The 32nd annual Western Canada Farm Progress Show in Regina kicked off with welcome news from the Saskatchewan government.  Bob Bjornerud, the provincial minister of agriculture, used the event’s opening ceremonies on June 16 to announce new, ongoing government funding for the annual show.
 
Starting with the 2009 season, the province has

Saskatchewan's agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud, a farmer from the province's southeast, announces a funding commitment from the province for the Western Canada Farm Progress Show. (Scott Garvey photo)

committed to annual contributions of $20,000 over five years, for a total of $100,000 in all.  According to Bjornerud, the provincial government recognizes the show’s importance to Prairie producers and manufacturers.

“This is a great show.  It’s great for the province of Saskatchewan and Western Canada,” Bjornerud said after the announcement.  “The stability this [funding] brings sure helps.”
 
According to Rob O’Connor, the show manager, the extra cash will help with long-term planning.

“It’s very welcome.  It helps us manage the show when we know what [funds are] coming up front,” he says.  “It’s really good to see they’ve made that commitment to the show.  The relationship with the provincial government has really strengthened over the last few years.”