Released on January 7, 2013
Record Funding to Promote Agriculture at Prairieland Park
Today, during the first day of the Crop Production Show, Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced a sponsorship of $125,000 over five years for Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corporation. This funding of $25,000 per year is a record amount and nearly 10 times the amount provided to Prairieland Park in sponsorships in 2007.
This funding will support agriculture events such as the Crop Production Show, Junior Ag Showcase, Ag Experience, Youth Leadership, Western Canadian Dairy Expo and the Saskatoon Fall Fair.
"The events hosted by Saskatoon Prairieland Park are integral to bringing the agriculture industry together, showcasing new innovations and providing opportunities for our youth to learn more about agriculture," Stewart said. "These shows play an important role in raising the profile of our agriculture industry and ensuring Saskatchewan remains a global agriculture leader in the future."
Prairieland Park hosts a number of agriculture-related events every year that attract more than 220,000 visitors, and result in significant investment into the local and provincial economies.
"As the roots of agriculture extend deep into the heart of the province so does the commitment to agriculture programming at Prairieland Park," Saskatoon Prairieland Park CEO Mark Regier said. "With the support of the Ministry of Agriculture we can continue to improve and expand our agriculture programs and showcase this vibrant industry in Saskatchewan."
Agriculture continues to be one of the most important drivers of Saskatchewan's economy. In 2011, Saskatchewan became Canada's leading agri-food exporter with more than $10 billion worth of agri-food exports. The Saskatchewan Plan for Growth sets out goals to increase crop production by 10 million tonnes and agri-food exports by $5 billion by 2020.
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For more information, contact:
Jonathan Tremblay
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5155
Email: jonathan.tremblay@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-4199