New generation says Yes! to agriculture

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

“There is so much focus on the way it used to be. We need more focus on how it is going to be. We need to be able to get into people’s heads that things are changing.”

That is the vision of Lynden Butler, the chairman of the Young Ag-Entrepreneurs, and the focus of an upcoming conference aimed at showcasing the new organization.

The “YES! to Agriculture” conference runs February 2 to 4 at the Saskatoon Inn.

The Saskatchewan Young Ag-Entrepreneurs (SYA) is a new and dynamic group, active at both a provincial and national level. As a provincial affiliate of the Canadian Young Farmers’ Forum (CYFF), the SYA’s goal is to provide a networking opportunity for young ag-entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan so that they can exchange ideas and access development opportunities.

SYA also raises funds to allow members to travel across Canada in order to meet other young agricultural entrepreneurs, helping them to make contacts in industry and government in order to advance skills such as business development.

Anyone between the ages of 18 and 40 who is involved in production and agri-business can be an SYA member. It provides a motivational platform for young people in agriculture to help shape the future of the industry in the province.

SYA has been around for over a year, and is looking for an opportunity to show people what it is all about. Butler says the YES! to Agriculture conference provides that opportunity.

“The conference is sort of the kick-off for us. We’ve got a lot of interest, but we need a big event to show people what we can provide,” he noted.

Butler says there are a number of sessions over the three-day conference designed to empower the next generation of producers by giving them the tools they need to succeed. “We’ve got sessions on everything from environmental planning to business planning. We’ve got sessions on the value chain, as well as two workshops offered through Farm Credit Canada’s AgriSuccess program.”

Butler says that, beyond the education and information exchange, the chance to meet other young farmers is a key component of the conference.

“You can’t predict the future from the past because of the way things are changing so rapidly in the agricultural industry,” he stated. “We need to have that network out there and to be able to talk to peers in the industry. We need to be able to look at it from the inside out; and we need to be talking to a peer group that is looking to the future, not looking to the past.”

To learn more about the YES! to Agriculture conference, SYA, and future SYA events, call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377, or e-mail inquiries to saskyoungag-ent@hotmail.com.

For more information, contact:

Lynden Butler, Chair
Saskatchewan Young Ag-Entrepreneurs
Phone: (306) 373-2464
Cell: (306) 260-5645