The General Manager's Report

Enhancing accountablity

At past meetings of the Board of Directors and in discussions with Directors and Reps, I indicated that I wanted to move to a practice of weekly reporting to the Board of Directors as opposed to providing montly reports at Board meetings only.

Enough talk...

This,therefore, is the launch of the "Weekly Report from the General Manager": a summary of the activities of the staff group in the week just completed and the projection of activities for the next week. The intention is to keep you more effectively informed of staff activities on key issues, projects, and responsibilities in a timely fashion. This should enhance the accountability and transparency of management to the Board of Directors and Representatives.

General Managers Report

October 1 - November 7, 2011

Report of the General Manager

October 1 – November 7, 2011

 

 

The Town Hall Meeting sponsored by APAS and Agri-ville/Farms.com held at the Remai Arts Center in Saskatoon on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 was a tremendous success.  Minister Bjornerud participated on behalf of the Saskatchewan Party and Dwayne Yasinowski represented the New Democratic Party.  Doug Faller did an outstanding job in moderating the event.  Upwards of 50 grassroots farmers and representatives of farm organizations attended the event.  The Town Hall Meeting was webcast live on Agri-ville.com.  Aj Thakker edited the 110 minutes into a 60 minute production that was shown on SCN and the Shaw network on November 2 and the Access network on November 6.  Aj did an outstanding job in producing the event and editing it for broadcast in a very short timeframe.  In addition, the event was covered by Bob Simpson of CTV, Alice McFarlane of CJVR, Neil Billinger of CJWW, and a reporter from CKOM.  The 110 minute version that was posted on YouTube has received over 150 views between November 2 and 6.  The profile of APAS and Agri-ville.com was enhanced by over 12 media stories before and after the event and radio advertising before the event.  We have received feedback from several sources that the Town Hall Meeting/debate was one of the best ever.  An additional benefit was the building of relationships with the Access network, SCN, and the Shaw network for future collaboration.

 

Activities related to the ALUS Demonstration Project included a meeting with the RMs of Indian Head and South Qu’Appelle on October 4, a meeting with the RM of Francis on October 12, and a project planning meeting of the partners on November 3, 2011.

 

Nial Kuyek and Aj Thakker participated in conference calls relative to the Going Green Growing Green conference which was being organized for November 16, 2011 in Saskatoon.  While arrangements for the conference were proceeding nicely, registrations were slow in coming in.  Therefore, a decision was made to reschedule the conference to March 1, 2012 with the view that this timing would draw more participation.

 

Key activities for Aj Thakker over this period focused on the organization of the Town Hall Meeting and the editing of the program for broadcast.  Aj was also involved in ALUS activities and extensive discussions with Weather Farm and Earth Works relative to the incentive that APAS will offer for member renewal in 2012.

 

Doug Faller continued analysis of the Working Group’s Report to Minister Ritz and developments in the CWB issues overall.  Doug assisted in organization of the Town Hall Meeting and, as mentioned earlier, did an outstanding job as moderator of the event.  In addition, Doug was a guest at an Agriculture Policy class of Ken Rosaasen to deal with the role of APAS in agricultural policy.

 

Key activities specific to the General Manger included ALUS activities, the Town Hall Meeting, and weekly conference calls with the Co-Presidents.  On behalf of APAS, Nial attended the CFA Board Meeting on October 18 and 19 and participated in the CFA Lobby of Members of Parliament on October 20.

 

Brenda McBride assisted with a variety of administrative and communications functions and was on vacation for part of the month.     

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

General Managers Report

August 18 - September 2, 2011

Symposium on the Impacts on Grain Transportation with the Elimination of the Single Desk

The Symposium co-sponsored by APAS and the Department of Bio-resource Policy, Business, and Economics, University of Saskatchewan, on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 was very successful with 30 speakers and participants in attendance.  APAS was represented by President Greg Marshall and Vice Presidents Don Connick and Arlynn Kurtz with Nial Kuyek, Doug Faller, and Aj Thakker playing facilitation roles.  The fact that the speakers were the leading experts on these matters in Canada certainly contributed to the success of the Symposium.  Following the morning presentations and the afternoon session with Dr. Richard Gray, the participants were divided into two discussion groups to identify the key impacts, whether potential solutions exist or not, and the priority of the impacts.

