Help offered to Native farmers

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The province's agricultural producers have gone through more than their share of lean years lately. For many, the various government support programs have meant the difference between farm survival and bankruptcy. Although these programs are available for all producers, First Nations farmers have been less likely to take advantage of them, in large part because they've lacked the awareness and expertise to do so.

With financial support from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) recently staged several information and workshop sessions across the province to talk about current sources of agricultural funding and provide expertise on how to apply and benefit from them. The sessions were organized by FSIN agrologist Ken Bear.

"Through our initiatives here... we want to pass on information to First Nations farmers so that they can take part in all the programs offered by the federal and provincial governments. With these sessions we can get the information directly to these farmers," explained Bear.

A primary focus of the events was the Farm Family Opportunities Initiative (FFOI), which was introduced in 2002 to help Saskatchewan farmers access training and make changes on their farms. For those who qualify (families must have a net income below $30,000, and a net worth of less than $400,000), FFOI will provide up to $5,000 for improvement projects and $2,500 for education and training. However, like most other support programs, the FFOI requires that detailed financial information be collected and submitted before funding can be granted. As First Nations farmers operating on reserve lands are not required to file income tax statements, this information is often not readily available to them.

Representatives from various organizations took part in the sessions, which were put together around themes of financial management and bookkeeping. Farm Credit Canada discussed agricultural lending, Farm Consultation Services (a program of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) looked at financial projections and analysis, and the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration talked about its Green Cover program to convert arable land back to forage. Staff from the Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and Tribal Nations Management Services Ltd also shared their expertise during the information-packed events.

"There is assistance out there that First Nations farmers should find out more about. It's just a matter of creating awareness that these programs are available and having farmers contact these groups that are there to help," Bear noted.

Six meetings were held in August and early September in Saskatoon, Battleford, Meadow Lake, Yorkton, Prince Albert and Fort Qu'Appelle. Though attendance fell short of the anticipated levels, Bear is hopeful that the farmers who did turn out will help spread awareness among fellow producers.

To compliment the sessions and further spread the funding and contact information, Bear put together a brochure to mail out to his growing database of First Nations farmers. Information is also regularly distributed to band offices across the province.

Farmers who missed the information sessions can find out more about the FFOI and the many other assistance and support programs by inquiring at their local municipal or tribal offices, or by calling Bear at 665-1215.