Each year, the Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan Champion Award recognizes an individual who has engaged consumers in agriculture and worked to build public trust in farming and food.
This year’s recipient is Joe Kleinsasser, a member and supporter of Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan (FFC SK) since its inception 10 years ago. He served as the first chair of the organization when it transitioned from the Farm Animal Council in 2014.
In addition to his work with FFC SK, Kleinsasser was involved in the hog industry for nearly 17 years, first in equipment fabrication and later as manager of a 400 sow-farrow-to-finish hog operation.
He served on the Board of Sask Pork from 2002 to 2009 and was director of SPI Marketing Group from 1999 to 2013. Kleinsasser also serves on the Agriculture Development Fund Advisory Committee, providing guidance on long-term agriculture research funding in the province.
He is a member of the Agri-Food Council, an independent board that supervises and monitors agri-food agencies in Saskatchewan.
FFC SK Executive Director Clinton Monchuk said Kleinsasser is deserving of the designation of ‘champion’.
“He has been a constant positive communicator for agriculture since way before it was popular to do so. His thoughtful and strong leadership helped establish Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan more than a decade ago. We’re very proud to recognize his contributions to build consumer confidence in farming and food production in this province,” Monchuk said.
Kleinsasser is from the Rosetown Hutterite Colony where he has been Minister since 1995. Over the years, he has also served as finance manager and president of its corporate unit at the Rosetown Colony. Joe and his wife Kate have four children.
Adele Buettner of AgriBiz Communications was one of the people who nominated Kleinsasser for the award.
“Joe has a deep appreciation and passion for growing food and for sharing his experiences with others,” Buettner said. “He has been a trailblazer: helping to develop progressive policies, demonstrating the importance of working collaboratively across all sectors, and has always been a champion of ‘doing the right thing’.”
The award was presented during the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium in Saskatoon.