APAS Presentation to the CWB Working Group Subcommittee

Greg Marshall and Doug Faller utilized the results of the Symposium in the APAS presentation to the CWB Working Group Subcommittee in Winnipeg on Wednesday, August 24, 2011.  Each of APAS, KAP, and WRAP was given 10 minutes for their presentations and 30 minutes was allocated for question and answer dialogue between the three farm organizations and the Subcommittee.  The presentation  of APAS focused on the grain transportation issues confirmed in the Symposium while KAP and WRAP addressed all issues. 

The President and Doug will provide further details to the Board during the next Board conference call/meeting.

 

Follow-up to the Symposium and Presentation to the CWB Working Group Subcommittee

APAS issued a news release on August 26, 2011 outlining the key transition issues that must be addressed that APAS has identified through member discussion and the Transportation Symposium.  The news release resulted in radio interviews by both Greg Marshall and Doug Faller and an excellent article in the August 30, 2011 Regina Leader Post. 

Aj and Doug have been working on a summary of the Transportation Symposium that will be used, all or in part, as our formal submission to the Working Group Subcommittee and in communications with federal Ministers, Members of Parliament, provincial Ministers, and Members of the Legislative Assembly.

 

Alternative Energy and Agriculture

The partnership of APAS, the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee, and the Saskatchewan Environmental Industry and Managers Association (SEIMA) is proceeding with the organization of a conference on Alternative Energy and Agriculture to be held in Prairieland Park in Saskatoon on Wednesday, November 16, 2011.  During this period, Environment and Food Safety Chair Norm Hall, Aj Thakker and Nial Kuyek participated in two conference calls dealing with agenda development and planning of the event.

ALUS Demonstration Project

Letters were sent to the four RMs that participated in the July 14, 2011 meeting at Indian Head providing them with information on ALUS and the proposed Project and seeking decisions on their interest in involvement in the Project.  The RM of Indian Head has responded with an invitation for a presentation at their October 11, 2011 Council meeting to assist them  in decision making.

On the morning of August 31, 2011, Nial Kuyek and Aj Thakker of APAS and Rob Olson and Jim Fisher of Delta Waterfowl met with three Councilors of the RM of Francis – Jim Vogt (APAS Rep), Ernest Gutzke, and Robert Muir – to discuss their Municipality’s interest in the Project and to encourage their involvement.  It was an excellent discussion and they recommended that we arrange a presentation to their Council to assist with decision making.    

Later in the day, the Saskatchewan ALUS Demonstration Project Working Group – APAS, Delta Waterfowl, the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW), and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) – met to discuss and plan announcement and roll-out of the Project this fall.  A decision on our Go Green funding proposal has not yet been made and the Ministry advises that a decision is at least three weeks away.  It is not clear whether or not we will receive a decision before the provincial election although that remains our hope.  In the event that our proposal is rejected, it was agreed that an alternate budget model without Go Green funding should be developed and that was done in a subsequent conference call on September 2, 2011.  The Working Group discussed options for announcement and roll-out including the above-noted RM meetings and visits of officials of the States of Louisiana and Mississippi.

 

Other Activities

The General Manager spent time pursuing sponsorship opportunities and participated in the annual Miller Thompson Golf Tournament which provided an excellent opportunity for networking.

 

Upcoming Activities


  

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

            

Report of the General Manager

July 21 – August 17, 2011

APAS staff participated in the Board of Directors conference call on July 21, 2011 with key agenda items including discussion of the CFA roundtable with Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers, APAS Policy on the CWB Plebiscite, a report from the Committee on Member Retention and Recruitment, and APAS recommendations for Business Risk Management within Growing Forward 2.  In follow-up to the Board discussions, the APAS Analysis and Recommendations related to Business Risk Management within Growing Forward 2 were formally submitted to Ministers Ritz and Bjornerud and APAS support for the wheat breeding initiative and levy concerns were forwarded to the Western Grains Research Foundation  

 

President Greg Marshall, Vice President Don Connick and General Manager Nial Kuyek met with Bill Martin and Lewis Stringer of the Gravelbourg – Hodgeville Railway in Moose Jaw on July 29, 2011 to discuss their short-line initiative and broader transportation questions relative to the government’s intention to eliminate the single desk in August of 2012.  Following this initial discussion, two conference calls and a meeting were held to develop the objectives, invitation list, and agenda for a Transportation Symposium that APAS and the University of Saskatchewan are hosting on Tuesday, August 23 to examine the impacts of the elimination of the CWB single desk on producer cars, short-lines and other grain transportation matters.    

 

A conference call of the ALUS Project Proponents was held on August 4, 2011 to evaluate the July 14, 2011 meeting with RMs and to discuss next steps with Greg Marshall, Aj Thakker, and Nial Kuyek participating on behalf of APAS.  A meeting of the ALUS Project Proponents is scheduled for August 31, 2011 to discuss involvement of the RMs, communications, and roll-out of the project in the fall of 2011.

 

Norm Hall and office staff have been involved in discussions with Kathleen Livingstone of SEIMA and Bert of the Agriculture Committee of the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce relative to the conference proposed for November 16, 2011 in Saskatoon.  An agenda is being developed focusing on alternative energy with the objective of helping farmers and ranchers learn about alternative energy sources and how they can be used at the farm and community level.    

 

Over this period, Brenda McBride provided communications and organizational assistance to the District 4 and 5 APAS Representatives meeting on August 8, Committee meetings, the Transportation Symposium, and the policy survey of APAS RM Representatives as well as other ongoing office functions.  Brenda has been assisting with website updates and has set-up the web page for the presentations from the Farming for Profit Conference. 

 

Doug Faller participated in meetings of the Environment and Food Safety and Grains and Oilseeds Committees as well as the District 4 and 5 meeting.  Doug finalized the APAS Analysis and Recommendations related to Business Risk Management within Growing Forward 2 for submission to Ministers, drafted letters to the WGRF supporting the wheat breeding initiative and levy concerns, and managed the policy survey of APAS RM Representatives.

 

Aj Thakker prepared a communications package to RMs on the election of APAS RM Representatives this fall, prepared a news release and other communications relative to the announcement of support for excess moisture, and devoted time to updating of the website.  Aj is redeveloping communications strategies for 2011-2012 that will be reviewed with the Board in the near future.

 

Activities specific to the General Manager included participation in the CFA Semi-Annual Meeting, an APAS Executive Committee Meeting, meetings of the Grains and Oilseeds and Economic, Trade and Strategic Growth Committees, the District 4 and 5 meeting, and the CWB farmer/public meeting in Saskatoon.  Nial participated in an orientation session for new Board members of the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon on August 16, 2011.

Report of the General Manager

June 22 – July 20, 2011

APAS participants at the Farming for Profit Conference in Moose Jaw on June 26 and 27, 2011 were President Greg Marshall, General Manger Nial Kuyek, Policy Manager Doug Faller, and RM Representatives Ken Dash and Marion McBride.  As has been the tradition, the conference brought together agricultural producers, academics, government and organizational representatives for discussion of a wide array of current agricultural policy issues.

 

The media tour on excess moisture on Tuesday, June 28 was very successful in terms of RM and media participation and subsequent media coverage.  Representatives of CTV, Global TV, CJME Talk Radio, the Leader Post, and the Carlyle and Oxbow newspapers joined APAS in tours and a meeting with 15 farmers from 5 RMs at Alameda.  Later in the day, the Leader Post joined APAS for a meeting with 15 farmers from 4 RMs at Odessa.  As a follow-up, Jim Smalley dedicated the CKRM News Line at Noon on June 29 to discussion of the excess moisture issues with Minister Bjornerud and APAS President Greg Marshall and Director Todd Lewis.  The News Line show included calls to Arlynn Kurtz in the RM of Fertile Belt and Ryan McKenzie in the RM of Lomond.

 

Nial Kuyek and Doug Faller attended the NFU Saskatchewan Region Meeting in Lumsden on the afternoon of July 6, 2011 for the presentations of Terry Boehm and Kyle Korneychuk (CWB).

 

In terms of member recruitment and retention, the General Manager, along with Ernie Briggs and Roy Selland, met with the RM of Cana and Lucien Lepage and James Vogt met with the RM of Montmartre.  The RM of Cana has since renewed membership for 2011 and we understand that the RM of Montmartre also decided to renew.  This will bring APAS membership for 2011 to 65.

 

Dr. Andy Schmitz met with Nial Kuyek and Doug Faller to discuss the 2012 Farming for Profit Conference, partnership possibilities, and policy issues.  Dr. Schmitz and Doug Faller had a follow-up meeting to discuss Growing Forward 2 and other current policy issues.

 

Nial Kuyek and Doug Faller met with Amber Fletcher, a Phd. Candidate at the Canadian Plains Research Center, who doctoral research is focusing on major changes in agriculture and the impacts on farm families.  APAS provided her with advice on the research subject and on potential contacts for interview purposes.

 

A meeting to introduce the ALUS demonstration project to candidate RMs was held in Indian Head on July 14, 2011.  The project proponents were pleased with the participation of 4 of the 5 RMs invited to the meeting.  The RMs of Francis, Montmartre, Indian Head, and South Qu’Appelle sent representatives to the meeting while the RM of McLeod did not.  All four project proponents – APAS, Delta Waterfowl, SAW, and the SWF – participated in the meeting.  The meeting included presentations on the concept of Ecological Goods and Services/Alternative Land Use Services, the evolution of the proposed ALUS demonstration project, how ALUS works, and how the RMs, ratepayers and local organizations can be involved.  The RMs will consider the project and confirm their interest in involvement in August/September.  Community level meetings to initiate the project could then begin after harvest.

 

Activities specific to Brenda McBride over this period included communications support, web site updates, and organization of meetings.  Brenda’s photography skills were certainly helpful in facilitating newspaper coverage of the media tour on excess moisture.

 

Doug Faller attended the Farming for Profit Conference and participated in a panel with a presentation on carbon credits.  Doug completed the analysis and recommendations for Growing Forward 2 and prepared a survey of RM representatives on policy priorities.

 

Activities specific to the General Manager included participation in a District 1 RM Representatives conference call and the Member Retention and Recruitment Committee.  Lease of an office to the Saskatchewan Book Awards beginning September 1, 2011 was negotiated during this period.             

Report of the General Manager

May 26 - June 21, 2011

Over this period, Brenda McBride provided administrative and communications support to a wide variety of organizational functions.

Key activities for Policy Manager Doug Faller included analysis of Growing Forward 2, identification of issues within GF2 that APAS should focus on, and participation in the June 21, 2011 consultation on GF2 in Regina. Doug was also involved in activities related to the carbon credit file.

Aj Thakker continues to update the website on an ongoing basis, was involved in activities related to Farm Progress Show, and provided support to the ALUS project.

Nial Kuyek and Aj Thakker were involved in conference calls and collaboration to develop and finalize the proposal to the Go Green Fund for "Conserving Biodiversity Through An Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Demonstration Project." The proposal was formally submitted on June 1, 2011 and seeks Go Green support of $447,900 with a total project cost of $757,900 over 19 months. On June 10, 2011, an invitation was issued to the RMs of Francis #126, Montmartre #127, Indian Head #156, South Qu’Appelle #157, and McLeod #185 to attend a meeting in Indian Head on June 28, 2011 to discuss the opportunity for involvement in the ALUS demonstration project.

The President, Board members Burns and Spencer, and staff were involved in activities at Farm Progress Show including the Merchant Bank launch, CWB, and FLC breakfasts. G. Marshall, G. Burns, D. Spencer, and D. Faller attended the Canadian Grain Commission information session. Nial Kuyek attended the AGM of the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan where he was elected to their Board of Directors as APAS representative for a three year term. The President and General Manager used time at the Show for targeted contacts.

Activities specific to the General Manger over this period included:

Participated in the meeting with Minister Ritz with President Marshall

Participated in two conference calls of the Board of Directors and a conference call and meeting of the Executive Committee.

Participated in a conference call of the APAS/KAP/WRAP General Mangers

Participated in two meetings between Kathleen Livingstone, Executive Director of SEIMA, and APAS representatives relative to co-sponsorship of a conference in the fall of 2011.

Participated in a meeting with Bill Gehl and Ken Imhoff of the CWB Alliance with G. Marshall and D. Faller

Report of the General Manager

April 11 - May 25, 2011

Over this period, Brenda McBride provided administrative and communications support to a variety of organizational functions.

Policy Manager Doug Faller drafted letters of action on the resolutions from the 2011 AGM, pursued discussions with Jared Carlsberg of the University of Manitoba relative to the farm contracts project, and has begun detailed analysis of the Growing Forward consultation documents. Doug was away for a week on vacation and for a week for seeding during this period.

Communications Manager Aj Thakker spent a significant amount of time during this period working on activities relating to the federal election. The radio debate between representatives of the four parties held on the Jim Smalley News-line at Noon on CKRM on Thursday, April 21, 2011 was very successful. Aj video-taped and edited the debate for broadcast on Access 7 on Saturday, April 30. Letters of congratulations were sent to the elected Members of Parliament immediately after the election. Aj’s other activities during this period included updates to the website and general communications matters.

Activities specific to the General Manger included:

Participated in the Annual Convention of the Hudson Bay Route Association on April 15 and 16, 2011 with Garth Burns and Erni Hall.

Participated in a meeting with the Council of the RM of Rodgers with President Marshall on April 13, 2011

Participated in a workshop sponsored by Environment Saskatchewan to provide advice to the Ministry and consultants on the issues and consultation process to be included in the development of the provincial water management strategy.

Chaired an ALUS Steering Committee meeting on April 20, 2011. Following this meeting, we were advised that the letter of intent submitted by APAS, Delta Waterfowl, and the SWF has been selected for submission of a full proposal. This required a conference call with Go Green officials on April 27 and a meeting between APAS, Delta Waterfowl, and the SWF on May 5 to begin development of the proposal.

Participated in a conference call with the General Managers of KAP and WRAP on May 4.

Participated in a conference call with William McLounie of ACC Farmers Financial relative to the Merchant Bank proposal and other issues.

Met with Christian Tjoa of NAI Commercial Real Estate Services – Worldwide to discuss investment and trade between Asia and Saskatchewan.

Was away for the weeks of May 9 and 16 on vacation and bereavement leave

Report of the General Manager

March 22 - April 8, 2011

All staff were involved in and contributed to the success of the 2011 Annual General Meeting. I would like to recognize the efforts of the staff group and Stacy Riggs in the organization and conduct of the Meeting. A detailed evaluation has been prepared and will be reviewed with the Board.

Over this period, Brenda McBride was involved in follow-up activities to the AGM, updating of data bases and the web site, and general administrative and communications support.

Doug Faller completed the Evaluation Report of the AGM and the Initial Analysis of the Rail Freight Service Review. Doug was interviewed by Farm Gate on farm input cost information as part of the Market Prospects series of which APAS is a sponsor. Doug participated in meetings of the Economic, Trade, and Strategic Growth Committee and the ratepayers of the RM of Viscount #341.

Activities for Aj Thakker included updating of the web site, production of APAS in Action, and coordination of the editing and submission of the Western Producer opinion editorial. Aj also prepared householders and advertisements for ratepayer votes being held relative to membership in APAS in the RMs of Pinto Creek #75, Garry #245, and Arborfield #456. Aj confirmed the interest of Jim Smalley/CKRM in a radio debate between the federal parties on agriculture issues and then began communications to invite the participation of the parties. The Return on Investment presentation was also fine-tuned over this period.

Activities specific to the General Manager over this period included meetings with Delta Waterfowl, APAS, Delta Waterfowl and the SWF, and the Provincial Steering Committee on the ALUS project. The project is moving forward to the point where selection of potential RMs will be the focus of the next meetings on April 20/21.

The General Manager participated in the wind-up dinner for the "Dining with the Stars" series, met with Council of the RM of Heart’s Hill at Luseland, and participated in ratepayers meetings at the RMs of Grayson #184, Emerald #277, and Grass Lake #381

Report of the General Manager

January 19 – March 4, 2011

Staff were involved in preparations for the audit which was conducted by Rick Legrand of Dudley and Company on February 3 and 4, 2011.  The audit went smoothly because of the excellent accounting services provided by Sharon Gimas and the records maintained in the APAS office.

