SEEKING INPUT ON RURAL REVITALIZATION

Producer groups, rural communities, agri-businesses and individuals are being

asked for their ideas for revitalizing rural Saskatchewan.



The provincial Action Committee on the Rural Economy (ACRE), an industry-

citizen group of rural leaders, wants written submissions by February 28th.



"Our challenge is to generate new solutions for both industry and government

that will address the challenges facing rural communities," Kamsack-area

producer and community leader Audrey Horkoff said. Horkoff co-chairs ACRE with

Agriculture and Food Minster Clay Serby.



"We aren't going to do this alone. We need the ideas and contributions of our

fellow rural residents," Horkoff added.



"Consultations are a key part of ACRE's process to develop a long-term vision

for sustainable rural economic development," Serby said. "We are out talking

with groups and individuals across the province, but we also want to give rural

people the opportunity to present their ideas to the committee through a

written submission."



The 45-member committee was struck last September. Serby has challenged the

members to work within a two-year time frame. A final report is expected in

the spring of 2002.



Submissions can be mailed to ACRE at Room 301, 3085 Albert Street, Regina, SK

S4S 0B1. Producers are encouraged to visit the ACRE website at

www.agr.gov.sk.ca/acre.



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For more information, contact:



Scott Brown

Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-5168