New Agriculture Mentorship Program Launched In Saskatchewan

Released on November 15, 2018

Today the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan announced $100,000 in funding for Next Gen Agriculture, a Saskatchewan agricultural mentorship program to be delivered by Canadian Western Agribition.

“Our government supports the growth of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture sector,” said Ralph Goodale, Federal Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Regina-Wascana, on behalf of Lawrence MacAulay, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.  “Mentorship programs like this give young Canadians the opportunity to become future leaders of a world-class Canadian agricultural economy through a bedrock of knowledge and experiences they can use to grow the agricultural sector of tomorrow.”

The objective of the program is to develop the leadership capacity of young people in agriculture to prepare them to take active roles in industry leadership, governance and efforts to build public trust.

“We have many skilled, confident young leaders ready to take on leadership roles and get involved in decisions affecting our industry,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said.  “This program will support, engage and train these young people as they prepare to fill vacancies on industry organizations, boards and commissions.”

Next Gen Agriculture is funded through the Public Trust Pillar of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $388 million investment in strategic initiatives for Saskatchewan agriculture by the federal and provincial governments.

“Canadian Western Agribition has a long and proud tradition of supporting education and youth in agriculture,” Canadian Western Agribition President Bruce Holmquist said.  “Partnering on this new mentorship program is an exciting opportunity for Canadian Western Agribition to take an active role in building the next generation of leaders in the sector.”

The program aims to accept eight applicants for an 18-month mentorship beginning in February 2019.  Applicants should have clear leadership goals and objectives and exhibit strong leadership potential.

More information about the program is available online at www.saskatchewan.ca/CAP.

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For more information, contact:

Jamie Fischer
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5174
Email: Jamie.Fischer@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-519-8730

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
Phone: 1-866-345-7972

Sarah Laxdal
Canadian Western Agribition
Regina
Phone: 306-924-9781
Email: slaxdal@agribition.com