Canada s bid to host the. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada 2020

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Karin Stephens
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1 Canada s bid to host the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada 2020

SaskOrganics and Organic Connections are pleased to submit a bid to host the IFOAM Organic World Congress 2020.

2 SaskOrganics and Organic Connections are pleased to submit a bid to host the IFOAM Organic World Congress Hosting the event will provide an opportunity to showcase the contributions, innovation and leadership the Canadian organic sector makes to the global organic movement. It will also provide an opportunity to learn from and be challenged by the global organic community to build a stronger organic sector in Canada. In Saskatchewan we have over 800 certified organic farmers with just under 1,000,000 acres under organic management accounting for 37% of all certified organic acres in Canada. We are excited to be proposing Saskatoon, Saskatchewan as our host city, bringing the Organic World Congress into the heart of organic field crop production in Canada. If our bid is successful we would like to invite the global organic community to celebrate organic farming and food in Saskatoon from 15 th 24 th July Hosting the OWC in July in Saskatchewan will provide an opportunity for Congress attendees to participate in organic farm tours and learn directly from organic farmers. The month of July is full of exciting festivals, cultural events and warm sunshine- the best time to explore Saskatoon. Whether you re an avid outdoor enthusiast, a history lover or a foodie, Saskatoon and its diverse neighborhoods offer plenty of unique experiences. SaskOrganics is a farmer-led umbrella organization for the organic sector in Saskatchewan. We advocate for a sustainable and thriving organic community through leadership in research, market development and communications. We promote strategic alliances with a focus on furthering the goals of the organic community and represent the interests of the organic community to various levels of government, other agencies and non-governmental organizations. SaskOrganics is also actively involved in the maintenance of the Canada s National Organic Standard. Incorporated in 1991, we are in our twenty-sixth year of supporting the growth and development of the organic movement in Saskatchewan. In 2004, Organic Connections (OC) was founded by organic farmers who identified a need to create forum for sharing information and research to help the sector grow. The last biannual conference took place in 2016 with over 400 organic and transitioning to organic farmers in attendance. OC s agenda development takes into account what farmers need now to build and grow their operations as well as bringing in internationally renowned speaker like Dr. Gilles Eric Seralini, to challenge and stimulate the development of our sector is an Organic Connections conference year which creates a synergy that would benefit both events. The track record of both organizations, coupled with the support of national and provincial organic sector organizations and industry, demonstrates that we collectively have the experience and competencies to successfully host the Organic World conference in Saskatchewan in Marla Carlson, BA, MSc Executive Director, SaskOrganics President, Organic Connections Janet Galarneau Treasurer, BOD Organic Connections

The organic sector in Canada is committed to ensure good food and health of our planet.

One of our goals is to highlight to the world the innovation and diversity of prairie farmers and the food they produce farming in extreme cold weather with short growing seasons.

Recognizing the way we produce our food holds the key to addressing the most pressing issues of our time.

3 The organic sector in Canada is committed to ensure good food and health of our planet. We would like to inform on how Canada is moving its way forward to a better food system and enhancing the organic community globally. One of our goals is to highlight to the world the innovation and diversity of prairie farmers and the food they produce farming in extreme cold weather with short growing seasons. In the spirit of IFOAM s Organic 3.0 framework we are committed to designing a program that will be inclusive and welcoming to everyone in agriculture, from consumer to farmer. Recognizing the way we produce our food holds the key to addressing the most pressing issues of our time. In order to do this in a meaningful way we need to open ourselves up to ideas outside of the certified organic community rather than using certification as a way to box ourselves in. At Organic Connections 2016 we started this discussion by inviting David Gould (IFOAM North America), Dr. Andy Hammermeister (OACC) and Tia Loftsgard (COTA) to introduce the framework and facilitate a discussion on ways to transition from Organic 2.0 to Organic 3.0. As part of widening the circle, and in recognition that if successful, the 20 th IFOAM Organic World Congress in Saskatoon will be held on Treaty 6 land, we are proposing that one of the programming streams focus on Indigenous food production past, present and future. Another way we are working toward inclusivity is by establishing a scholarship/bursary fund to help ensure financial hardship does not create a barrier to attendance. a collaborative global forum to explore how organic food and farming provide solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time e.g. climate change, food sovereignty, etc. the latest research, agronomic practices and market opportunities (scientific and farmer presentations) Indigenous food production past, present, and future organic farm tours - experience field crop production first hand, an opportunity to learn directly from organic farmers With the expertise of SaskOrganics, Organic Connections and Tourism Saskatoon IFOAM in 2020 will be exciting, knowledgeable and fun!

Canada Organic Trade Association COTA is pleased to endorse the SaskOrganics/Organic Connections bid to host the Organic World Congress in 2020.

Hosting the OWC in Saskatoon provides a platform to showcase the innovation and growth of the organic sector on the Prairies and to learn from global organic community.

We are pleased and excited to support Saskatoon Tourism s bid for the 2020 IFOAM World Conference.

