Yorkton-Melville will be a beehive of activity on Friday, April 11 as two very distinguished guest speakers join me for Agricultural Forum 2008.

I am honoured to host Dr. David Kohl, an internationally recognized expert in agricultural economics, and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. The forum will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. upstairs in the convention area of the Gallagher Centre at 455 Broadway Street West in Yorkton. Everyone is invited to pre-register for this free event, and seating is limited to adhere to fire regulations.

I created these annual agricultural forums nine years ago to assist with the free flow of information between the federal government and my constituents who supply Canadians with food. It is essential for me to hear what farmers and agri-food workers are thinking, and its helps farmers to get an idea of government policy and plans. Agriculture Forum 2008 is a half-day event that coincides with Yorkton’s Spring Expo that runs from April 11 to 13.

Dr. David Kohl has a sterling reputation for his expertise in agricultural economics. He has traveled more than six million miles to discuss the business of agriculture, held 5,000 seminars, written four books and published 500 articles on agriculture business and finance. We are very fortunate that he has accepted our invitation to meet with the food producers of Yorkton-Melville.

This is the fourth year in a row that we welcome the federal Minister of Agriculture as a guest speaker. The Honourable Gerry Ritz will discuss the many new programs introduced by the federal government to help farmers. He could discuss the Advance Payment Program that can provide quick cash loans for farmers going through severe economic hardship. Minister Ritz could also provide details on Growing Forward, our new policy framework; and the new business risk management programs that replace the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program; and the Canadian Wheat Board Act to introduce barley marketing freedom under Bill C-46.

There will be opportunities to ask questions and provide comments to Dr. Kohl and Minister Ritz. I believe this is an excellent chance to learn more about international economics in agriculture and agri-food, and offer opinions on how the sector should be developed.

For further information and to register for Agriculture Forum 2008, please call my constituency office locally at 306-782-3309, or from outside the region, call toll free at 1-800-667-6606. See you there!

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The audio version of Garry's March 24, 2008 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here