I Might Be Interested in Serving on SaskCanola’s Board – How Do I Join?

February 13, 2023 – SaskCanola was established in 1991 as a grower-led organization to develop the canola industry in Saskatchewan. It is fully funded through a levy on canola grown and sold in the province – to invest in research, market development and advocacy activities.

Since 1991, we have always focused on the ‘grower-led’ aspect of our mandate. Farmers, who produce canola and volunteer to serve on our Board of Directors, are the ones who have led to the unprecedented success of our organization and our entire canola industry.

What does it take to be a board member?

Number one, it is very important for those interested in becoming a SaskCanola board member to be passionate about driving the future success of our canola industry. It is also important that individuals are canola growers actively involved in a farming operation.

SaskCanola is responsible for the administration of farmers’ money – collected as levies – and the association is regulated under the Agri-Food Act, which includes the Canola Development Plan Regulations.

The Regulations require that individuals qualify as registered canola producers in order to serve on SaskCanola’s Board. A registered producer is defined in the regulations as someone who has sold canola in the previous two years, paid a levy and not requested a refund.

Every two years registered canola producers can submit their names to SaskCanola, during the nomination period, as candidates. Once candidates are confirmed as eligible, their names are announced and all eligible canola producers vote in an election.

If you think you’re interested, but you’re concerned about the time commitment, it would be a great idea to reach out to a current board member to determine whether it would work for you. Commitments include five meetings a year, including our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and a few conference calls. If you have the time, you may also be appointed to national or provincial boards, which may require some additional time.

If you’re worried about having the necessary skills and background, join us at our Learn To Lead event, scheduled for March 23 and 24, 2023 in Saskatoon. Learn to Lead is a professional development workshop for Saskatchewan growers to gain the skills needed to be leaders in our provincial and national agriculture industry. Learn to Lead sponsors include SaskBarley, SaskOats, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and SaskWheat.

If you’re interested in serving on SaskCanola’s Board of Directors in the future, and you have questions about eligibility, please contact our office at info@saskcanola.com or phone (306) 975-0262.