Saskatchewan Organic Sector Training Needs Assessment

2 Background on the Study Study period February to June, Conducted by Sage Management Services, overseen by steering committee, funded by Saskatchewan Learning. Producers participated in surveys and focus groups. Discussions and surveys took place with Stakeholder Group. Extensive internet and Web based research, Review of relevant studies and reports. Feasibility study of Prairie Ursuline Centre

Saskatchewan Organic Sector Training Needs Assessment Included Environmental Scan Training Needs Assessment Consultations Review of Educational Models, Program and Curriculum Feasibility Study Prairie Ursuline Centre Recommendations

Organic Food Production Environmental Scan

Global Consumers Global organic food and drink market US $23 billion in Distribution – 51% North America – 46% Western Europe – 3% other areas Typically – Lives in urban area – Considers quality, origin, production methods – Well educated, middle to high income household Environmental Scan

Profile of a Canadian Organic Consumer 60% are female Under represented in the $60 to $80 K More likely to be form British Columbia Less likely to be from Saskatchewan (7%) or Alberta (12%) More likely to be yrs of age versus the over 55 age group Environmental Scan

Education and Training Few ‘formal’ educational opportunities exist. Strong models to follow in European countries Member and Stakeholder groups provide support Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada providing support Environmental Scan

Farm Information 89% of those surveyed are Certified Organic, 4% in transition. 95% produce grain, 22% Livestock, 15% Fruit & Vegetables. 86% dedicated 76 to 100% of farm production to Organics. Survey

Producer Skill Level Organic Production – 52% Experienced – 34% Intermediate – 8% Beginner – 6% Expert Organic Product Marketing – 36% Intermediate – 29% Beginner – 28% Experienced – 3 % Expert – 4% Don’t Know Survey

Communication and Gathering Knowledge – Telephone preferred tool, for communicating – 78% have computer – 42% have dial up, 11% high speed – 15% use computer for marketing and research – 89% learn from other Organic Growers – 82% from books, 70% workshops, 62%conferences, 60% trials – Producers prefer a regional, rural setting for training programs over major cities or online. Survey

Areas of Training Need Survey

Organic Certifications & Regulations 73% rate Organic Certification Extremely Important 64% rate Environmental Farm Plans Important 30% rate On Farm Food Safety Extremely Important, 30% Important 33% rate Foreign Certifications Extremely Important, 33% Important 54% rate Canadian Standards & Regulations, Extremely Important, 30% Important Survey

Organic Certifications & Regulations 93% have Organic Certification in place 55% have Environmental Farm Plans in place 25% have On Farm Food Safety in place 63% have Foreign Certifications or plan to have in place Survey

Education Costs Tuition – 43% of producers felt Tuition was of little to no concern – 46% would pay between $50.00 & $ per course Accommodations – 54% of producers felt accommodations were of little to no concern – 40% would pay between $35.00 & $50.00 per night Loss of Farm Labour – 49% said 1 day loss of labour was no more than a small concern – 63% said 1 week loss of labour was a concern or would have a serious impact Producers would pay – 25% pay $50 - $75/day – 27% pay $100 -$125/day – 13% pay $100-$200/week – 12% pay $300/week – 24% pay $500/week Survey

Customers & Sales Only 27% of organic producers market direct to consumers 68% of those do so at the Farm Gate 16% at Farmers Markets 11% at a Retail Outlet Survey

Prairie Ursuline Centre (PUC) 53% Surveyed were familiar with PUC. 49% on average felt it met expectations Start up costs approx. $800,000 Considerable risks associated with ownership of the facility Need for a common vision of an Organic Learning Centre Survey

Focus Group Sessions Successes of Sector – Positive environmental impact – Higher nutritional value of food – Preventing entrance of GMO wheat into Canada – Export market development – Organic farming viable for next generation Sector Needs – Financial support for conversion – Common Vision – National Standards & Regulations – Training and Resources – Research and Development – Functioning Value Chains Other Consultations

Certifiers view of Producer Needs Classify producers new & experienced as needs vary significantly Transitioning is intense process requiring support Feel mentorship program would be very valuable Not certain of the need for an Organic Learning Centre but a Sask focus to research and resources is needed. Other Consultations

Educational Models & Opportunities Lack of Credit Studies available in Sask. University of Guelph have only degree in Canada. Certificates available in other Provinces. Certificate in Ag Program (CAP) at U.of S. a good model to use for Organic Certificate Seminars and conferences highly utilized by organic producers Good models exist from which to build Formal Apprentice and Mentoring programs Research Findings

Dedicated Organic Learning Centre The Falls Brook Centre, NB Research Findings

Program & Curriculum Development Certificate Program - Easy to begin with, cost effective - Computer mediated and regional delivery lends to self directed learning style of many producers - May ease certification difficulties Degree – Would benefit the sector with valuable research papers – Develops highly educated organic professionals to provide expertise - May interest new entrants to the College of Ag & Bio - Resources Research Findings

Recommendations Develop a Provincial Organic Strategy (1) Develop Organic Promotion Plan that focuses on Consumer Awareness of health, environment and social benefits of buying organic. (2,5,6,8) Study mission to Europe, Cuba and other countries, review actions that support the growth and development of the organic sector. (3) Ensure lenders are knowledgeable of organic production and marketing systems.(4) Conduct research to support nutritional and health claims on organic products. (7) Seek membership with Agriculture in the Classroom program.(9)

Recommendations Universities and Colleges form a consortium to develop curricula in Organic Agriculture/Ecological Agriculture (10) Study new & potential students entering College of Agriculture& Bio Resources, U of S, on the potential of an Organic major. (11) Provide Organic Producers with educational resources including an updated & enhanced Organic Production Manual and a library of reference material. (12, 13) Make application to Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) for financial assistance. (14)

Recommendations Develop a formalized mentorship program that includes support and resource material for the acting mentors (16) Develop an ‘Organic Leaders Program’ in conjunction with Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI) (17) Pursue eligibility of the Organic Certification process as an approved Learning Activity under the CASS program. (18) Work with the First Nations Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan (FNACS) on co-beneficial programs.(19) Develop a common vision for an Organic Learning Centre conduct feasibility and develop business plan. (20)

Wrap up and planning session What comes next? Release the report via website. Prioritize the Recommendations Develop a Plan of Action from the Study. Provide general membership with follow up information.

Thank you