Click to start the Search
Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions
SAASE Logo. Click here to return on Home page

SAASE...make a difference

Our Vision - Our Services - Contact Info

OUR VISION

Agricultural Societies are non-political, grass-roots organizations, whose primary objective is to promote the improvement of agriculture and improve the quality of life in their communities by:

  • Providing an extension service to Saskatchewan producers in conjunction with the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, and Agri-business
  • Playing an educational role for the benefit of its members and the community at large
  • Providing an interface between rural and urban residents of the community. Improving the knowledge level of urban residents related to the role and importance of agriculture
  • Providing a community forum for discussion of agricultural issues
  • Promoting social interaction within the community by the sponsorship of educational and entertainment activities
  • Acting as a catalyst for community development and community spirit
  • Assisting in the development of market opportunities for Saskatchewan products
  • Providing an opportunity for the comparison of Saskatchewan produce, products, crafts and skills through competition
  • Providing leadership development opportunities
  • Encouraging the conservation of natural resources
  • Providing facilities for community use
  • Providing a source of historical information on community development and promoting a sense of pride in the community's heritage

Back to top

OUR SERVICES

Marketing Campaign
A series of media ads promoting Saskatchewan fairs, which run province-wide throughout the summer months. The ads are intended to raise awareness of agricultural societies and exhibitions and to encourage attendance at Saskatchewan fairs.

Getting the Message Out - 152 Ways to Provide Effective Agricultural Awareness
SAASE has developed and distributed a resource manual to assist SAASE members in development and delivery of effective agricultural awareness activities.

Saskatchewan Fairs Video
SAASE has produced a feature video promoting Saskatchewan Agricultural Fairs. The video is available for free loan by any agricultural society. A shorter trade-show version is also available.

Saskatchewan Agricultural Societies Program (SASP)
SAASE, under an agreement with Saskatchewan Municipal Government, administers a program of financial contribution in support of agricultural programming undertaken by SAASE members. Eligible programs must address one or more of the program objectives of support to rural living, community development and agricultural awareness. Expenses may be eligible for 50% funding, with maximums and prorated within available funds.

Venture Projects
This program supports new and unproven projects which meet the objectives of SASP but which go beyond the traditional programming generally undertaken by agricultural societies. Projects may be eligible for more than 50% funding.

SAASE Newsletter
Each member society receives multiple copies of the SAASE Newsletter printed quarterly. Members are welcome to contribute stories about the activities of their society or articles of opinion to the newsletter. Manuscripts should must be received by the fifteenth day of February, May, August and November. Circulation of the newsletter includes MLA's and MP's, fair judges, SK Weekly Newspapers and other interested parties.

Fair Judge Program
A multi-faceted program of support to fairs seeking qualified judges and to judges seeking to develop their skills.

- Judges List
SAASE compiles a list of individuals who have indicated an interest in judging at fairs and exhibitions. This list is developed from names provided by SAASE member societies, former judges and from registration lists at judges training workshops and is available from SAASE Office.

- Judges Training Workshops - Workshop Planning Guide
Judges training workshop and the development of suitable resource materials is only the first part of a much larger project to provide training opportunities for judges, convenors and exhibitors at fairs and exhibitions. Workshops have been developed in the areas of domestic arts and grains and grasses.

- Judges Training - Apprenticeship Opportunity
SAASE is working with individuals and organizations to identify candidates and to develop and deliver apprenticeship opportunities for judges. The Apprentice Judge - Cattle Project addresses this need in one sector of the industry.

- Judges Training - Workshop Instructors
SAASE can assist society to obtain the services of qualified workshop instructors.

- Judges Training - Resource Materials For Participants
Resource materials have been developed in the areas of domestic exhibits, grains and grasses. They are provided at no cost to training workshops and for use at grain shows.

A Manual for Agricultural Societies in Saskatchewan
Multiple copies of this handbook are in the hands of each member society to be used as a reference for organization and activities of agricultural societies.

Honorary Life Membership Program - Provincial and Local
SAASE is presently providing two Honorary Life Membership programs.
The provincial program recognizes worthy candidates for their contribution to agricultural societies in the province. These awards are made provincially from nominations submitted by member agricultural societies.
The local program allows individual societies to award one of their volunteers with an honorary life membership. SAASE provides the certificate suitable for lettering and the information is added by the society.

Annual Convention and Other Meetings
SAASE co-ordinates and facilitates an annual convention as well as district and other meetings as a forum for the exchange of information and ideas.

Lobby
Through the diligent efforts of directors and other members, agricultural societies and exhibitions have achieved a level of credibility and respect. SAASE provides lobby strength as an organization representing all active agricultural societies in the province.

Access to Professional and Industry Expertise
Through the network supported by SAASE and the diversity of interest and ability represented by societies' activities, it is possible to access almost any type of experience or expertise within the framework of SAASE.

Liaise with University of Saskatchewan and Government Departments
As the members of SAASE, agricultural societies and exhibition associations have direct contact with representatives of University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Liaise with Other Organizations
In so far as time and finances permit, SAASE maintains contact with as many other non-political, rural based and agriculture related organizations as possible and seeks to make these organizations aware of the presence of and the benefits of working with agricultural societies within Saskatchewan communities.
Organizations, with which SAASE maintains significant contact, include:

- Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions
- Agriculture in the Classroom, Saskatchewan
- Foundation for Animal Care, Saskatchewan (Farm Animal Council )
- International Association of Fairs and Exhibitions
- Agricultural Hall of Fame, Saskatchewan
- Alliance Farm Health and Safety, Saskatchewan
- 4-H, Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan Tourism Authority
- Saskatchewan Women's Institutes
- University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture Advisory Council

CAFE Membership
As SAASE members, agricultural societies have affiliation with Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE) under the umbrella of the provincial association. Membership in CAFE entitles agricultural societies and exhibitions to the access to the Fair Insurance program and other programs specific to the fair industry.

SAASE Office
Office is staffed for the benefit and convenience of its members. The office is conveniently located in the Canada Centre Building at Regina Exhibition Park.

Back to top

CONTACT INFO

Glen Duck
Executive Director
P.O.Box 31025
Regina, SK S4R 8R6
Phone: (306) 565-2121
Fax: (306) 565-2079
gduck@sasktel.net

Back to top

 

 

 









Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions