(SK) PROVINCE PROCLAIMS AGRICULTURE LITERACY WEEK

(SK) PROVINCE PROCLAIMS AGRICULTURE LITERACY WEEK

Postby Oscar » Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:59 pm

(SK) PROVINCE PROCLAIMS AGRICULTURE LITERACY WEEK

[ http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/n ... eracy-week ]

Released on February 27, 2015

Today, the Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed March 1 to 7, 2015, as Agriculture Literacy Week in Saskatchewan.

“Agriculture Literacy Week is an opportunity for us to teach our youth about agriculture and food production,” Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said. “Many of today’s students grow up disconnected from farms and agriculture. This week provides them with an opportunity to learn about our industry in a fun, interactive way.”

“The Ministry of Education is proud to be supporting Agriculture Literacy Week, as it’s another innovative way to engage our students in their learning,” Education Minister Don Morgan said. “This is an excellent way to encourage the literacy skills of our students while also promoting one of Saskatchewan’s most important industries.”

During Agriculture Literacy Week, producers and other members of the agriculture industry gather in classrooms across the province to read agriculture stories and discuss their experiences in the industry. Their visits are supplemented by materials provided by Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC), such as books and videos.

“Agriculture plays a vital role in our lives, and it’s important that our youth understand that,” AITC Executive Director Sara Shymko said. “Students often learn best when they are able to connect with their subject matter. By introducing them to people directly involved in the agriculture industry, we’re able to help them understand the role agriculture plays in their lives and in the world.”

This year’s industry volunteers will be reading from AITC’s new book, The Adventures of Michael and Mia: Stewards of the Land, written by Edward Willett and illustrated by Val Lawton. The book introduces readers to modern agriculture and farm stewardship. More than 130 classrooms and almost 3,000 students will be taking part in Agriculture Literacy Week this year. -30-

For more information, contact:

Sarah Hein
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5389
Email: sarah.hein@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-9102

- - - - -

From: Elaine Hughes
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2015 10:42 AM
To: sarah.hein@gov.sk.ca
Cc: Food For All Coalition ; Food Secure Canada ; Food Secure Saskatchewan ; SK NDP Caucus ; SK Green Leader - Lau, Victor ; SK Party Caucus ; NFU
Subject: PROVINCE PROCLAIMS AGRICULTURE LITERACY WEEK

Hello, Ms Hein

I have some serious concerns about current agriculture practices in Saskatchewan:

- the continued use of glyphosates and other poisons on what is supposed to be ‘safe food’ but which are polluting/contaminating our food, air and water wherever it lands, killing/harming other life forms (think bees, epidemic-levels of cancer, MS, Lupus, Parkinson’s, etc. );

- the continued operation of pig and chicken factories with the inherent use of low-level antibiotics just to keep these creatures alive long enough to get them to market; think SUPERBUGS which have now become immune to most of the dozen or so antibiotics in existence on the Planet and which are capable of killing or maiming people;

- the unacceptable lack of enforcement/regulations which should protect the homes, gardens, yards, water, children, pets, livestock, etc. . . . near land upon which the poisons are used. Neighbours are (sometimes) casually told to stay in the house or leave their house on the day the ‘farmer’ sends in his ridiculously huge spraying equipment, planes or helicopters with complete disregard for the direction and speed of winds in the area or the proximity of their activity to those neighbours. No such thing as protecting the rights of those neighbours to the safe use and enjoyment of their land/homes in rural Saskatchewan!

- the lack of labelling regarding GMOs in our so-called ‘food’ – we are being used as ‘lab rats’ in this feeble and pitiful attempt of man to alter/create life – the chickens will come home to roost on this - yet, it’s OK to put this stuff on grocery shelves, without telling the public!

- the lack of education in growing food WITHOUT genetic tinkering, pesticides, herbicides and excessive fertilizers. Organic and poison-free food should be available in all grocery stores, at prices everyone can afford - if all these students are going to see or hear is more of the same, what is the point of all of this PR?

- - - - - -

Only the chemical and fertilizer corporations see growing food as an ‘industry’ - it is a necessary and normal process to keep ourselves alive and healthy – sharing the extra food produced with others less fortunate.

But, we need to get off the myth that BIGGER is BETTER, destroying trees, wetlands (our drinking water) and our air in the process, and feeding ourselves products which contain toxins that sicken and kill us!

People are disconnected from the land and how to use it to provide us with food. BUT, will these students be given the opportunity to see the alternatives to today’s ‘modern’ narrow-minded, bottom-line thinking?

How will my concerns listed above be met?

I await your replies.

Elaine Hughes
ARCHERWILL, SK
Oscar
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Re: (SK) PROVINCE PROCLAIMS AGRICULTURE LITERACY WEEK

Postby Oscar » Thu Mar 19, 2015 5:02 pm

From: Jones, Shelley AG
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2015 9:29 AM
To: 'Elaine Hughes'
Subject: Response for February 20, 2015 email (Date of my letter (to Ms Hein) is actually February 27, 2015)

Dear Ms. Hughes.

Thank you for your emails regarding agriculture practices in Saskatchewan.

The Canadian agriculture industry is highly regulated and, as a result, produces some of the safest food in the world. In fact, a report by the Conference Board of Canada in 2014 ranked Canada’s food safety system as first out of 17 developed countries. As you know, the registration and efficacy of crop production products is regulated by Health Canada and the industry implements best management practices and training programs, such as the Pesticide Application Course, to ensure proper use of these products.

Saskatchewan agricultural producers are proud stewards through participation in initiatives such as the Environmental Farm Plan, the National Farm Animal Council’s Code of Care for livestock production as well as conservation practices including precision farming, conservation tillage and integrated pest management.

While 97 per cent of Canadian farms are still family owned, farming families have modernized their business practices and scales to maintain their competitiveness while feeding a growing population. In order to keep pace with the growing global population, which is set to increase to nine billion by 2050, producers need to utilize modern, scientifically proven technology.

Sincerely,

Shelley Jones
Government of Saskatchewan
Manager, Agriculture Awareness
Ministry of Agriculture
226 - 3085 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4S 0B1
Bus: 306-787-4323
Fax: 306-787-9623
Oscar
Site Admin
 
Posts: 9079
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Re: (SK) PROVINCE PROCLAIMS AGRICULTURE LITERACY WEEK

Postby Oscar » Thu Mar 19, 2015 5:03 pm

From: Elaine Hughes
Sent: March-19-15 2:58 PM
To: Jones, Shelley AG; sarah.hein@gov.sk.ca
Cc: Food For All Coalition; Food Secure Canada; Food Secure Saskatchewan; SK NDP WOMEN; SK NDP Office; SNAP; SK Party Caucus; SK Green Leader - Lau, Victor; NFU
Subject: Re: Response for February 20, 2015 email

Thank you for your time, Ms Jones

Unfortunately, sadly, your reply is pretty much what I expected: same old information, same old thinking!

What’s even more discouraging is that chemical companies pay for educating our university students, most of whom will never learn anything different than this drivel or think about becoming true ‘farmers’, growing clean and healthy FOOD instead of industrial agricultural producers, pumping out whatever the markets will take for the most money . . . . regardless of how contaminated or genetically altered it might be or how it affects the soil, water, air, insects, birds, animals or humans in the process.

Elaine Hughes
ARCHERWILL, SK
Oscar
Site Admin
 
Posts: 9079
Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm


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