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Autumn 2009

Message from the Chair of the Board of Directors

Terry Murray

Labour market information on recruitment and retention continues to drive the Council's work and achievements. We're featuring the final products of our research from farms with annual revenues of more than $100,000. We're also providing details about our new project that will gather labour market information from farms with revenues less than $100,000.

The results of the first labour market study shed light on the workforce needs of agriculture operations across Canada. We're highlighting the Council's efforts to disseminate these findings to federal, provincial and territorial governments, to media and to other stakeholders. We're also featuring how the research findings are appearing in the news.

As you know, agritalent.ca is a tool we've developed to promote learning opportunities in agriculture across Canada. Launched last June, we're sharing statistics on how this database is being used by Canadians and other visitors.

We're also happy to announce the availability of the On-the-Job Training Tools that were developed for the ornamental sector. This train-the-trainer tool is meant to help employers train their employees both in softscape and hardscape installation and maintenance.

We're pleased to announce that CAHRC's Executive Director, Danielle Vinette, has been elected to the Council of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association. As a Council member, Danielle will have the opportunity to inject CAHRC's knowledge of agriculture HR issues to contribute to safer practices on the farm.

In our "Voices in Agriculture" section, we're highlighting a recent message from the first vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and one of our Board Directors, Ron Bonnett. Ron's Thanksgiving message complements our labour market research and is indicative of the importance agriculture plays in our daily lives.

I hope you enjoy reading about our recent achievements and invite you to contact us with any comments or questions that you may have about Field Notes this Autumn.

Terry Murray, Eastern View Farms Ltd.
Wild Rose Agricultural Producers, Alberta