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REGINA — Applications are open until Aug. 31 for the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan's (APAS) Young Leaders program.

The APAS Young Leaders program offers Saskatchewan producers aged 18-40 an opportunity to learn about farm policy development and lobbying in an engaging and supportive environment, from the grassroots of the industry all the way to speaking with decision makers in Regina and Ottawa.

“A strong understanding of agricultural policy and its impact on farm and ranch success is becoming more vital every day, and the AYL program has been instrumental in improving that understanding over the past decade among the next generation of this province’s agricultural leaders,” said APAS president Ian Boxall, himself a former participant in the program.

Forty-five young leaders have completed the program since its inception in 2014-15, participating in APAS district meetings, the APAS annual general meeting in Regina and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s annual general meeting in Ottawa.

Among the 2023-24 cohort was Emiley Saunders of Borden.

“Governance, advocacy, and leadership are all such important skills to have whether you're serving as part of a school board, a local government, a policy committee or a volunteer organization,” said Saunders.

“Through the APAS Young Leaders program we really got to experience a wide array of activities that translate into other areas of our communities, as well as agriculture.”

LeRoy-area resident Neil Gossner was also accepted as an AYL participant this past year.

“This program showed me that farmers have the ability and power to communicate with government and can provide meaningful input into the discussions and changes being made,” said Gossner. “We were encouraged to be active contributors in the meetings, including with federal politicians and cabinet ministers. It was a very valuable learning experience, and I feel more confident taking leading roles in situations that I might have previously been hesitant to step into.”

Anyone interested in applying for the AYL program can submit their application online at apas.ca/ayl.

- Submitted by APAS