SFGA is a grower-directed association dedicated to the production and marketing of premium quality Saskatchewan-grown fruit. A voluntary non-profit association, the SFGA is interested in the development of a strong and vibrant fruit industry.
To meet industry needs, the SFGA works with researchers, government, processors and consumers. We collaborate with these stakeholders on research, market development, quality standards, and other initiatives.
Members receive: listing on the SFGA website, annual membership directory, bulk purchasing discounts, member pricing for industry education and activities, and other benefits.
The SFGA is incorporated under Saskatchewan’s “Non-profit Corporations Act, 1995“, and follows a constitution originally formulated in 1988 that has been amended most recently in 2010.
The Constitution indicates the objectives of the association are:
a) Holding an annual meeting for consideration of questions relating to the production, marketing and processing of fruit.
2) Demonstrating desirable production techniques, merchandising practices and research projects by means of field days, exhibitions and competitions.
b) Collecting and making available to its members useful scientific and general information on producing, storing, packaging, processing, transportation, marketing and utilizing fruit crops.
c) Collectively working on means of supplying quality certified planting stock in bulk to members of the association.
d) Expanding markets, improving trade relationships and promoting consumption of Saskatchewan fruit crops and fruit crop products.
e) Cooperation with government agencies, educational groups and other agricultural and horticultural groups in furthering research and the welfare of growers relating to the fruit industry.
f) Working on ways and means to determine and assure fruit growers receive a fair compensation for their fruit crops and fruit crop products.
g) Using such other means as may from time to time seem prudent and desirable.
For a copy of the SFGA’s constitution, please see: Constitution
The Saskatchewan Vegetable Growers Association (SVGA) is hosting a FREE Zoom online Biosecurity workshop on December 21, 2022 at 9am.
The facilitator for this workshop and author of the Biosecurity manual is Doug Waterer.
Do you know how pests are getting onto your land? Join this FREE online workshop to help you develop a Biosecurity plan for your land (farm, acreage, orchard, etc.) to reduce the risk of pests invading or spreading on your land.
Biosecurity is a set of measures put in place to protect your land against the introduction and spread of new pests and to effectively deal with them should they arrive. The plan focuses on the prevention rather than management of pest introduction and spread, as prevention is usually more effective and less costly than long-term management of a problem.
The guide and information is developed and delivered in this workshop to provide best practices and biosecurity measures for consideration to help land owners achieve their biosecurity and pest risk mitigation goals.
DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT WORKSHOP. The workshop is not just for growers, but for anyone that is involved in the many components of agriculture. For further information or to register, contact Judy at: saskvegetable@agcouncil.ca
Funding for this guide and workshop is provided to SVGA through the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Canada-Saskatchewan Canadian Agricultural Partnership bilateral agreement.
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The University of Saskatchewan Fruit Research Program often provides workshops. Industry members are advised to check its “Event Page”.
The SFGA offers two membership categories:
The membership fee was reduced in 2019.
The Associate member was discontinued.
Active Member – $150/YR + GST
Active members will receive the SFGA member guide which lists all members, discounts for bulk plant material and supply purchases, reduced registration fees for workshops and conferences, and the right to vote. Eligibility for active membership requires that the interested party be engaged in growing at least one acre of fruit with the intent of selling the fruit commercially or through U-Pick.
Affiliate Member – $150/YR + GST
Affiliate members are not able to vote in SFGA matters. The only requirement for affiliate membership is that you have an interest in growing fruit and that you do not have more than one acre of fruit planted.
Associate members will receive the SFGA member guide, and space in the member guide for a one page advertisement. As well, they will have the option to sit on strategic committees but are not able to vote. Associate membership is intended for individuals or business entities who plan to sell products or services to the rest of the membership.
Mark Hodgson
Mark is the past SFGA President and the owner (along with his wife Susan) of Hodgson Farms located South-east of Melfort Saskatchewan. Mark and Susan grow a number of fruit and vegetable products including strawberries, cantaloupe, rhubarb, potatoes and a number of other vegetables.
Mark has also been active as a Member of Prairie Fresh Food Corporation (PFFC), a cooperative that markets vegetables and fruit (primarily to The Grocery People).
SFGA’s 2022 Executive Board includes:
President; Charles Sudom
Vice; Alec St. Marie
Past President; Don Martin
Nomination Committee Chair; Louise Ortman
Members at Large;
Will Stafford
John Hyshka
Merv Zurevinski
Forrest Scharf, SK Ministry of Agriculture – Ex-Officio
Murray Lewis, AAFC – Ex-Officio
Dr. Bob Bors, U of S – Advisor
SFGA’s 2021 Executive Board includes:
President; Don Martin
Vice; Charles Sudom
Nomination Committee Chair; Louise Ortman
Members at Large;
Will Stafford
John Hyshka
Merv Zurevinski
Audrey Jeffery
Alec St. Marie
Forrest Scharf, SK Ministry of Agriculture – Ex-Officio
Kaytlyn Criddle, AAFC – Ex-Officio
Dr. Bob Bors, U of S – Advisor
SFGA’s 2020 Executive Board includes:
President; Don Martin
Vice; Charles Sudom
Members at Large;
Will Stafford
Louise Ortman
John Hyshka
Merv Zurevinski
SFGA’s 2019 Executive Board includes:
President;
Don Martin
Vice;
Merv Zurevinski
Members at Large;
Will Stafford
Louise Ortman
Kathy Adams
SFGA’s 2018 Executive Board includes:
President:
Mark Hodgson
Vice President:
Mervin Zurevinsky
Ex-President:
Kirk Flaman
General Board Members:
William Stafford
Mark Reed
Ex Officios:
Forrest Scharf (Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture; Provincial Specialist, Fruit Crops)
Kaytlyn Criddle (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Senior Industry Development Officer)
Affiliate members are not able to vote in SFGA matters. The only requirement for affiliate membership is that you have an interest in growing fruit and that you do not have more than one acre of fruit planted in Saskatchewan.
Affiliate Membership costs $150/YR + GST
Many of the affiliate members do not have sufficient production to be classified as commercial growers. Most new entrants to the fruit industry do not, so they maintain affiliate status until production levels increase. Other affiliate members grow fruit as a hobby, have strictly academic or professional interests, and can maintain affiliate status for the long-term.
Canadian fruits and vegetables have always been recognized for their high level of safety and for their positive impact on the health of consumers. Recent cases of food-borne illnesses have increased consumer awareness of the potential for contamination of produce. In order to reassure buyers.