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.聽 Minister MacAulay and Minister Stewart also had the opportunity to discuss this year鈥檚 crop and partake in a harvest demonstration at the Moose Jaw Food Farm.
鈥淲ith only two per cent of the Canadian population now having direct ties to the farm, there鈥檚 a real need to educate people about the importance and value of our agriculture and agri-food industry,鈥� said MacAulay.
鈥淎s everyone focuses on going back-to-school this week, it鈥檚 is an ideal time to show our combined governments鈥� commitment to agricultural education, which is key to unlocking further innovation, research, entrepreneurship and economic growth in the sector.鈥�
鈥淎s a lifelong farmer and rancher I understand the importance of agriculture,鈥� Stewart said.聽 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 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.鈥�
The Agriculture Awareness Initiative Program (AAIP) provides funding to projects that help tell Saskatchewan鈥檚 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.
鈥淔ood farms are just one way we are engaging students in agriculture,鈥� AITC-SK Executive Director Sara Shymko said. 鈥淎AIP funding allows us to be creative and challenge ourselves to find a unique approach to reaching students and teachers. Talking about agriculture isn鈥檛 enough anymore; we need to connect kids through hands-on agriculture experiences.鈥�
鈥淥ctober is Agriculture Month and 鈥極ur Food Has a Story鈥� is the theme this year,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淚t 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.鈥�
For more information on AAIP, visit www.saskatchewan.ca and search Agriculture Awareness Initiative Program.聽 AAIP is funded through Growing Forward 2, a cost-shared partnership between federal, provincial and territorial governments designed to foster an innovative, competitive and profitable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.
