communicators, government representatives and other partners involved in agriculture. Discussions will include a scan of current agriculture awareness efforts, ways to better educate the public about agriculture and how to encourage people in the industry to tell their positive stories. The summit will result in a more coordinated, collaborative strategic plan going forward.
"As producers, our crops and livestock are key to our businesses and are treated with the utmost respect," Ministry of Agriculture Youth Advisory committee chair and producer from Lafleche, Derek Tallon adds. "It is vital that the public understands agriculture so we are able to continue to provide safe and healthy food, as well as contribute to a growing province and economy."
The Summit included speakers from some of the most well-respected businesses in agriculture and food, including Farm Credit Canada, the Centre for Food Integrity, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Inc. and Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
In 2011, Saskatchewan exported more than $10 billion in agri-food exports, surpassing oil and potash. The Saskatchewan Plan for Growth outlines four agriculture-related objectives, including increasing agri-food exports by 50 per cent and increasing crop production by 10 million tonnes.
Visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Ag-Awareness-Summit for an agenda and more information. Follow the Ministry of Agriculture on Twitter @SKGovAG or #AgSummit2013 for the latest news from the Summit and other Ag Awareness activities.
