SSGA launches unique charitable foundation

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association launched the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation at its Semi-annual Meeting held in Saskatoon. The SSGF is affiliated with the SSGA, the oldest operating agricultural organization in Saskatchewan and a trusted voice in agriculture in the province.

“We are pleased to be able to launch the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation today,” stated SSGA President Bill Huber. “We’ve been working on developing a charitable foundation and land trust for several years and we’re happy to see it come to fruition.”

The goals of the Foundation are to conserve agricultural lands, to advance education, to relieve poverty and to assist victims of disasters. The SSGF will fill a growing need in the ranching community for voluntary, private-sector options for agricultural land conservation.

The SSGF is unique because it is the first and only provincial agricultural land conservation organization based in Saskatchewan and is the first to offer term conservation easements. It also has a specific focus on conserving agricultural lands.

The Foundation became a federally registered charitable organization in December 2019. The SSGF is operated by a board of directors led by interim Chair Ray Mcdougald. The board consists of eight directors who are primarily current or former agricultural producers with a personal understanding of agricultural and community issues as well as two academics bringing their research expertise to decision-making.

“I look forward to working with the Foundation’s board to conserve our remaining working agricultural landscapes and to help address poverty in Saskatchewan” Mcdougald stated.

For further information about the SSGF or to make a donation, contact the office at (306) 757-8523.