APAS staff and executive attended the WRAP and KAP  Annual General Meetings in Jan, 2011

APAS partnered with Farmers of North America on six meetings held on February 14, 15, and 16 to discuss carbon credit trading issues with farmers.  The first two meetings held in Kipling and Melville had low attendance while the next four held in Davidson, Eston, Swift Current and Moose Jaw had better attendance.  The quality of discussion at all was high demonstrating  that farmers are interested in this issue.  The meeting generated positive media coverage.

Two meetings were held during this period on Alternative Land Use Services.  As the initial proponents of the project, APAS, Delta Waterfowl and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation have expanded the coalition to include the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Wascana Upper Qu’Appelle Watershed Association, Ducks Unlimited, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment and the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds.  The Moose Jaw River Watershed Association and the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association attended the second meeting and are considering involvement in the provincial steering committee that is being formed for delivery of the ALUS project in Saskatchewan.  An application has been submitted for Go Green funding to match the funds and in-kind that Delta Waterfowl, APAS and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation have committed to the initial project to allow for expansion of the project.  Rob Olson and Jim Fisher of Delta Waterfowl attended the second meeting and described the Saskatchewan project as the highest organizational priority for Delta Waterfowl.

The first Saskatchewan Food Summit was held in Saskatoon on March 2 and 3, 2011.  The Summit was certainly successful with a quality agenda and 140 - 150 in attendance.  Doug Faller participated in the organizing committee for the Summit on behalf of APAS and provided opening and closing comments for the Summit.  Aj Thakker handled media relations for the Summit.  General Manager Nial Kuyek was one of the speakers on food policy and strategy.  The Summit generated good media coverage and APAS had positive profile within the Summit.

Over this period, meetings of the Economic, Trade, and Strategic Growth, Environment and Food Safety, Finance, and Governance Committees were held and staff played support roles in organization and follow-up to these meetings.  Bylaw changes identified by the Governance Committee were discussed with Dr. Beke and he has prepared the specific changes to be presented to the 2011 AGM.

Staff have been involved in planning activities for the 2011 Annual General Meeting.  Official Notice of the Meeting was mailed to RM Representatives and Associate Members on March 3, 2011.

Activities specific to individual staff members over this period included:

 

·         Brenda McBride joined APAS on January 31, 2011 as Senior Administrative Assistant.  Over this period, Brenda was involved in orientation to APAS and performed a wide range of administrative and communications support functions.

·         Aj Thakker attended the KAP AGM, participated in the carbon credit trading meetings, and spent time maintaining and updating the website. We also launched a new YouTube President's Message which Aj is responsible for producing every two weeks and uploading to YouTube, our own website and for delivery through our telephone system. 

·         Doug Faller participated in the carbon credit trading meetings and prepared the report on the survey from Crop Production Show 2011.

·         Nial Kuyek participated in conference calls of Districts 1 and  4 and met with the Councils of the RMs of Britannia and Great Bend.    

Report of the General Manager

December 8 – 17, 2010

All staff were involved in the December 8, 2010 meeting of the Board of Directors and the December 9 and 10, 2010 Mid Term Meeting of APAS R.M. Representatives.  The staff team was pleased with the quality of presentations and the participation of Representatives at the Mid Term Meeting.  A summary of evaluations has been prepared for review with the Board.

APAS staff and President Marshall met on December 16, 2010 to update calendars, for follow-up to the Mid Term Meeting, for planning the December 20 Board meeting agenda, and for discussion of other issues and upcoming events. 

Doug Faller and Nial Kuyek met with Melanie Somerville, a doctoral student from the Department of Geography at the University of British Columbia, who will be examining over the next five years the issue of land trusts and, particularly, One Earth Farms in Saskatchewan and Western Canada.  In initiating her project, Melanie was in Saskatchewan to meet with APAS, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, and some First Nations for background information and related discussion.        

Over the week of December 13, Tara prepared the Minutes of the December 8 meeting of the Board of Directors, was involved in follow-up to the Mid Term Meeting, and begin preparations for the December 20 Board meeting.

