Released on August 16, 2011
Today, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture officially opened a new satellite office in Assiniboia, where producers can access crops, livestock, forage and farm business management information and advice.
"Addressing the needs of farmers and ranchers and improving our services are priorities for our government," Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud said. "After being limited to information from a toll-free line and website under the previous government, farmers and ranchers in the Assiniboia area will now have access to local, hands-on, one-on-one services."
Producers in the area had been without provincial extension services since 2004, when the previous government closed the rural service centre in Assiniboia.
"Unlike the previous government, our government believes local producers should have access to local extension services whether it's crops, livestock, forage or farm business management advice," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister and MLA for Wood River D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert said.
The Assiniboia office is one of seven new Saskatchewan Agriculture satellite offices that have been opened this year to better serve farmers and ranchers. The other new satellite offices are located in Lloydminster, Moosomin, Meadow Lake, Estevan, Shaunavon and Wadena. The satellite offices will operate as a two-year pilot project.
The seven new satellite offices are in addition to the 10 existing regional offices in Tisdale, Watrous, Yorkton, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Kindersley, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Weyburn and Outlook.
The Assiniboia office is open every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Producers can also book an appointment with a specialist by calling 1-866-457-2377.
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For more information, contact:
Jenna Webb
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: jenna.webb@gov.sk.ca