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$1.5 M announced for agricultural education in Saskatchewan

The federal and Saskatchewan governments this month announced $1.5 million over two years in renewed funding for Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan, Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan (AITC-SK) and 4-H Saskatchewan.

“The projects we are funding with Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan, Ag in the Classroom Saskatchewan and  4-H Saskatchewan will help bridge the gap between consumers and food processors, to help grow these relationships and provide trustworthy sources of information,” says Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan connects consumers to food and farming through events, training and educational resources that build trust in Saskatchewan food production.

“With less than three per cent of the population having a direct tie to a farm or ranch, this funding is essential to our work to help build trust in food and farming in our province,” Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan Chair Shawn Colborn said.

Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan plays a pivotal role in educating youth about agriculture through hands-on activities, engaging programs and inquiry-based educational resources.

“The next generation of consumers is sitting in classrooms across the province, with their hands enthusiastically raised,” AITC-SK Executive Director Sara Shymko said.  “This funding is crucial to help keep up with the demand for agricultural learning experiences in our province and ensuring we are providing opportunities to answer student’s questions about where food comes from.”

4-H Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s largest youth organizations and provides members and leaders with learning experiences tailored to individual needs and interests through the motto “Learn To Do By Doing.”

“This funding is an investment in the future of Saskatchewan agriculture,” 4-H Saskatchewan’s Council President Cameron Choquette said.  “4-H is proud to deliver leadership programming that develops young people in our communities.”

The two-year agreements will provide Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan with a total of $300,000, 4-H Saskatchewan with $600,000 and Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan with $610,000.

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen and grow Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. This commitment includes $2 billion for programs cost-shared by the federal and provincial/territorial governments that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories. More than $155 million of this funding comes from the province.