REGINA, Sask. — Young farmers, agribusiness professionals and emerging industry leaders from across Saskatchewan are being encouraged to attend a leadership-focused event in Regina later this month, as two Saskatchewan organizations team up to offer a day of leadership development, community building and financial literacy during Canadian Western Agribition.
Sask Young Ag and the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship Program are partnering to host a professional development event Nov. 23, on the opening day of Agribition. The program is aimed at producers and agriculture professionals under the age of 40 and is designed to help participants build connections while developing skills they can bring back to their farms, businesses and communities.
The day will begin with a panel discussion examining opportunities and challenges facing agriculture's next generation. Speakers include former Saskatchewan deputy minister of agriculture Alanna Koch, farm leader Clinton Monchuk and moderator Claire Nagel.
Additional sessions will focus on strengthening rural communities and improving financial literacy, with presenters including Nicole Korpusik and Luke Chatterson of Conexus Credit Union.
Kaitlyn Kitzan, the Yorkton-based general manager of Sask Young Ag, said the partnership grew out of a shared goal of supporting young people working across the agriculture sector.
"Sask Young Ag is a membership-based organization in Saskatchewan that serves anybody young who works in agriculture," said Kitzan. "Our job is to create learning opportunities and networking opportunities for these young people in Saskatchewan."
Kitzan said the event combines the strengths of both organizations, bringing together Sask Young Ag's focus on professional development with the mentorship opportunities offered through the Next Gen Agriculture program.
The initiative comes at a time when many young producers work in relative isolation, particularly in rural areas.
"I find being a young farmer myself and somebody who's involved in agriculture, it can be very isolated," Kitzan said. "It's great to get out of your comfort zone and meet other young people in agriculture across our province."
She said building those relationships can have lasting benefits long after an event ends.
"Some of my lifelong friends came from that organization," Kitzan said, referring to her time on the Sask Young Ag board. "It's really important to bring young people in agriculture together to learn from each other, but also have that network when they go back to their farm or their rural community."
Organizers hope participants leave with practical knowledge, new industry contacts and a stronger sense of connection heading into the rest of Agribition week.
Registration remains open through Sask Young Ag and the Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship Program.
Canadian Western Agribition runs Nov. 23-28 in Regina, drawing producers, exhibitors, industry organizations and international visitors from across the livestock and agricultural sectors.
