Transcript Saskatchewan Organic Sector Training Needs Assessment

Saskatchewan Organic Sector
Training Needs Assessment
Background on the Study
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Study period February to June, 2006.
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Conducted by Sage Management Services, overseen
by steering committee, funded by Saskatchewan
Learning.
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Producers participated in surveys and focus groups.
Discussions and surveys took place with Stakeholder
Group.
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Extensive internet and Web based research, Review
of relevant studies and reports.
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Feasibility study of Prairie Ursuline Centre
Saskatchewan Organic Sector
Training Needs Assessment Included
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Environmental Scan
Training Needs Assessment
Consultations
Review of Educational Models, Program and
Curriculum
Feasibility Study Prairie Ursuline Centre
Recommendations
Environmental Scan
Organic Food Production
Environmental Scan
Global Consumers
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Global organic food and drink
market US $23 billion in 2002.
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Distribution
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51% North America
46% Western Europe
3% other areas
Typically
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Lives in urban area
Considers quality, origin,
production methods
Well educated, middle to high
income household
Environmental Scan
Profile of a Canadian Organic Consumer
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60% are female
Under represented in the
$60 to $80 K
More likely to be form British
Columbia
Less likely to be from
Saskatchewan (7%) or
Alberta (12%)
More likely to be 25 -34 yrs
of age versus the over 55
age group
Environmental Scan
Education and Training
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Few ‘formal’ educational opportunities exist.
Strong models to follow in European countries
Member and Stakeholder groups provide support
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada providing support
Survey
Farm Information
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89% of those surveyed are Certified Organic, 4% in
transition.
95% produce grain, 22% Livestock, 15% Fruit &
Vegetables.
86% dedicated 76 to 100% of farm production to
Organics.
Survey
Producer Skill Level
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Organic Production
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52% Experienced
34% Intermediate
8% Beginner
6% Expert
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Organic Product
Marketing
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36% Intermediate
29% Beginner
28% Experienced
3 % Expert
4% Don’t Know
Survey
Communication and
Gathering Knowledge
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Telephone preferred tool, for communicating
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78% have computer
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42% have dial up, 11% high speed
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15% use computer for marketing and research
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89% learn from other Organic Growers
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82% from books, 70% workshops, 62%conferences, 60% trials
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Producers prefer a regional, rural setting for training programs
over major cities or online.
Survey
Areas of Training Need
Survey
Organic Certifications & Regulations
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73% rate Organic Certification Extremely Important
64% rate Environmental Farm Plans Important
30% rate On Farm Food Safety Extremely Important, 30%
Important
33% rate Foreign Certifications Extremely Important, 33%
Important
54% rate Canadian Standards & Regulations, Extremely
Important, 30% Important
Survey
Organic Certifications & Regulations
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93% have Organic Certification in place
55% have Environmental Farm Plans in place
25% have On Farm Food Safety in place
63% have Foreign Certifications or plan to have in
place
Survey
Education Costs
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Tuition
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43% of producers felt
Tuition was of little to no
concern
46% would pay between
$50.00 & $100.00 per
course
Accommodations
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54% of producers felt
accommodations were of
little to no concern
40% would pay between
$35.00 & $50.00 per night
Loss of Farm Labour
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49% said 1 day loss of labour
was no more than a small
concern
63% said 1 week loss of labour
was a concern or would have a
serious impact
Producers would pay
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25% pay $50 - $75/day
27% pay $100 -$125/day
13% pay $100-$200/week
12% pay $300/week
24% pay $500/week
Survey
Customers & Sales
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Only 27% of organic producers market direct
to consumers
68% of those do so at the Farm Gate
16% at Farmers Markets
11% at a Retail Outlet
Survey
Prairie Ursuline Centre (PUC)
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53% Surveyed were familiar with PUC.
49% on average felt it met expectations
Start up costs approx. $800,000
Considerable risks associated
with ownership of the facility
Need for a common vision of an
Organic Learning Centre
Other Consultations
Focus Group Sessions
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Successes of Sector
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Positive environmental
impact
Higher nutritional value
of food
Preventing entrance of
GMO wheat into Canada
Export market
development
Organic farming viable
for next generation
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Sector Needs
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Financial support for
conversion
Common Vision
National Standards &
Regulations
Training and Resources
Research and
Development
Functioning Value
Chains
Other Consultations
Certifiers view of Producer Needs
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Classify producers new &
experienced as needs vary
significantly
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Transitioning is intense
process requiring support
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Feel mentorship program
would be very valuable
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Not certain of the need for
an Organic Learning Centre
but a Sask focus to research
and resources is needed.
Research Findings
Educational Models & Opportunities
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Lack of Credit Studies available in Sask.
University of Guelph have only degree in Canada.
Certificates available in other Provinces.
Certificate in Ag Program (CAP) at U.of S. a good
model to use for Organic Certificate
Seminars and conferences highly utilized by organic
producers
Good models exist from which to build Formal
Apprentice and Mentoring programs
Research Findings
Dedicated Organic Learning Centre
The Falls Brook Centre, NB
Research Findings
Program & Curriculum Development
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Certificate Program
Easy to begin with, cost
effective
Computer mediated and
regional delivery lends to
self directed learning style of
many producers
May ease certification
difficulties
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Degree
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Would benefit the sector
with valuable research
papers
Develops highly
educated organic
professionals to provide
expertise
May interest new
entrants to the College
of Ag & Bio - Resources
Recommendations
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Develop a Provincial Organic Strategy (1)
Develop Organic Promotion Plan that focuses on Consumer
Awareness of health, environment and social benefits of buying
organic. (2,5,6,8)
Study mission to Europe, Cuba and other countries, review
actions that support the growth and development of the organic
sector. (3)
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Ensure lenders are knowledgeable of organic production and
marketing systems.(4)
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Conduct research to support nutritional and health claims on
organic products. (7)
Seek membership with Agriculture in the Classroom program.(9)
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Recommendations
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Universities and Colleges form a consortium to develop
curricula in Organic Agriculture/Ecological Agriculture (10)
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Study new & potential students entering College of
Agriculture& Bio Resources, U of S, on the potential of an
Organic major. (11)
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Provide Organic Producers with educational resources
including an updated & enhanced Organic Production Manual
and a library of reference material. (12, 13)
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Make application to Advancing Canadian Agriculture and AgriFood Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) for financial assistance. (14)
Recommendations
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Develop a formalized mentorship program that includes support
and resource material for the acting mentors (16)
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Develop an ‘Organic Leaders Program’ in conjunction with
Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI) (17)
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Pursue eligibility of the Organic Certification process as an
approved Learning Activity under the CASS program. (18)
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Work with the First Nations Agriculture Council of
Saskatchewan (FNACS) on co-beneficial programs.(19)
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Develop a common vision for an Organic Learning Centre
conduct feasibility and develop business plan. (20)
Wrap up and planning session
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What comes next?
Release the report via website.
Prioritize the Recommendations
Develop a Plan of Action from the Study.
Provide general membership
with follow up information.
Thank you