Wadena’s satellite agriculture ministry office is one of seven closing in the province.
No jobs will be lost, as the satellite offices were only used when a producer made an appointment.
Kevin France, executive director for the agriculture ministry’s regional services branch, said in 2016, there were only 17 appointments at all seven locations.
“Really, a better service delivery method for us is: why wouldn’t we meet that producer out in the field or out in their location versus a rented space in one of these satellite offices?”
Meeting space could be arranged at RM or Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation offices for those producers that would prefer to go that route.
When the Wadena office was used, it would be staffed by specialists from either Tisdale or Watrous.
The closures are part of an effort to modernize services to better serve producers. Starting April 1, services will focus on delivering three key priorities: research and technology transfer, delivering programs to ensure clients have the tools they need to adopt sound management practices and building the public’s trust of the agriculture industry.
Farm business specialists will be converted into agricultural program specialists, tasked with increasing understanding of agriculture programs and providing support to producers in accessing programs and funding. Forage specialists will be converted to range management specialists that will focus on community pastures and other public lands, working with patrons to ensure they remain sustainable.
The changes come after a review that included consultation with industry, focus group discussions with clients and an online survey.
“That review took us approximately a year to do and as such, we see the changes that we see today that I think are going to deliver upon what we’ve heard from the producers and to meet their needs in the future as well,” France said.
