Program - agrivision.usask.ca - University of Saskatchewan

Re-Inventing
Agriculture
“Best Practices of Leading Farmers”
CONFERENCE
PROGRAM

November 21, 2002
Greetings
The Saskatoon and District Chamber of Commerce has hosted an annual Agribusiness Fall Conference since 1996,
originally under the title “Vision 2020”. There have been a range of themes over the years, but all have focused on
some aspect of value-added processing. Western Economic Diversification (WD) has been a partner in every
conference, which we appreciate very much. WD has been particularly supportive of bringing in leading
international speakers.
For example, the 1998 “Vision 2020” Conference featured keynote speakers from The Netherlands who described
the process of “re-inventing” their agricultural industry in the mid-1980’s. They shared their planning process and
the successful steps taken to adapt from primary production to value-added processing. We were particularly
impressed with the role of farmers and farmer owned co-operatives in the ownership of the value-added enterprises
throughout The Netherlands.
The result of the 1998 Conference was a “Saskatchewan Agribusiness Task Force”, which worked for the first six
months of 1999 to determine strategies on how Saskatchewan could “re-invent” our agriculture. The result was the
formation of Saskatchewan Agrivision Corporation in July 1999, a coalition of farm, rural and business leaders with
a five-year mandate to create a vision and remove barriers to enabling producers to move up the value-chain and
capture more of the consumer dollar.
More recent conferences have featured local success stories and a speaker from New Zealand with the theme
“Farming Without Subsidies”. The Conference titles have shifted to “Re-Inventing Agriculture” and this year’s focus is
on the “Best Practice of Leading Farmers”. Why Because our contacts with successful producers brought us to
understand that these people do not operate in a vacuum, but rather have developed networks to learn from others
and transfer best practices to their own operation. We want to replicate this idea more broadly because it works!
This year we have tapped into identifying the best practices of leading farmers in Australia by featuring one of their
advocates. It is self evident that Saskatchewan farmers are among the very best dry-land producers in the world.
This reputation has been built on continued innovation and will only be maintained through capturing each new
wave of farmer initiatives from around the world.
The Chamber and SAC Inc. have been joined this year by Saskatoon Prairieland Exhibition Corporation whose
facilities and expertise have been added to “Re-Inventing Agriculture” to better serve the Saskatchewan farming
and agribusiness sectors.
Kent Smith-Windsor Donna Bohrson C.M. (Red) Williams
Saskatoon & District Saskatoon Prairieland Saskatchewan Agrivision
Chamber of Commerce Exhibition Corporation Corporation Inc.

Community Leadership Excellence Award – 2002
Saskatoon & District Chamber of Commerce
The communities of Air Ronge, La Ronge and Lac La Ronge Indian Band are the joint recipients of
the Saskatoon & District Chamber of Commerce “Community Leadership Excellence Award” for 2002
sponsored by Saskatchewan Industry & Resources. This annual award recognizes communities
that have demonstrated leadership, vision and action in terms of business development, community
renewal and economic growth.
One of the keys to economic revitalization in rural areas is the ability to redefine community more
regionally. These three communities have a track record of taking innovative regional approaches
to successfully meeting the economic and social needs of northern communities and are a model for
other communities in the prairie region. This includes promoting and supporting business
development in mining, forestry, transportation, and the hospitality and service industries.
The business community of Saskatoon and Saskatchewan Industry & Resources salute your vision,
leadership and “can do” attitude. We look forward to working closely with you as partners in
building a strong and prosperous future for all our citizens.
Agribusiness Leadership Award - 2002
Saskatoon & District Chamber of Commerce
Box 314
Naicam, SK S0K 2Z0
Tel: 306-874-2006
Fax: 306-874-2819
Email: g.dauk@sk.sympatico.ca
Germain Dauk, a distinguished leading farmer from Naicam, is the 2002 recipient of the Saskatoon
& District Chamber of Commerce “Agribusiness Leadership Award” sponsored by Bayer CropScience.
This annual award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated leadership, vision and action,
which has shaped the development and expansion of agri-value and agribusiness across
Saskatchewan.
Germain grew up on a farm in Annaheim, Saskatchewan, received a BSc (Chem) and BEd from the
University of Saskatchewan, played football with the UofS Huskies and Saskatchewan Rough Riders,
and taught high school in Naicam for twenty years before turning his hand to farming. He started
with 1,000 acres in 1984 and today farms 4,700 with his two sons, Richard and Ryan.
Germain says he always had the urge to farm and when the opportunity came to farm with his
father-in-law’s land, he took the plunge. “I had lots of ideas but also so much to learn,” recalls
Germain, “So I joined every farm organization I could to learn as much as I could as fast as
possible.”
Germain’s natural leadership abilities quickly placed him in executive positions where he has made a
major contribution to the agribusiness sector. As well as industry support, Germain has been a pillar
in his local community actively participating in a range of recreation, sports and community service
clubs including the board of the local credit union.
The Saskatoon & District Chamber of Commerce is honoured to add Germain Dauk to the list of
previous Award recipients of the “Agribusiness Leadership Award”, which include John Cross,
President & Chairman, Philom Bios (1998); John Schaw, President & CEO, Fytokem Products Inc.
(1999); Florian Possberg, CEO, Big Sky Farms Inc. (2000); and Brad Wildeman, General Manager,
Pound-Maker Agventures Ltd (2001).
Thanks to Bayer CropScience for their partnership supporting a strong team of leaders committed to
strengthening a strong, viable and sustainable agri-value sector.

Linden Valley Organics
Box 1270
Kamsack, SK S0A 1S0
Tel: 306-542-4472
Fax: 306-542-2587
Email: audrey.horkoff@sasktel.net
Audrey Horkoff
“Turning Organic - How Do You Do It”
Audrey and her husband farm at Kamsack in east central Saskatchewan. At the present time, they farm over
2000 acres of organic grains and oilseeds – a transition which began in 1997. They also have had purebred
polled Charolais cattle since 1971. “We knew we had to make significant changes to survive and thrive in
today’s agriculture industry” says Audrey. “Change is not easy but it sure beats the alternative!”
Since they made the transition into organic production, they have been actively involved in their local chapter
as well as at the provincial level. Organic farming has evolved quickly in the province in the recent years.
Audrey believes strongly in the province and its potential. Over the years, Audrey has been involved with
many agricultural organizations, particularly those relating to the livestock industry. Most recently, Audrey is
the co-chair of the Action Committee on the Rural Economy, a ten-year member of the Farm Support Review
Committee with Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization, represents her area on the Regional
Health Board, is President of the Kamsack Credit Union and continues to work with the Canadian Western
Agribition as its past President.
Audrey and her husband have five grown children, one of which is involved in organic farming. They also
have nine grandchildren.
Rob Napier
“Best Practices of Leading Farmers”
Rob Napier is Director of Napier Agrifutures, a firm specializing in strategic planning for agriculture,
agribusiness and family farming businesses. He studies global changes in agriculture with particular emphasis
on the future of family farms. He has travelled widely and developed family farming case studies in the USA,
Canada, UK, France, Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Napier Agrifutures
“Kyalla Park”
Forbes Road
Orange NSW 2800
Australia
Tel: 0263603993
0263626946
Fax: 0263617492
Email: robnapier@bigfoot.com
He works with groups of leading farmers in Australia and overseas helping them to seize the opportunities
from global changes in agriculture. He currently chairs an expert committee advising the Tasmanian
Government on policy development for the management of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In
November, 2000 he travelled to the USA to facilitate a strategic plan for the Westchester Group, Champaign,
Illinois which has $US400 million under management in US agriculture. He regularly addresses international
audiences on the management of change in agriculture and agribusiness. In 2001 he addressed conferences
of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and Agricore grain pool in Canada and was a keynote speaker at the
Canadian Farm Business Management Council national conference in Quebec, Canada.
He was Principal of Orange Agricultural College, The University of Sydney for fifteen years, then Pro Vice-
Chancellor (Planning) at the University of New England followed by Associate Professor in Farm Management
at Orange Agricultural College. Rob is Vice President of the International Farm Management Association.
Rob has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from the University of Tasmania, a Diploma in Agricultural Studies
from Cambridge University and a Master of Economics from the University of New England. He has
participated in two executive training courses at Harvard University.
Rob was brought up on his family’s farm in Tasmania, Australia.

John S. Butler
“Getting A Premium Price Through a Branded Beef Program”
June 1, 1998 John became the CEO for Ranchers Renaissance, a unique, cattle-marketing cooperative.
Ranchers Renaissance is a vertically integrated marketing cooperative which allows its members to focus on
efficiently producing high-quality, consistent beef products. The cooperative has effectively aligned each
segment of the beef value chain including ranches, feed yards, a packer/processor, and an end user.
Ranchers Renaissance
19201 E. Main Street,
Suite 104
Parker, CO 80134
Tel: 303-662-1945
Fax: 303-662-1948
Email: ranchersr@aol.com
Prior to accepting the position with Ranchers Renaissance, John was Vice-President for the Center of
Association Services for the National Cattlemens Beef Association in Denver, Colorado. John served as Vice-
President of Marketing for the National Cattlemens Association (NCA) from 1988 to 1996 prior to NCA
merging with the National Livestock and Meat Board and becoming NCBA.
John is a graduate of the University of Arizona with undergraduate degrees in Animal Science and Ag
Business. John, his wife Sandy, and two children, Erin and Brooks, live in Centennial, Colorado.
Peter and Shirley Voldeng
“Marketing Up The Value-Chain”
Fairway Farms
Box 640
Naicam, SK S0K 2Z0
Tel: 306-874-2244
Fax: 306-874-5565
Email:
fairwayfarms@sk.sympatico.ca
Peter and Shirley Voldeng are the management team behind Fairway Farms Ltd, a 1600 sow family hog
operation at Naicam, Saskatchewan. A recent expansion added 30,000 square feet of barn space that will
produce 15,000 weanlings per year. Twenty thousand animals are marketed annually as finisher pigs. The
farm employs thirteen full time staff. Peter is the General Manager and Shirley leads the in-barn production
management team.
The Voldengs have been successful in moving up the value-chain through a series of alliances. This marketing
approach connects them to the retailer, stabilizes price fluctuations and locks in profits.
Both are from a farm background and both are graduates of the University of Saskatchewan College of
Engineering, Peter and Shirley left their engineering careers in 1993 to return to the Voldeng family farm at
Naicam. They became fully involved in the farm while developing plans for the future. Fairway Farms,
constructed in 1995 and 1996, was the result of many hours spent researching equipment, breeding
companies, barn designs, environmental issues, and production cycles. The financial commitment and time
involvement of Peter and Shirley, as well as Peter’s family, was vital to the whole project.
One of Peter and Shirley’s main goals is to provide opportunities for their three children: Addison (8), Scott
(6), and Sarah (3). Leading a full and enjoyable lifestyle means they also make time for community and
organizational involvement in a wide range of activities. Peter is involved with pork policy and lobbying
groups, a local marketing club, and the local drama group, and still finds time to enjoy gardening and
making balloon animals. Shirley is on the local school board, coaches childrens sports, is involved with the
local drama group, and enjoys scrapbooking, reading and calligraphy.
Peter and Shirley are the Saskatchewan recipients of the 2002 “Outstanding Young Farmers” Award and will
represent our province in a national competition in Quebec. They sum up their business philosophy as a
balance between the interests of family, employees, profits and pigs.

Kevin & Melanie Boldt
“Direct Marketing to the Consumer”
In 1998, Kevin and Melanie Boldt realized the need to further diversify or expand their existing grain and
cattle operation. What started as a search for more land ended with the purchase of a nearby farmyard
equipped with a small poultry butcher shop and barns.
Pine View Farms
Box 372
Osler, SK S0K 3A0
Tel: 306-239-4763
Fax: 306-239-2138
Email: sales@pineviewfarms.com
Poultry processing began as a sideline to grain farming but has now become a mainline for Kevin and
Melanie. In addition to farm gate sales, business has grown to include provincial distribution in health food
stores, select butcher shops, restaurants and Co-op Food stores. The product line has expanded to include All
Natural poultry, beef, lamb, pork and various value-added meat products.
Kevin obtained his Diploma in Agriculture in 1989 and his Certificate in Business Administration in 1996 from
the University of Saskatchewan. Melanie graduated from the U of S in 1992 with a Bachelor of Commerce in
Marketing. She also obtained her Professional Agrologist designation in 1998. Both have worked off-farm in
agribusiness but now make food production and marketing their full time occupation.
Morley and Patti Sparrow
“Workable Multi-Family Business Units”
Morley and Patti Sparrow are business partners in the multi-family farm of A. Sparrow Farms Ltd. together
with Morley’s father and two brothers. The farm business operates a mixed cattle and grain farm at Vanscoy,
Sask., 20 minutes southwest of Saskatoon. They raise purebred Charolais cattle, have a commercial cow/calf
herd, small feedlot and a grain enterprise producing pulses, oilseeds and cereal crops.
A. Sparrow Farms
Box 256
Vanscoy, SK S0L 3S0
Tel: 306-668-4508
Fax: 306-242-9014
Email: info@sparrowfarms.com
The farm operates as business units with Morley and Patti managing the grain aspect of the farm and
Morley’s brothers managing the commercial and purebred livestock operations. “There is synergy in
combining our talents and energies,” says Morley. The Sparrows are examples of how multi-family farm
business units can operate successfully.
Sandra and Ken Purdy
“From Farmer to Food Processor – Our Story”
Prairie Berries
Box 21
Keeler, SK S0H 2E0
Tel: 306-788-2018
Fax: 306-788-4811
Email:
prairieberries@sk.sympatico.ca
Sandra Purdy and her husband Ken started their 10 acre orchard in 1993 as a diversification project for the
farming operation and with the hopes this venture would allow Sandra to stay on the farm rather than
driving the 250 km round trip to Regina for employment.
Much of Prairie Berries’ success is attributed to the expertise the owners bring to the farming venture. Ken
Purdy’s agricultural background is extremely useful in the orchard management and the coordination of pre
and post harvest activities of the Saskatoon berries. His mechanical expertise has gone a long way to saving
costs in the business. Sandra on the other hand brings to the business her expertise in strategic planning,
project management and sales skills. Her good fortune in having the depth of her business skills is attributed
to her 25 year experience with SaskTel. During her career with SaskTel she was a trained performance
management consultant, a business improvement process facilitator and an Account Executive managing over
21 million dollars in sales revenue.
Sandra and Ken’s enthusiasm for the Saskatoon berry industry can be seen in their commitment to help build
the awareness of the industry and encourage new growers to consider fruit growing as an alternative crop to
their farming operation.

This conference was made possible
through the partnership and support
of the following sponsors:
Federation
of
Saskatchewan
Indian
Nations
*Food product photos compliments of Saskatchewan Food Processors Association
Thank you for attending.

Agenda
Re-Inventing Agriculture: Best Practices of Leading Farmers
Thursday, November 21, 2002
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
7:30 - 8:30 am Registration and Continental Breakfast in Display area
8:30 - 8:45 am Call to Order and Opening Comments:
Chairs: Al Scholz & C.M. (Red) Williams
Opening Comments: Terry Gibson, Western Economic Diversification
8:45 - 10:00 am Morning Keynote Address: Rob Napier, Napier Agrifutures, Australia
“Best Practices of Leading Farmers” - Sponsored by AIMS
* Question & Answer
10:00 - 10:30 am Networking Break - Sponsored by, FSIN/Lafond Financial,
CIBC & University of Saskatchewan
10:30 - 11:45 am Leading Farmers, “Best Practices”
• Audrey Horkoff, Linden Valley Organics, Kamsack, SK
“Turning Organic - How do you do it”
• Peter & Shirley Voldeng - Fairway Farms Ltd., Naicam, SK
“Marketing up the Value Chain”
11:45 - 1:30 pm Lunch Break
“Made in Saskatchewan” Lunch
Award Presentations:
Chair - Kent Smith-Windsor
* “Community Leadership Excellence” Award sponsored by Saskatchewan Industry & Resources
* “Agribusiness Leadership” Award sponsored by Bayer CropScience
Luncheon Speaker: Hon. Clay Serby, Minister
Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization
1:30 - 3:00 pm Leading Farmers, “Best Practices”
• Morley & Patti Sparrow - A. Sparrow Farms, Vanscoy, SK
“Workable Multi-Family Business Units”
• Sandra Purdy - Prairie Berries, Keeler, SK
“From Farmer to Food Processor - Our Story”
• Kevin & Melanie Boldt - Pine View Farms, Osler, SK
“Direct Marketing to the Consumer”
3:00 - 3:30 pm Networking Break - Sponsored by Western Beef Development Centre and
Farm Credit Canada
3:30 - 4:45 pm Afternoon Keynote Address:
John Butler, President & CEO - Ranchers Renaissance, Colorado
“Getting a Premium Price Through a Branded Beef Program”
* Question & Answer
4:45 - 5:00 pm Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks
C.M. (Red) Williams, President - SAC Inc.
Neil Ketilson, General Manager, Sask Pork
5:00 - 6:00 pm Wine & Cheese
Sponsored by: Sask Pork
The Saskatchewan Agrivision Corporation Inc.
502 - 45th Street West, Second Floor
Saskatoon, SK S7L 6H2
For more information call SAC Inc. at 306-384-4491 or fax 306-244-4497