Saskatchewan Producers Sign Up For CASS Program

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Farmers and ranchers who want to learn how to farm and ranch more successfully—or who want to learn a new trade that can provide off-farm income—can turn to the Canadian Agricultural Skills Service (CASS) for assistance.

CASS supports training to enhance or develop the skills and knowledge necessary to improve farm production or management practices, gain off-farm employment, or create or expand a business venture.

Those already participating in CASS appreciate the help it provided, and are confident that their new skills will lead to a more profitable future, either on farm or off - people like Mylo Chubb of Assiniboia:

“The CASS program gave me an opportunity to look into other fields of work," he says. "I’m a rancher. We are 100 per cent livestock. We have a cow-calf operation, along with yearlings, and we also custom graze. All our land was seeded back to grass in 1988 to 1990. We have approximately 3,500 acres. I used the program money to train for the oil patch. I am basically diversifying toward the oil and gas sector, with the anticipation that it is really going to open up here in south-western Saskatchewan.”

What are the expected results of the program?

This program will help increase the income and profitability of farmers through learning activities that have been validated through a skills and needs assessment process and the development of an Individual Learning Plan (ILP).

Assistance is provided to access training in areas such as improved farm practices, business management, accounting, finance, human resource management; training for other employment, or training to acquire skills to start a new business.

Dawn Anhorn and her family farm north of Hafford. “With the help of CASS, I am taking an office administration course at the Academy of Learning in North Battleford," she explains. "This will help me get off-farm income to help with our farming. I think it is great that they are helping people who normally would not be able to afford to do anything like this."

Anhorn will finish her training in July, and then her husband will start a heavy equipment operation course, also with CASS assistance.

"To other people considering taking advantage of CASS, I would say 'Go for it!' It paid for my tuition. It is helping to pay for mileage. This will help us make ends meet. Times are tough. We have a beef cow-calf operation. This will be a way to supplement our income.”

Farmers and their spouses with a net family income of $45,000 or less are eligible to apply for CASS. Beginning farmers are also eligible for some services, regardless of income.

To find out more about CASS, call the toll-free number 1-888-887-7977. Program application forms can be down-loaded from the SAF website at:

http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/about_us/apf/cass_factsheet2005.asp

For more information, contact:

Gerry Holland
Business Planning Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 787-4051

Adrienne Jensen
Acting Provincial CASS Co-ordinator
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 933-6016