A group of eight young leaders will be mentees for the Saskatchewan Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship Program. The 18-month experience creates leadership development opportunities and allows them to increase their involvement in decisions affecting the agriculture industry. Mentees are paired with suitable mentors to gain skills and knowledge in the areas of governance, agriculture advocacy, policy development, public speaking, strategic planning, consensus building, media management, verbal and written communications and financial management. Mentees are selected by the Canadian Western Agribition Advisory Committee. The applicant’s submission, reference letters and interviews are considered, according to Agribition CEO Shaun Kindopp. “As we welcome Cohort Six into the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship Program, CWA continues its commitment to nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders,” he said. “This program plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation, leadership, and col
Jodi Souter’s company J4 Agri-Science is showing that private plant breeding startups have a crucial role to play in the agricultural landscape of the future. When most people think of plant breeding in Canada they think of an academic institution or government, says Dr. Jodi Souter, a Nuffield Scholar and plant breeder based in Saskatoon, Sask. “If we don’t change that perception, we’re going to hold back innovation, and that innovation will go elsewhere.” The beginning of her mission to change the way people think of plant breeding began with the creation of her own startup, J4 Agri-Science, specializing in flax and pulse breeding. Through it she intends to support activities for crop development, scientific research and industry expansion. “I consider myself an independent breeder,” she says. “I’m targeting crops and breeding them through my company and not through a public institution. It’s a different mindset. Other countries already do it this way and it’s time we did more of
Following Alberta Grains’ Annual General Meeting, held last week during the Prairie Cereals Summit in Banff, Alberta, the commission has confirmed its board of directors, with Tara Sawyer continuing as chair, Scott Jespersen as first vice-chair, and Devin Hartzler as second vice-chair. Sawyer, a farmer from Acme, resumes her role as chair, a position she has held since the commission’s inception in January 2024. Jespersen, from Spruce Grove, and Hartzler, from Carstairs, also retain their respective roles as first and second vice-chair. “I’m incredibly grateful to continue serving as the chair for Alberta Grains,” Sawyer shared. “Our board is united by a shared passion for advancing grain production and raising awareness in Alberta and across Canada. Each member brings diverse skills and perspectives to the table, and I’m honored to lead this dedicated team.” The announcement follows a series of regional meetings held in October and November 2024, during which elections for new dire
Changes to the Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit program allow registered partnerships to apply with a single application and investment. Alberta’s government has updated the Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit program to cut red tape and simplify how registered partnerships apply. Starting Dec. 10, a registered partnership can apply using a single application when investing at least $10 million to build or expand a value-added agricultural manufacturing facility in Alberta. Before this change, corporations within partnerships could apply individually to the program and each needed to meet the minimum investment amount. “Alberta’s government is signalling to investors that our province is a competitive place to do business and create new jobs in our food manufacturing and bioprocessing industries. We’ve updated the Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit program to make it easier for registered partnerships to apply. We’re encouraging all food manufacturers and bioprocessors to c
Unifor members still need to ratify the deal
