TURMOIL within the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, the province’s general farm group, should be viewed with concern by all in the agricultural industry.
When president Glenn Blakley tendered his resignation earlier this month, his letter and APAS’s official response shone an uncomfortable spotlight upon the organization’s internal struggles. Personnel issues, personal vendettas and administrative difficulties were cited.
Should APAS be unable to overcome internal problems, it will be unable to focus on the external challenges facing the province’s farmers and ranchers. That will be a disservice to producers within Saskatchewan and those across Canada.
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Some argue that the time for general farm groups is past, and that specific commodity groups do an adequate job of lobbying government. However, commodity groups by definition focus on a narrow range of issues. A general farm group can find broader areas of agreement among diverse interests and become an effective policy formulator, researcher and lobbyist.
It is easy for governments to do nothing when faced with contrary views from the agricultural industry. Strong and cohesive directions, voiced through general farm groups, are much more difficult, even foolhardy, for governments to ignore.
Manitoba’s Keystone Agricultural Producers group is a prime example of lobbying success. It is an accepted advocate for the province’s producers. KAP is not without internal controversy, as shown by the recent departure of the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association as a member. However, KAP remains a credible organization and an effective lobbyist.
Wild Rose Agricultural Producers in Alberta has been hindered by membership issues and financial challenges. However, it remains a member of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and a staunch defender of agriculture’s importance to Alberta’s economy and future.
APAS was officially formed in December 2000 and its development has never been smooth. Growing pains do not explain the rifts within. A revolving door of administrative staff has seen 42 people come and go, along with numerous resignations at the executive level.
APAS’s unique structure, relying on membership of rural municipalities for financial health, has also been problematic. Internal strife has adversely affected interest by RMs and fewer than two-thirds of those that belonged at APAS’s peak are still members.
Even so, APAS has done effective lobby work for farmers. It has been a constant advocate for education tax reform as it is applied to farmland – advocacy that now appears to be bearing fruit.
It has also lobbied for additional federal farm aid, changes to Saskatchewan farm ownership laws, assistance to producers in times of drought and it has protested the lack of attention paid to farmers in provincial budgets.
What could the organization have accomplished without its internal strife? Sadly, the answer will never be known. It is safe to say Saskatchewan’s farmers are not well served by an organization distracted by internal squabbles..
APAS needs to get its house in order and focus on the needs of the province’s farmers and ranchers. Western Canadian agriculture stands to gain.
Bruce Dyck, Terry Fries, Barb Glen, D’Arce McMillan and Ken Zacharias collaborate in the writing of Western Producer editorials.
