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By Jamie Shanks, Communications Consultant, Communications Branch, Ministry of Agriculture, Regina
March 2021
The Saskatchewan Agri-Value Forum and Networking Event is back.
After being deferred in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, this annual forum returns this year on May 4-5 as an online event. The event is co-hosted by partners including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, Ag-West Bio and Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Over 200 participants typically attend what is a unique opportunity to hear discussions from global industry leaders about current and future developments and opportunities in value-added agriculture. Ninety-eight per cent of past attendees indicated the event was useful for their businesses.
This year's theme is Value-Added and the Next Decade of Growth, and the program covers two half-days of topics and presenters which include:
- Value-Added Macro Trends – Elaine Watson, FoodNavigator–USA (Santa Barbara, CA)
- Emerging Role of Precision Fermentation – Liz Specht, The Good Food Institute (Washington, DC)
- Update on Protein Industries Canada – W.L. (Bill) Greuel, CEO, Protein Industries Canada
- How Companies Have Responded to the COVID-19 Pandemic – panelists include:
- John Cote, Founder, Black Fox Farm & Distillery
- Melanie Morrison, Founder, Better Cart
- Riana Lynn, Journey Foods.io (Chicago, IL)
- Food and Beverage Industry Data Management Systems – Gary Nowacki, TraceGrains Inc. (Westminster, CO)
- Keynote speaker – Dr. David Hughes, Emeritus Professor of Food Marketing at Imperial College (London, England)
The registration fee of $50 provides digital attendance for both days, as well as access to the recorded sessions following the event.
Saskatchewan's Growth Plan includes a target to double the province's value-added revenue from approximately $5 billion to $10 billion by 2030. We are already home to one of the fastest-growing value-added sectors in Canada, comprising more than 300 food processing companies and 6,000 employees. There is significant room for growth when it comes to processes like local canola-crushing, meat processing and animal feed.
As a result of this potential, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, Ag-West Bio, Western Economic Diversification Canada and their partnering sponsors are pleased to once again bring together key members of the international value-added sector to share their thoughts, experiences and advice on innovation in this dynamic provincial industry.
For more information about the 2021 Agri-Value Forum and Networking Event and how to register, please visit Sask Agri-Value Forum or email us .