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By Alice McFarlane

Young Farmers Leadership

Encouraging young farmers to take on leadership roles

Nov 11, 2019 | 9:00 AM

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) is hoping to groom the next generation of leaders.

Six individuals has been accepted into the APAS Youth Leadership and Mentorship program.

APAS President Todd Lewis said the program was created to help producers between the ages of 18 to 40 gain valuable experience, take advantage of networking opportunities and develop the skills necessary to become industry leaders.

“Young producers are the future of agriculture,” Lewis said. “So, it’s important to encourage the next generation to get involved in our farm organizations and to learn about farm policy, as well as give them the skills and support they need to become leaders in their communities. We’re looking forward to working with these six bright young farmers.”

The new members of the program are Jocelyn Velestuk from the RM of Elcapo, Devon Walker from the RM of Wilton, Laurie Vidal from the RM of Loon Lake, Michelle Ross with the RM of Wolseley, Kirk Lishchynsky from the RM of Fish Creek and Reid Daley with the RM of Laurier.

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Participants are matched up with a farm leader over the age of 40 in a mentee-mentor relationship. They will attend APAS meetings, the APAS annual general meeting in Regina and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s AGM in Ottawa.

In 2016, the APAS Youth Leadership and Mentorship program participants presented a successful resolution to the APAS AGM asking for the creation of a Young Agricultural Producers policy committee within APAS, to work on issues that affect young farmers, like access to land and capital, succession planning and intergenerational transfers.

Since its inception in 2014, 28 young producers have completed the program.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF