Stock Growers 107th AGM goes virtual

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association will hold its 107th Annual General Meeting online on October 14.

“We had been hoping to meet in-person,” said SSGA president Bill Huber. “We held off as long as we could before deciding to hold the meeting online, but the pandemic situation is still uncertain. People have to make plans, so we had to make a decision.”

The AGM is required under the SSGA bylaws, and is an important opportunity to put forward resolutions coming from members through their Zone meetings. Resolutions will often identify an issue of concern to producers and direct the SSGA’s lobbying efforts.

This year, members will vote on calling the SSGA to lobby the federal government over its decision to cancel the registration of strychnine for controlling Richardson’s Ground Squirrel populations; and to oppose the use of the term “meat” to describe plant-based food products.

The deadline for submitting resolutions and nominations is October 1.

Board elections are also conducted at the AGM. Seven Director-At-Large two-year terms are expiring, and elections will be held for six positions.

The AGM is scheduled for 1:30 to 3:30 pm on Wednesday, October 14. In addition to conducting SSGA business, registrants will hear greetings from Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit and an update from the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.

The inaugural general meeting of the new Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation will take place in conjunction with the SSGA AGM. The foundation is a registered charity whose goals include conserving agricultural lands, advancing education, to relieving poverty, and to assisting victims of disasters.

Huber said that while a virtual meeting was the SSGA’s second-best option, it’s
important that the association conduct its business.

“Our members’ safety was our main concern in going virtual,” Huber said. “We also have to think of our responsibilities to the community at large. We’ll do what’s necessary, and we’ll look ahead to our usual AGM and Convention next year.”

The planning process for the 108th AGM, to be held in Assiniboia in 2021, is already underway.

Registration for this year’s virtual meeting is now open on the SSGA website. The agenda and other details are also posted on the website.