In the aftermath of our conference, there were a lot of thoughts running through my mind. How do we maintain the momentum from the success of a sold out conference? How will the membership respond to our survey? How will lack of funding through the existing grant program structure affect our ability as an organization to maintain the extension work that has been so vital to the expansion of soil conservation, and improvement via changes in seeding technology and residue management?
In discussions with SSCA board members, exhibitors seemed pleased with the numbers of visitors at their booths and displays. We were pleased that the Hon. Dwain Lingenfelter, Minister of Agriculture and Elwin Hermanson, Leader of the Opposition, attended this year's conference. The SSCA executive met with Sask. Ag. and Food as a follow up to the funding announcement by Mr. Lingenfelter at our Direct Seeding conference banquet. Areas of mutual interest have been identified and negotiations are continuing to complete a contract. Further work is being done to try and expand that funding with other agencies and industry.
On February 21, a Soil Carbon Sequestration Workshop, co-sponsored by SSCA and Sask. Power, was held in Regina to update the major farm organizations and commodity groups on this issue. Issues such as the process of soil carbon sequestration, Canada's National Greenhouse Gas Strategy and the Iowa Soil Carbon trade with GEMCo were explained and discussed by the different speakers. By inviting as many farm and industry players as possible, the SSCA will continue in its leadership role with greenhouse gas issues and the relationship to soil stewardship. As John Bennett puts it, the methods the federal government chooses to use to address its Kyoto commitments, whether "a carrot or a stick" will have a major impact on how farm families are able to adapt to these changes when the Kyoto Protocol is finally ratified.
The SSCA board also met on February 21 to make decisions to address our member's concerns, and the ability of the association to impact the direction of federal and provincial governments on the issues surrounding the Kyoto protocol. Given that our current contracts will be completed at the end of March and our attempts to access other projects through ADF and CARDS where not fruitful, the board had to make budget decisions based on the provincial government's funding of $200,000 and our SSCA reserves. We decided to maintain reserves for three years of core association activities: head office, Prairie Steward, direct seeding conference, demo plots and web site. The other decision made that will have a major impact on SSCA visibility is that, due to our financial limitations, our remaining extension staff has been offered 2/3 time employment. This will definitely lead to a reduction of their current activities. Priorities and workplans are currently being developed for the coming year. We are continuing to explore other funding options to help bring our staff back up to full time.
I would like to wish you all the best for the coming season.