New Entrant and Intergenerational Transfer Programs

...a multi-faceted approach to making a difference.

Study Author, Al Sholz presents key recommendations at the APAS Mid Term Meeting in Regina

(Regina) A resolution was adopted at the December 2008 Annual General Meeting of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) and the February 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) in support of “improved intergenerational transfer program to attract young people to agriculture”.

APAS subsequently commissioned A. N. Sholz & Associates of Saskatoon in the spring of 2009 to undertake a study with a stated objective of “providing an overview of the intergenerational transfer, new entrant attraction and immigration programs currently offered across Canada with recommendations for the province of Saskatchewan”.

Al Sholz of A.N Sholz & Associates presented the study’s findings: “Strategies and Recommendations for New Entrant and Intergenerational Transfer Program Needs” at the 2009 APAS Winter Mid-Term Meeting on Friday, December 4 at 8 am.

While attracting new entrants to farming has been identified as a new crisis situation, there is a current leadership gap in addressing the challenge. Government must play a role in policy and legislation, but it is only one of several key stakeholders. And while it will take a collaborative and committed approach by all stakeholders to fully address the challenge and develop a thoughtful and effective long-term solution, there are numerous things that can be started immediately by farm organizations, the government and industry.

Though there is no silver bullet to attracting new entrants (of all ages) to agriculture, the recommendations do address the key elements of a multi-faceted approach to making a difference.

Al Sholtz is a graduate of the College of Agriculture and College of Education from the University of Saskatchewan, a member of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, the Canadian Consulting Agrologists Association, and the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. He served three terms with the Saskatoon & District Chamber of Commerce, served two terms on the Senate of the University of Saskatchewan, served on the Board of Directors of Saskatoon Credit Union and was President of the Saskatchewan Council for International Development and the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Agrivision Corporation.

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For more information, please contact:

Greg Marshall, APAS President

Office: (306) 789-7774 ext 151

Cell: (306) 789-7774 ext 211

Email: president@apas.ca

Nial Kuyek, APAS General Manager

Office: (306) 789-7774 ext 154

Cell: (306) 789-7774 ext 212

Email: nkuyek@apas.ca

To schedule media interviews or to request copies of the full report, please contact:

Aj Thakker, APAS Communications Consultant