Awareness summit explores public perceptions of ag industry

Industry leaders are meeting in Saskatoon this week to explore the ways public perceptions of the agriculture industry are changing, and how the industry is adapting to better connect with consumers.

The 2023 Agriculture Awareness Summit takes place Tuesday and Wednesday in Saskatoon, and is co-hosted by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan.

This year’s summit, the ministry said, will look at changes in public perception over the past 10 years and examine “how consumer trends continue to drive public trust considerations” in the agriculture sector.

The summit, which features speakers discussing topics like communications, consumer trends and effective use of social media, coincides with Canada’s Ag Day on Wednesday.

“Agriculture is a rapidly evolving industry that impacts everyone,” David Marit, Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister, said in a statement.

“As technologies change and consumers become more interested in food production, it’s increasingly important that we help inform the public on what we do, how we do it sustainably, and why.”

The event is funded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3-billion, five-year project by provincial and territorial governments along with Ottawa that aims to grow and strengthen Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industries.

Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food, said Canada’s producers are world leaders in sustainable food production, and the summit will help share their success.

“As more people seek to better understand where their food comes from, this summit will help producers connect with consumers and showcase our outstanding agriculture industry,” Bibeau said in a statement.