By Dave Yanko
Few who live in Saskatchewan need to be reminded that the agriculture industry is an integral part of our economy and culture. Saskatchewan farmers produce a wide variety of safe, high-quality foods that feed Canadians and the rest of the world. But while it’s not in their nature to crow about such things, Saskatchewan farmers also give back to the community by helping organizations who help those in need.
Consider Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan (CFS), for example. CFS, which represents farmers at 68 licensed chicken farms in the province, contributes funds to food banks in Saskatoon and Regina as well as to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon. The organization also donates to STARS air ambulance service, educational programs in the classroom and amateur sports teams in the province. CFS was a major sponsor of the lunch at Saskatoon’s Friendship Inn, part of the kick-off to the provincially proclaimed Agriculture Month that runs through October.
“We had lots of our staff present to help with lunch and answer any questions that came up,’’ says Graham Snell, executive director of CFS. Snell considers it part of his mission to tout the charitable work of his members. He added, “We wanted to pack the house with as many volunteers as possible and provide as much assistance as we could.’’
Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan (FFC SK), a coalition of producers, government and businesses with a mandate to help people understand food and farming, organized the lunch. FFC SK plays a lead role in the activities and events surrounding Agriculture Month, a time to pay tribute to food production and producers in Saskatchewan. But Agriculture Month is also a time to encourage community support of food banks, soup kitchens and other local helping organizations. The hashtag #CelebrateAg encourages residents to learn and share information about agriculture on social media.
The theme of this year’s Agriculture Month is Meals From the Farm (#MealsFromtheFarm), a spin-off of a recent FFC SK initiative that saw hundreds of lunches prepared from Saskatchewan foods and served to school kids in major centres across the province. Meals From the Farm aims to increase understanding about how food is grown in Saskatchewan, how it reaches the dinner table and how agriculture is crucial to Saskatchewan’s economy.
Saskatchewan Egg Producers (SEP), a major sponsor of Meals From the Farm, donates eggs and egg-based products to Saskatoon Public Schools through the Cheer Crate Campaign. The program provides students with nutritious food packages during several breaks that occur in the school year. SEP, which represents 73 egg farms in the province, also supports Kamsack Family Resource Centre, Friendship Inn, The Lighthouse supported living facility in Saskatoon, food banks in Saskatoon and Regina and annual events such as the Queen City Marathon in Regina.
Saskatchewan’s egg farmers occasionally take a broader approach to community to when considering their charitable giving. Dion Martens, executive director of SEP, says his organization recently donated egg-and-lentil protein crisps to help feed people in war-torn Ukraine. “Obviously, the big focus for us is Saskatchewan,’’ says Martens. “This is where our farms are, where our farmers live and where they raise their families. But we’ve also made some pretty substantial contributions overseas.’’
Chicken and egg farmers are not the only Saskatchewan food producers to share their bounty by giving back to the community.
SaskPork, which represents 147 hog farms across the province, lends its support to three food banks in Saskatchewan as well as to Ronald McDonald House, Telemiracle, Friendship Inn and STARS air ambulance service. SaskPork also sponsors events and programs organized by FFC SK, including Agriculture in the Classroom, a partnership of agriculture and education groups working to connect kids to agriculture. Saskatchewan’s 9,000-plus oat farmers support education initiatives, as well. They contribute to the Oats for Breakfast program through SaskOats, their representative organization. Oats for Breakfast supports bursaries to fund in-school nutrition programs.
Healthy nutrition for youngsters is also the focus of the School Milk Program, sponsored by SaskMilk, an organization that represents 165 dairy farms in the province. SaskMilk also donates to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, Saskatchewan Games Council, Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association and Saskatchewan Abilities Council, as well as numerous youth sports teams.
While a number of farmers’ groups support education in the classroom, SaskCanola gives back by supporting an education organization devoted to safeguarding people and families on the farm, where they produce our food. Agriculture is one of the most dangerous industries in Canada, each year claiming the lives of about 100 adults and children. SaskCanola’s contribution to Canadian Agricultural Safety Association helps give farm families the tools and information required to stay safe on the farm.
Agriculture Month is a time for Saskatchewan to celebrate the founding industry of our province. It’s also a time to celebrate our farmers and to follow their lead by giving back to the communities where we live and work.