Doug Faller was involved in a meeting of the Food Forward Committee where the opportunity for APAS to provide leadership in redeveloping a Saskatchewan brand presented itself.  Doug also participated in a meeting of the Climate Change/Carbon Credit Content Committee as part of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment’s process to develop regulations for this area as part of the Environment Code.  Doug also completed the summary of evaluations of the Mid Term Meeting and prepared the Action Plan for the 2010 Mid Term resolutions for discussion with the Board.

Aj Thakker was involved in a variety of follow-up to the Mid Term Meeting, updating of the website, and review of video coverage of presentations at the Mid Term Meeting.  Aj devoted time to editing video of the Canadian Bison Association’s 2010 Convention as part of APAS sponsorship of their Convention.

The General Manager accompanied President Marshall to a meeting with the Council of the R.M. of Elcapo #154 and David Spencer to a meeting with the Council of the R.M. of Pleasantdale #398 for discussion of APAS activities, accomplishments, and membership.  The General Manager was also involved in follow-up to items from the Mid Term Meeting and to corporate sponsorship requests.     

Report of the General Manager

November 1 – December 7, 2010

All staff were involved in preparations for the December 8, 2010 meeting of the Board of Directors and the December 9 and 10, 2010 meeting of the APAS R.M. Representatives.

All four of the APAS Policy Committees met during November.  The quality of the meetings was very good.  Doug Faller and Nial Kuyek worked with the Committee Chairs to develop the agendas, organized the meetings and prepared the Committee Minutes.

A message from President Marshall, invoices for 2011 membership, and copies of 2010: A Year In review were mailed on December 1, 2010 to the 70 R.M. members of APAS for 2010.  A letter and copies of 2010: A Year in Review will be mailed before January 1, 2011 to the RMs that APAS representatives met with in 2010.

Farm Credit Canada has become the first Agricultural Leader in the APAS Corporate Partners Program with a commitment of $12,000 per year beginning December 1, 2010 for 3 years and subject to renewal.  While details of the agreement are yet to be finalized between APAS and FCC, an announcement by FCC has been included in the Mid Term Meeting agenda for December 9, 2010.

During this period, Tara Pelle provided administrative support to the office and APAS overall.  Projects requiring significant time included the mailing of the invoice packages to member RMs and preparations for the Mid Term Meeting.

Over this period, key activities for Aj Thakker included drafting of two editions of APAS in Action and 2010: A Year in Review; arrangements for the Mid Term Meeting; and updating of the APAS website as well as providing support for APAS' sponsorship of the 2010 CBA Convention.

Doug Faller prepared the APAS response to the Interim Report of the Rail Service Review Committee and drafted the appeal to the rejection of the CAAP application submitted by APAS for the Farm Contracts Research Project.  Doug participated in meetings of the Food Summit planning committee and the Food Forward Committee which has been formed to develop markets for locally produced food.  Doug served as Chair at a rather historic meeting organized by the Food Forward Committee which brought together 4 representatives of Loblaw’s and a representative of Federated Cooperatives Ltd for dialogue with 30 local producer companies.

The Merchant Bank proposal was one of the key activities for the General Manager over this period with November 17, 2010 meetings with ACC/APAS and Enterprise Saskatchewan and Western Economic Diversification and six conference calls with ACC to further advance the proposal.

Nial Kuyek and Don Connick did presentations relative to APAS activities, accomplishments, and membership at the meeting of the Council of the R.M. of Big Stick #141 on November 3, 2010 and at the November 23, 2010 meeting of the South Central Municipal Organization at Assiniboia.

Other key activities for the General Manager included discussions on ALUS with Joel Peterson of Ducks Unlimited, Dr. Robert Bailey with Delta Waterfowl, and Bryan Gilvesy of the Norfolk County ALUS Project; participation in the meeting with Opposition Leader and Agriculture Critic D. Lingenfelter; attendance at Agribition’s International and Sponsors Receptions, and attendance at the Canadian Bison Association convention and banquet.       

