The Mountain View County Agricultural Service Board has come out in support of the Agricultural Youth Engagement Foundation's efforts to encourage young people to pursue careers in agriculture.
Founded in Eagle Hill, the foundation was established in 2012 to “engage and support youth age 14 – 21 in the agriculture industry by providing opportunities to learning, involvement and mentorship”, board members heard.
During last week's agricultural service board meeting, Ellen Hondl, founder and president of the foundation, spoke to board members about the organization's goals and plans.
“We believe the engagement and support of youth as well as their education is critical in encouraging them to remain active in agriculture,” she said. “Teaching youth the skills they need to become better managers will aid not only them but the industry as a whole.”
The foundation encourages participation from all industry stakeholders, she said.
“We exist as a complement to great organizations such as 4-H and Green Certificate to enhance the overall experience of youth,” she said.
She explained that the foundation's annual farm training day is a big part of efforts to encourage youth involvement in agriculture.
The 2013 training day, which runs in Red Deer on June 8, will include “instruction on basic marketing, as well as providing sessions on the consumer, the value chain and ways that technology and improved genetics can help improve those areas.”
“Participants will have the opportunity to learn about assets/liabilities, profit/loss, and the difference between revenue and expenses and how all of them relate to the success of an operation,” she said.
“They will also have the opportunity to hear from speakers such as Brenda Schoepp, and visit with participants and volunteers from as far away as Africa, providing a global component.”
Darlene Hondl, foundation director and Ellen's mother, said the annual farm training day is a great way for young people to interact and learn about the agriculture industry.
Mountain View County councillor Kevin Good, who is a member of the agricultural service board, put forward a motion calling on council to approve a $1,500 donation to the foundation.
“The agricultural way of life is priority number 1 in this county and that's what people want to preserve in this county,” said Good. “This is one way that we can help make sure that we can do that.”
The motion passed unanimously. The funds would come out of the county's agriculture reserve account.
MVC councillor Al Kemmere told the board the foundation's work is very worthwhile in promoting the long-term success of agriculture in the region.
There are 70 agricultural service boards in the province, each promoting farming and ranching in their respective rural communities.
