Jean L Clavelle

Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan

As of December 10 2014 our province will see the launch of a new organization called Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan (FFCSK). FFCSK represents the wide range of producers established here in Saskatchewan, from livestock to crops to horticulture as well as government and related businesses with a common goal to provide credible information on food and farming within the province. It is FFCSK’s mandate to cultivate awareness and appreciation of agriculture in consumers with the belief that getting to know farmers equals getting to know food.

Previously called the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan or FACS, the group began investigating the potential of a move to FFCSK in 2011. FACS currently represents the livestock and poultry industries to advance responsible animal care within the province. However Adele Buettner, FACS Executive Director noted that “…the general public does not understand how their food is grown or how agriculture has changed over the years, neither is there currently one central location in Saskatchewan where consumers can readily access reliable information on food production.” It was recognized a wider need was not being met so FFCSK was created to represent the people who are passionate about food and farming in Saskatchewan and provide a coordinated effort, expertise and a unified voice on behalf of the whole agri-food sector.

FFCSK will launch with its inaugural conference Menus of Opportunity – Farms at the Table on December 10 and 11, 2014 in Saskatoon. The objective is to get everyone to the table to join the conversation in true farm spirit. The conference will begin with an exciting workshop on communicating with consumers. Presenters include Mike “Meshy” Klein who will help participants navigate through the maze of social media and its implications and applications for the ag industry; Dennis Prouse of CropLife Canada who will be presenting on “De-mystifying the World of Lobbying”; and Kelly Daynard from Farm & Food Care Ontario whose “Speak Up” training will focus on how to get the message of modern-day agriculture out to consumers.

Day Two will showcase a group of renowned speakers who will be sharing their stories with conference goers. Presenters include:

• Dr. Joe Schwarcz, Director, Office of Science and Technology McGill University – Agriculture Myths and Facts;
• Kelly Daynard, Communications Manager, Farm & Food Care Ontario – Getting the Real Dirt on Farming;
• Carrie Mess (aka Dairy Carrie) Blogger and U.S. Social Media Farmer of the Year discussing the World of Agvocacy;
• Rob Saik, CEO Agri-Trend Inc., and author of The Agriculture Manifesto – Non Science and Food Paranoia;
• Adele Buettner Executive Director of FFCSK – Stepping up to the table with FFCSK.

We are extremely pleased to present FFCSK to Saskatchewan and would love for you to join us. For more information and to register for ‘Farms at the Table’ please go to farmfoodcaresk.org or contact FFCSK at 306.477.3663.

 

---

Posted by Farm and Food Care on November 12th, 2014 :: Filed under Agricultural Advocates,Speaking out
Tags :: dairy cattle, education, SaskAg
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

---