Today, Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart highlighted the importance of agriculture education and working together to engage consumers and build public trust. Minister MacAulay and Minister Stewart also had the opportunity to discuss this year’s crop and partake in a harvest demonstration at the Moose Jaw Food Farm.
“With only two per cent of the Canadian population now having direct ties to the farm, there’s a real need to educate people about the importance and value of our agriculture and agri-food industry,” said MacAulay. “As everyone focuses on going back-to-school this week, it’s is an ideal time to show our combined governments’ commitment to agricultural education, which is key to unlocking further innovation, research, entrepreneurship and economic growth in the sector.”
“As a lifelong farmer and rancher I understand the importance of agriculture,” Stewart said. “This isn’t the reality for a number of people in Saskatchewan anymore, with many generations now removed from the farm. This disconnect is why we remain focused on building the connection between people, their food and modern agriculture.”
The Agriculture Awareness Initiative Program (AAIP) provides funding to projects that help tell Saskatchewan’s agriculture story. AAIP is a Growing Forward 2 (GF2) initiative designed to enhance the public understanding of agriculture, create awareness of its role in the economy and promote the diversity of agricultural careers. Since the program launched in 2013, more than $600,000 has been committed to 47 projects.
Education partners and a number of agriculture industry associations have used AAIP funding to help advance their awareness initiatives including Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan (AITC-SK), Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission and Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association.
“Food farms are just one way we are engaging students in agriculture,” AITC-SK Executive Director Sara Shymko said. “AAIP funding allows us to be creative and challenge ourselves to find a unique approach to reaching students and teachers. Talking about agriculture isn’t enough anymore; we need to connect kids through hands-on agriculture experiences.”
“October is Agriculture Month and ‘Our Food Has a Story’ is the theme this year,” Stewart said. “It is an excellent opportunity to expand on the work industry and government is doing to share our values and talk about how the food we produce winds up on the plates of people here in Saskatchewan and around the world. I encourage everyone to share their food story next month.”
Source : Government of Saskatchewan