“We are pleased to be able to launch the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation today,” said SSGA president Bill Huber in a media release. “We’ve been working on developing a charitable foundation and land trust for several years and we’re happy to see it come to fruition.”

The goals of the foundation are to conserve agricultural lands, advance education, relieve poverty and assist  disaster victims. The SSGF will fill a growing need in the ranching community for voluntary, private-sector options for agricultural land conservation.

The SSGF is the first provincial agricultural land conservation organization based in Saskatchewan. It’s also the first to offer term conservation easements, as part of its focus on conserving agricultural lands.

The foundation became a federally registered charitable organization in December 2019. The SSGF is operated by a board of directors led by interim chair Ray McDougald. The board comprises eight directors who are primarily current or former agricultural producers with a personal understanding of agricultural and community issues. It also includes two academics bringing their research expertise to decision-making.

“I look forward to working with the Foundation’s board to conserve our remaining working agricultural landscapes and to help address poverty in Saskatchewan” McDougald said.

For further information about the SSGF or to make a donation, contact the office at (306) 757-8523.