Farm leaders across the country welcomed Saskatchewan’s newest farm group into the national fold last week.
But they cautioned the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan to be patient.
Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Bob Friesen, Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Jack Wilkinson and Manitoba’s Keystone Agricultural Producers vice-president Chris Hamblin all spoke to delegates at the APAS founding convention in Regina Dec. 8.
APAS is a general farm organization that grew out of a resolution at a rural municipal convention slightly more than a year ago.
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The group operated under an interim executive leading up to last week’s meeting when delegates from about 80 rural municipalities elected an executive, passed bylaws and began developing policy.
Friesen said the new group is critical to the national farm lobby.
“We need you around our table and I’d like to think you need us,” Friesen told the delegates. “Don’t expect instant measurable results. It’s a long, slow process.”
Hamblin also encouraged them to be patient.
“Policy does take a lot of effort.”
APAS plans to work in areas that Saskatchewan farmers have in common, rather than more controversial issues.
President Terry Hildebrandt of Langenburg said farmers must start pulling together.
“For too long decisions have been made for us and about us but without us,” he said.
Friesen said concentrating on areas of agreement is a good way to start.
“As the organization matures, then they can begin to nibble at the edges of more controversial issues,” he said.
Wilkinson urged APAS to join the CFA. He said the issues facing farmers in Saskatchewan are not much different than those faced by Ontario farmers, and he said APAS will need a strong effort in Ottawa.
“You can’t lobby for no money,” Wilkinson said. “Do you hire a lobbyist down in Ottawa to look after your provincial concerns and your issues or do you join a Canadian Federation of Agriculture and help them with the resources so they can lobby on behalf of Canadian farmers?”
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool is the only Saskatchewan-based CFA member. Wilkinson said the company has been strong on grain and transportation issues, but “would openly admit that they don’t have the legs under them for some of these general policy issues.”
“There is clearly room for a general farm organization from this province,” Wilkinson said.
Canadian Wheat Board minister Ralph Goodale also spoke at the conference.
In an interview after his presentation, Goodale said the lack of a unified farm voice from Saskatchewan has been a problem at times.
“It is very tough for farm organizations to try to build the cohesion within and among different groups of farmers representing some very different perspectives, but it’s exceedingly important to try.”
