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By Alice McFarlane

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan

New executive director for Saskatchewan farm group

Sep 16, 2022 | 11:54 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) has hired Dion McGrath as its new executive director.

McGrath brings extensive experience to the role from his stints in the public sector which included serving as the CEO of Southeast College in Weyburn, Sask.

He also is also working with his partner to create a digital marketing company called Above the Fold.

McGrath said one of the reasons he was attracted to APAS was how the organization evolved to become a leader in identifying policy solutions for the success of the ag community.

“Looking at the variety of issues that APAS has advocated on behalf of producers they have shown time and again to be an effective voice for ag producers and that is a great environment to be part of,” he said.

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McGrath said there are several concerns in the agriculture community that need attention.

“Some of the current issues today, from carbon pricing and fertilizer targets, are all very interesting issues,” he said. “Saskatchewan, as a community, needs to make sure that we’re doing the legwork to really define the problems to support our community, but also ensure long-term success. That’s what we’re all after because Saskatchewan runs on agriculture.”

McGrath said becoming the executive director of APAS brings him full circle. He grew up on a mixed grain and hog farm near LeRoy.

“Agricultural policy is never boring. It is so dynamic and foundational to our long-term success,” McGrath said. “It impacts and influences many aspects of everyday life across the province – economic, social, and environmental. When agriculture is successful, that success cascades throughout communities across the province.”

McGrath said he wants to meet with APAS members and representatives to get a sense of what they see as the top priorities

“For me, it’s about taking all of those issues and distilling that into how we as an organization prioritize our resources to do the policy work to find the solutions that work and to advocate for those solutions with government policymakers at all levels,” he said.

McGrath’s first official day with APAS will be Monday, Sept. 19.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW