1 Indian Head Research Farm, Box 760, Indian Head, SK, S0G 2K0
2 Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, Extension Research Unit, College of Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Dr., Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8
3 Scott Research farm, P.O. Box 10, Scott, SK, S0K 4A0
Saskatchewan covers a diverse geographic area with six distinct eco-regions, four major soil zones, and several different climatic areas. The research/extension needs of this land area, and to the resident people, are correspondingly diverse and complex. One of the most commonly expressed concern(s) of producers with regards to research is: "Do the results apply to my area or farm?" In many instances they do but in others, especially when it comes to adaptation such as new varieties or new crops, we need results that are more regional/local in nature. The concept of research in your own backyard also implies more ownership and involvement by the producers. This approach allows producers to work much more closely with researchers in order to better understand the steps involved in developing research ideas and studies. This approach provides a forum for awareness of what research has been done and what is available in terms of information. The more producers get involved in the process of research, the more effective the research will be because of the greater likelihood of addressing the real needs. The "Spoke" concept is a new approach to cooperative and public good research. It allows for the verification and validation of new and emerging production technologies. It provides a mechanism for the extensive evaluation of such technologies over some or all of the major agro-ecological zones of the province. It also allows for the establishment of benchmark studies. The new Spoke Program will build on this approach and focus on technology transfer, public and producer awareness, and applied research to support technology transfer.
The Spoke Program is a component of the Specialized Crop area, one of eight areas under the Canada - Saskatchewan Agri-Food Innovation Fund. The objective of the Spoke program is to establish regional applied research sites and to find solutions to agronomic and crop protection problems and to demonstrate dryland and irrigated specialized crop production technologies to local producers. The current Spoke program was started on April 1st, 1997 and will terminate on March 31st, 2002.
The Spoke sites are located at Canora, Redvers, Indian Head, Swift Current, Scott, Melfort and Outlook. All sites, except Canora and Redvers, are associated with existing AAFC facilities. It should be noted that the sites at Canora, Redvers, Indian Head and Swift Current are managed by producers groups. The site at Outlook is located at the Saskatchewan Irrigation Development Center. At Scott, a Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food employee has been seconded to manage Spoke activities.
The commodities under investigation are pulse crops, herbs, spices, sunflowers, honeybees, alfalfa, organic production and grass seed production. The studies associated with each of those crops were developed in collaboration with each respective commodity group. The protocols for each study are reviewed and updated annually with direct input and final approval from the affected commodity group.
The information generated from these research activities is compiled into an annual report
and distributed to all extension agrologists, soil and crop specialists, research collaborators and respective commodity groups. The information is published, where appropriate, in commodity newsletters and presented at the various annual meetings of the various commodity groups. A provincial newsletter is also produced on a yearly basis in June highlighting achievements to date as well as field days and to promote the overall Spoke Program. Research summaries from completed studies have been produced and posted on our web site (refer to end of this section for the address). In 1999, a regional newsletter was produced in East Central Saskatchewan with a mail out of 8,000. In 2000, 5 such regional newsletters were produced and distributed to 45,000 rural mailboxes across different regions of Saskatchewan. Our goal is to produce 7 regional newsletters in the spring of 2001 with a potential mail-out of 60,000.
The technology transfer activities consists of at least one major field day at each site during the summer and usually a few smaller focused field days during the course of the summer. At least one winter meeting is done at each site. The winter meetings and field days allow for the opportunity for highlighting all AFIF activities and any new initiatives at the local level.
For more information about the Spoke Program, consult our web site: http://paridss.usask.ca/specialcrop
One of the anticipated outcomes of this initiative by the creators of this program, was that the monies allocated during the first five years would provide the momentum necessary for the establishment of permanent sites, well beyond the life of the AFIF program. However, in order to ensure the success of such an objective, it was felt that the development of a coordinated strategy would be required, combined with broad consultation of the major stakeholders.
Funding for a strategic planning session was obtained from CARDS and a meeting was held in Regina on November 17th and 18th, 1999 which brought together 5 producers associated with each of the Spoke sites and also producers affiliated with the SK Conservation Learning Center in Prince Albert and PARR (Partners in Agricultural Research) from the Kindersley area. The discussions lead to the formulation of the following statements:
1. Agreement for an initial alliance of 8 sites.
2. Merits of collaboration, cooperation and coordination were recognized.
3. Need for strong leadership.
4. Need for effective communication.
5. Need for extensive public awareness.
6. Technology Transfer is a key priority (Applied research to support technology transfer).
Following the meeting, it was agreed that a Task Committee would be formed involving one representative from each Spoke site. The committee met in Regina on December 16th, 1999 in order to put more details to the overall structure of this new alliance. The alliance would consist on an action board involving one voting member from each Spoke site and a management committee involving a manager, a research coordinator and an information coordinator. They would answer to the action board. The alliance would also have an advisory board consisting of industry and government stakeholders. Some general policies were formulated at the meeting which are the following:
1. The sites are autonomous (producer-driven and controlled) - representatives to the action board must be voting members of their local board
2. Action board responsible for actions of manager(s) who report to the board
3. Management is responsible for the core funding of the umbrella organization.
4. Each site is responsible to communicate results and activities to all other sites via the information co-ordinator.
5. Technology Transfer will be co-ordinated amongst the sites
6. Applied research to support technology transfer will be emphasized
7. Establishment of a Provincial Communication Plan and Public Relations Plan
Opportunities for the Saskatchewan Agricultural Industry
Following are opportunities that this type of approach can offer for agronomic research and technology transfer in Saskatchewan:
1. More research and technology transfer activities in areas like Redvers, Canora, Kindersley and Prince Albert in addition to Indian Head, Melfort, Swift Current and Scott.
2. Allows for rapid investigation of new technologies because of the network of sites
3. Allows for rapid response to a new problem due to the network of sites
4. Allows for new funding opportunities because of the direct involvement of producers.
5. Allows Ag Canada and the University to focus on the development of future technologies.
What Does the Strategy Look Like for the Future of the SPOKE Program?
Goals of the New Spoke Program
Long-term rural sustainability through the evaluation and validation of new crop production technologies, the development of solutions to agronomic problems, the education of producers on soil and crop management under the direction and coordination of the Alliance of Spoke Sites.
1. Technology Transfer:
Establishment of effective approaches through the integration of existing services for delivering new technology and solutions to agronomic problems related to soils and crops.
2. Public Awareness:
Establishment of effective communication strategies to inform producers, ag industry and the public at large regarding new and developing technologies in agriculture.
3. Alliance Operations:
Establishment of an effective coordinated approach to information and research at the Spoke sites and management of the provincial alliance of Spoke Sites.
4. Applied Research:
Establishment of applied research in the existing extension services for an objective evaluation and validation of technology related to soil and crop management on a regional basis.
How to Contribute to the Process?
The success of this strategy is directly proportional to the amount of feedback and ideas received. For those of you who would like to share your ideas about this new program, please let us know. Simply go to our web site http://paridss.usask.ca/specialcrop and follow the instructions in our feedback section.