Regina, Saskatchewan, October 22, 2013 - Today, Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced more than $45,000 in funding under the Agriculture Awareness Initiative to enhance the public’s perception of agriculture and its role in the economy.
“Agriculture plays an important role in driving our economy and feeding Canadians,” said Ritz. “These types of projects give everyone a chance to see firsthand the social and economic benefits of our vibrant and innovative agriculture industry.”
The Agriculture Awareness Initiative was developed to help producer groups promote the benefits of agriculture and help improve the public perception of the industry. A better understanding is critical to promote careers in agriculture and foster public support for the industry.
“It is important that we share accurate information about agriculture with the public, especially with youth, so they have an understanding and appreciation of where their food comes from and how it is being responsibly produced,” Stewart said. “These projects will help highlight Saskatchewan’s role as a supplier of safe and reliable food to help feed a growing world.”
Under this program, the Saskatchewan Science Centre will receive $25,000 to enhance the experience and increase engagement with the Ag-Grow-Land exhibit. The exhibit presents themes such as Saskatchewan’s role in meeting the global demand for food; innovations in agriculture relating to topics such as animal care, crop production and soils research; the business of agriculture; and food production safety.
“We would like to thank both levels of government for their support in this project,” Saskatchewan Science Centre Executive Director Sandy Baumgartner said. “The Richardson Ag-Grow-Land exhibit is popular, and with the planned enhancement will make it even more of a draw for children, their parents and teachers and help them to better understand an industry that is a large contributor to our province.”
Three other organizations have also received funding under the Agriculture Awareness Initiative: the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan has received $7,770 for their Adopt a Rancher Educational Program; Genome Prairie has received $6,000 for a workshop to promote an understanding of the importance of effective communication among Saskatchewan’s agriculture-biotech research community; and, the Canadian Western Agribition has received $7,900 for agriculture awareness initiatives at the show.
“Canadian Western Agribition is honoured to play an important role in ag awareness.,” Canadian Western Agribition CEO Marty Seymour said. “Spreading the agriculture message and the attraction of youth into this vibrant industry are important to all our shareholders. This funding will help support the expansion of the agriculture story at Canadian Western Agribition.”
The Agriculture Awareness Initiative was announced on April 13, 2013, as a part of Growing Forward 2, with $350,000 available to fund eligible activities annually.
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada
Jeff English
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
Angela Hall
Agriculture (Saskatchewan)
Regina
306-787-2359
306-527-0521 (Cell)
angela.hall@gov.sk.ca