September 21 – October 28, 2010

President Marshall and the General Manager met with Dennis Sherratt and Darrel Crabbe of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) to discuss the potential ALUS project with Delta Waterfowl.  It was agreed that APAS and SWF need to build a coalition to support the potential ALUS project.  A meeting was then organized for Monday, October 25, 2010 involving APAS, Delta Waterfowl, and SWF and to which SARM and the Stock Growers were invited.  SARM, represented by District 2 Director Calvin Jorstad and Director of Agriculture Policy Laurel Feltin, participated in the meeting but the Stock Growers did not. SARM has agreed to review this matter at their December 9 and 10, 2010 Board Meeting with Bob Bailey and Brian Gilvesy and then to make a decision on future involvement. 

President Marshall, Nial Kuyek, and Doug Faller met with Bob Mason and Kelly Moskowy of the Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation to discuss the role and plans of the Corporation.  APAS was pleased with their initiative in requesting the meeting and with the discussion on important grain transportation matters. 

Throughout this period, staff continued to be involved in the excess moisture issue.  This included monitoring of the situation, responding to inquiries, facilitating media coverage, and development of the letters that were sent to Ministers Bjornerud and Ritz in early October. 

Nial Kuyek and Aj Thakker attended the CFA Managers’ meeting held in Saskatoon on September 23 and 24, 2010.  The agenda included a number of timely items including the changing political and social landscape, the National Food Strategy, the CWB branding initiative, and a variety of policy issues.  As the meeting was in Saskatchewan, APAS assisted with some of the arrangements. 

During this period, Aj Thakker spent considerable time on web-site improvements and updating.  Aj also finalized negotiations for our 2010 Mid Term location and our sponsorship of Canadian Western Agribition and Crop Production Show. 

Tara Pelle’s activities over this period included a wide array of administrative support to the President, APAS staff, and Board members in communications, meeting and travel arrangements, and specific projects like sponsorship. 

Tara has developed a database for RM Council meeting dates that is very useful and will be shared with Directors. 

Besides contributing to the balance of payments deficit with Belgium and Holland during this period, Doug Faller prepared an analysis of the Rail Freight Service Review Interim Report and the bill introduced by Ralph Goodale to protect producer car loading sites.  In addition, Doug has continued to represent APAS on the planning committee for the Saskatchewan Food Summit which has now been rescheduled to March of 2011; participated with Saskatchewan Agriculture, AAFC, and the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate in the formation of a Saskatchewan Local Food Marketing Committee; participated in the Saskatchewan Water Forum organized by SUMA, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and Ducks Unlimited; and has begun work on surface rights issues. 

Doug Faller and Nial Kuyek responded to two sets of questions from Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan staff and had a conference call with them relative to the Farm Contracts Research Project proposal submitted to CAAP.  The project proposal will be discussed with the Board of Directors. 

Nial Kuyek and William McClounie of ACC Farmers Financial have collaborated on the development of the Merchant Bank funding application to Western Economic Diversification.  Over the course of October, this has involved five conference calls and several redrafts of the application.  The project proposal will be discussed with the Board of Directors. 

On October 27, 2010, the General Manager was contacted by Councilor Fred Clipsham of Regina who sits on the Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency.  In preparing for a SAMA Board Meeting, he noticed that APAS is not currently involved in any of their advisory committees or consultation groups.  He wondered if APAS wanted to be involved relative to the assessment of agricultural lands. The General Manager’s response was affirmative. 

Other activities specific to the General Manager over this period included participation in a conference call with the Managers of KAP and WRAP; a meeting with FCC relative to the Corporate Partners Program; participation with the President in the meeting with Minister Bjornerud; organization of the Prairie Farm Leaders conference call of October 26, 2010; and a meeting with Dr. Beke relative to Bylaw changes and APAS liability insurance. 

Some office changes are also worthy of reporting.  Effective September 1, 2010, APAS ceased rental of the two parking spots one block north of our office at a cost saving of $150 per month.  Effective October 1, 2010, APAS begin renting one of our offices for storage to Legal Aid at the rate of $400 per month.    

For More.......

To access General Manager Nial Kuyek's reports on APAS staff activites from December 2008 to the present, as well as the archived President's and Director's reports, please click [HERE]