| | Educating and supporting Alberta producers is the main goal of 12 field analysts from the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program. The availability of CAIS field analysts in Alberta communities demonstrates the government's focus on improving understanding of the program.
.
As well as being available to tell CAIS participants when their forms are due and what is required, the field analysts will focus on teaching producers how to fill out forms, why certain information is required, and who to contact when they need in-person help.
Kaye Ford, senior field analyst for the north region, believes producers will benefit from a greater knowledge of CAIS. "Our role is not to fill out forms, but to provide farmers and accountants with the knowledge necessary to participate in CAIS," she says. "Farmers will benefit from our training sessions, which will give them a better understanding of what is required on the forms."
"The key to having applications processed quickly is filling out forms with accurate information," says April Aspden, senior field analyst for the south region. "We hope to help with that through the workshops we're planning and the one-on-one support we offer."
The field analysts are located throughout Alberta in accessible, high-traffic rural communities, which include Fairview, Grande Prairie, Vermilion, Westlock, Camrose, Stony Plain, Ponoka, Olds, Drumheller, Strathmore, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge.
CAIS is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative that aims to position Canada as the world leader in food safety, innovation and environmentally responsible agricultural production.
AFSC, a provincial Crown corporation, provides unique financial and risk management tools, including crop and hail insurance, farm loans for beginning and developing producers, farm income disaster protection for producers, and financing for small businesses, agri-processing and value-added agricultural businesses.
Further information on AFSC services can be obtained at AFSC district offices, the CAIS call center at 1-877-744-7900, or on-line at www.AFSC.ca.
Contact:
Emmet Hanrahan
Manager, CAIS, AFSC
(403) 782-0191
E-mail: emmet.hanrahan@AFSC.ca |
|