APAS Representatives unite around policy and process.
December 4 and 5, 2008
Regina - The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) wrapped up a successful two-day Annual General Meeting in Regina on Friday afternoon. Delegates debated corporate structure, key policy issues and new initiatives as well as receiving presentations on the Railway Revenue Cap, Grain Handling and Food Sovereignty.
APAS especially wishes to thank guest speakers Wendy Kelly of the Dairy Farmers of Saskatchewan; Elwin Hermanson, Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Grains Commission; Robert McLean, Vice President of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP); and Laurent Pellerin, Vice President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) as well as the numerous guests and media who attended the 2008 annual general meeting.
Public policy adopted included resolutions calling for assistance to the livestock industry; a new program for young farmers, and the need for changes to the AgriStability program. Resolutions were also passed changing the governance structure of APAS to have the twelve-member Board elect the President and two Vice Presidents.
The 2008-2009 Board of Directors is:
District 1 Ernie Briggs of RM of Willowdale #153 & Arlynn Kurtz of RM of Fertile Belt # 183
District 2 Norman Nordgulen of RM of Lake of the Rivers #72 & Shawn Bourgeois of RM of Wood River # 74
District 3 Don Connick of RM of Carmichael #109 & Kevin Gilbert of RM of Piapot 110
District 4 David Spencer of RM of Connaught # 457 & Norm Hall of RM of Emerald # 277
District 5 Greg Marshall of RM of Mount Hope #279 & Garth Burns of RM of Prairie Rose
District 6 Jeff Simpson of RM of Mountain View #318 & Charles Boser of RM of Grass Lake #381
APAS also used the AGM as an opportunity to launch a new dynamic website, featuring expanded content and information for Saskatchewan’s agricultural community. The site includes regular Directors and Executive reports as well as detailed information on APAS policy and member benefits.
Immediately following the adjournment of the AGM, the 2009 Board of Directors met for the first time to elect Greg Marshall as President and Jeff Simpson and Don Connick to assume the roles of Vice- Presidents. In addition, a number of Reps were elected to specific policy committees. A complete list of committee members is available at APAS’ website at www.apas.ca
“Representatives faced and overcame the challenges of rebuilding the organization into the united voice for all agricultural producers in Saskatchewan,” said newly elected President Greg Marshall, “The newly elected Board of Directors are anxious to take the policy and governance resolutions passed at this AGM forward and to ensure that the organization focuses its attention on the issues facing all of our province’s agricultural producers."
APAS is the province’s general farm organization, formed to provide farmers and ranchers with a democratically elected, grassroots, non-partisan producer organization based on rural municipal boundaries. As the voice of agriculture in Saskatchewan, APAS represents the views of all agricultural stakeholders in order to form comprehensive policies that benefit all sectors of agriculture.
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For more information, please contact:
Greg Marshall, President – Tel: 306-746-7747 (cell) or president@apas.ca
Nial Kuyek, General Manager – Tel: 306-789-7774 or nkuyek@apas.ca