EXTENSION SERVICES EXPANDED IN RURAL SASKATCHEWAN

Expansion Means Greater Access and More Expertise Available to Producers

 The Ministry of Agriculture is expanding rural extension services offered to Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers. The Ministry is opening new rural offices in Kindersley, Watrous and Moose Jaw, and re-allocating additional staff to work in rural Saskatchewan.

"These new offices will result in a total of 10 Ministry of Agriculture regional offices and a renewed presence across rural Saskatchewan," Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud said. "This will help to ensure producers in all areas of the province have access to the information and expertise they need when making production and business decisions."

For the past number of years, extension services available to farmers and ranchers were limited to a toll-free telephone line and the Ministry website.

A new Ministry of Agriculture Regional Services Branch will now work directly with farmers, ranchers and industry agrologists to ensure producers have access to the latest technical knowledge and research results.

This change will result in 15 additional Ministry of Agriculture staff working in rural Saskatchewan. Once the changes are complete, producers will be able to access crop, livestock, forage and farm business management specialists at each of the Ministry's 10 regional offices. These specialists will be available for on-farm visits and to meet with producers one-on-one.

"We have heard overwhelmingly from farmers and ranchers that a telephone line or website is insufficient to meet their current needs," Bjornerud said. "Today's announcement puts our focus back on the farm gate, where it should be."

The Ministry will also take steps to increase awareness of the services now available.

"Producers need to know where they can access information and Ministry services," Bjornerud said. "Right now, some of our offices don't even have signs on them. That will change."

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For more information, contact:

Scott Brown
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031
Email: scott.brown@gov.sk.ca