GM's Report: June-July '10
June 16 – July 19, 2010
The 2010 Farm Progress Show was a very successful week for APAS:
- The International Business Reception was a resounding success. Aj did his magic in pulling together the event flawlessly. The food was cooked in six cultural variations and was superb. Aj is to be commended for his efforts with this event. He engaged partners, raised significant sponsor dollars, coordinated the preparations and serving, and effectively involved commodity organizations and other suppliers. It truly was a celebration of the quality of Saskatchewan food and food products. The involvement and role of APAS with the event certainly enhanced our image and reputation.
- While the grain transportation presentations done by Doug Faller each day of Farm Progress Show were not well attended, this presentation gave APAS significant visibility in program and show information.
- The release of the Edsforth report and the call of APAS for assistance with the excess moisture problems generated significant media activity for the President.
- For the second year in a row, APAS did not have a booth at Farm Progress Show. APAS resources were therefore not tied to a booth location where traffic and interest can be variable. Instead, the President, General Manger, and others are then free to cover the show and make important contacts in doing so.
Aj Thakker and Nial Kuyek met with Bob Friesen and Jonathan Warnock of Farmers of North America to discuss the potential partnership between APAS and FNA. Agreement was reached on a partnership. It will be officially announced and launched in August.
A significant amount of staff time over this period was devoted to the excess moisture problems. This included analysis of Crop Insurance coverage levels and past ad hoc payments; the drafting of letters, news releases, and the statement delivered by President Marshall at the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers’ Roundtable with CFA; organization of the tour of Ralph Goodale to the R.M.s of Prairie Rose, Leroy, and Lakeview and organization/coordination of the CKRM Newsline at Noon on Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Doug Faller, Nial Kuyek, and Jim Ross, APAS Representative for the R.M. of Wolsley, attended the Farming for Profit Conference in Moose Jaw on June 27 and 28, 2010. Doug Faller did a presentation on grain transportation and Nial Kuyek participated in a panel on farmer empowerment.
During this period, Tara assisted with the International Business Reception, participated in and took minutes at internal APAS meetings, received and directed calls from the media and others to the President and APAS staff, and provided general administrative support to key activities.
Over this period, Doug Faller participated in planning of the Food Summit, provided research and analysis support to the excess moisture initiatives of APAS, and accompanied the President to a meeting between the CWB and farm organizations on July 14.
Activities specific to the General Manager over this period include:
- Accompanied the President to the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers’ Roundtable with CFA
- Participated in two conference calls with ACC Farmers Financial for discussion of the proposals that will be presented to the APAS Board of Directors during this meeting
- Held two discussions with Bob Bailey of Delta Waterfowl relative to the potential ALUS project in Saskatchewan