Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Helping farmers and their spouses increase their family income through improved business practices or off-farm income has become a major priority for both provincial and federal agriculture authorities under the current Renewal initiative.
“This initiative is about recognizing that agriculture is one of the sectors that have been identified as having significant potential for economic growth, especially in value-added activities,” says Gerry Holland, a Regional Business Planning Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.
“Farm families continue to acquire new skills and knowledge. This is why the Canadian Agriculture Skills Service (CASS) program was launched this summer. CASS makes the acquisition of new skills more accessible. Research has shown that investment in education and skills training is three times more important to economic growth, over time, than investment in physical capital such as machinery or equipment,” he added.
Saskatchewan is receiving $21.96 million under CASS. Specifically, CASS provides financial assistance to help participants develop learning plans and access training in all areas of farm business, or training to acquire skills for starting a new business or developing employment opportunities.
“For instance, a consultant is available to help you decide which courses or workshops would be most helpful to you. Individuals identify beneficial training courses in their Individual Learning Plans. Funding is available for any non-degree courses provided by registered learning institutions or for privately delivered workshops or short courses pre-approved by CASS management. The program could cover tuition, course materials, travel, dependent care or replacement labour,” explains Holland.
What are the eligibility criteria? You and your spouse are eligible to participate if you are an established producer with gross farm sales of at least $10,000 per year, or if you own 20 per cent of a farm corporation, co-operative or other farm group enterprise with $10,000 annual gross farm sales.
“You would also qualify if you are a beginning farmer, defined as someone who intends to establish a farm, or has already owned or operated a farm for less than six years,” Holland points out. To be eligible for the program, potential participants must also have been out of school for at least two years and have a net family income of less than $45,000 per year.
For more information on the CASS program, call toll-free 1-888-887-7977 or visit the website www.agr.gov.sk.ca; click on the Agricultural Policy Framework Programs button, then on Renewal.
Producers can also contact their Regional Business Planning Specialist through the Saskatchewan Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
For more information, contact:
Gerry Holland
Regional Business Planning Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 787-4051
Helping farmers and their spouses increase their family income through improved business practices or off-farm income has become a major priority for both provincial and federal agriculture authorities under the current Renewal initiative.
“This initiative is about recognizing that agriculture is one of the sectors that have been identified as having significant potential for economic growth, especially in value-added activities,” says Gerry Holland, a Regional Business Planning Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.
“Farm families continue to acquire new skills and knowledge. This is why the Canadian Agriculture Skills Service (CASS) program was launched this summer. CASS makes the acquisition of new skills more accessible. Research has shown that investment in education and skills training is three times more important to economic growth, over time, than investment in physical capital such as machinery or equipment,” he added.
Saskatchewan is receiving $21.96 million under CASS. Specifically, CASS provides financial assistance to help participants develop learning plans and access training in all areas of farm business, or training to acquire skills for starting a new business or developing employment opportunities.
“For instance, a consultant is available to help you decide which courses or workshops would be most helpful to you. Individuals identify beneficial training courses in their Individual Learning Plans. Funding is available for any non-degree courses provided by registered learning institutions or for privately delivered workshops or short courses pre-approved by CASS management. The program could cover tuition, course materials, travel, dependent care or replacement labour,” explains Holland.
What are the eligibility criteria? You and your spouse are eligible to participate if you are an established producer with gross farm sales of at least $10,000 per year, or if you own 20 per cent of a farm corporation, co-operative or other farm group enterprise with $10,000 annual gross farm sales.
“You would also qualify if you are a beginning farmer, defined as someone who intends to establish a farm, or has already owned or operated a farm for less than six years,” Holland points out. To be eligible for the program, potential participants must also have been out of school for at least two years and have a net family income of less than $45,000 per year.
For more information on the CASS program, call toll-free 1-888-887-7977 or visit the website www.agr.gov.sk.ca; click on the Agricultural Policy Framework Programs button, then on Renewal.
Producers can also contact their Regional Business Planning Specialist through the Saskatchewan Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
For more information, contact:
Gerry Holland
Regional Business Planning Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 787-4051
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