Organic Federation of Canada The Organic Federation of Canada (OFC/FBC) is a national association of Canadian organic producers and stakeholders and we all would be very pleased to welcome, in

Sharing knowledge, expertise, and organic development policies with international organic leaders is a unique occasion to stimulate our national sector and promote organic values in our country and

Jim Robbins, President, OFC/FBC Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada The Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada at Dalhousie University is pleased to endorse the bid to host the Organic World

Andrew Hammermeister Director, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, Dalhousie University Ecocert Ecocert Canada makes every effort to provide the best service to the organic sector.

4 Canada Organic Trade Association COTA is pleased to endorse the SaskOrganics/Organic Connections bid to host the Organic World Congress in Saskatchewan has the most field crop farmers and is the largest exporter of organic field crop commodities in Canada. Hosting the OWC in Saskatoon provides a platform to showcase the innovation and growth of the organic sector on the Prairies and to learn from global organic community. Tia Loftsgard, Executive Director Canadian Organic Growers Canadian Organic Growers (COG) is Canada s largest national organic charity with members and donors across Canada. We are pleased and excited to support Saskatoon Tourism s bid for the 2020 IFOAM World Conference. It is an excellent opportunity for Saskatoon to show Canada and the world the growing importance of organic farming and practices. Organic Federation of Canada The Organic Federation of Canada (OFC/FBC) is a national association of Canadian organic producers and stakeholders and we all would be very pleased to welcome, in Saskatchewan, the 2020 IFOAM WORLD CONGRESS. Sharing knowledge, expertise, and organic development policies with international organic leaders is a unique occasion to stimulate our national sector and promote organic values in our country and across the world. We hope that you will seriously consider the SaskOrganics candidature. Jim Robbins, President, OFC/FBC Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada The Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada at Dalhousie University is pleased to endorse the bid to host the Organic World Congress in 2020 in Saskatoon, Canada, an amazing Prairie city in the heart of organic grains, oilseeds and pulses production in Canada. Dr. Andrew Hammermeister Director, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, Dalhousie University Ecocert Ecocert Canada makes every effort to provide the best service to the organic sector. Ecocert feels confident that the bid to host the 2020 IFOAM conference in Saskatoon will benefit all parts of the organic sector in Canada, and therefore look forward to the event happening in Western Canada. Nature s Path Nature s Path, North America s largest cereal and snack food company, is pleased to endorse the SaskOrganics/Organic Connections bid to host the Organic World Congress in Saskatoon is a vibrant prairie city in the heart of organic field crop production and would be an ideal venue to host the OWC. Dag Falck, Nature s Path. Kamut International Kamut International is extremely excited about the SaskOrganics/Organic Connections bid for the 2020 IFOAM conference to be in Saskatoon. We fully support this initiative as an excellent venue to bring the global organic community to Canada and to showcase the strength and diversity of organics in Canada to the world.

6 Your event would be hosted at our biggest convention facility- Prairieland Park. 240,000 sqr. ft. of meeting space under one roof Plenty of breakout rooms ***Food cost is a reflection of average prices. We will be supporting our local organic farmers and showcasing those authentic culinary delights*** Quality food and beverage service Free Wi Fi 4,800+ hotel rooms Rooms and meeting space recently renovated Free Wi Fi Conveniently located close to convention centers, restaurants and attractions

Included in our budget is the cost of a PCO.

lines, abstracts, the website and much more.

Congress Co-Chair Marla Carlson, BA, MSc Executive Director, SaskOrganics President, Organic Connections Congress

Brad Peters Director of International Sales & Tradeshow Development Tourism Saskatoon Whitney Stobee International

7 Included in our budget is the cost of a PCO. This person will be contracted to organize all aspects of the event including registration, travel details, time lines, abstracts, the website and much more. Our local organizing committee will be there to guide and give final approval on all details. Congress Co-Chair Marla Carlson, BA, MSc Executive Director, SaskOrganics President, Organic Connections Congress Co-Chair Janet Galarneau Treasurer, BOD Organic Connections Nadine Collison Event Coordinator Organic Connections Brad Peters Director of International Sales & Tradeshow Development Tourism Saskatoon Whitney Stobee International Convention Sales Executive Tourism Saskatoon The local organizing committee will only continue to grow as we add individuals with organic farming backgrounds and coordinating experience. We have a commitment of $100,000 CAN in sponsorship and will continue to grow our support!

Organic Alberta Organic Alberta is very supportive

growth in organic production as well as a lot of

growers and those involved in the organic sector

Manitoba Organic Alliance enthusiastically supports

Organic World Congress 2020 here in the Canadian

the world is good news story of international

contributions, and we look forward to the boost in

organics spurred by this historic project.

We are happy to host a site visit for two people

8 Organic Alberta Organic Alberta is very supportive of having the IFOAM 2020 world congress in the Canadian Prairies. The Canadian Prairies are seeing a very strong growth in organic production as well as a lot of innovation and are excited to share this with the world. We are also very excited to hear and learn from growers and those involved in the organic sector from around the world. Manitoba Organic Alliance The Manitoba Organic Alliance enthusiastically supports SaskOrganics/Organic Connection's bid to host the Organic World Congress 2020 here in the Canadian Prairies, and commit to actively supporting this project towards success. The growing organic sector across Canada and around the world is good news story of international collaboration towards healthy communities, land, air, and water. This is the right time to bring focus to our contributions, and we look forward to the boost in knowledge, networking, and momentum for Canadian organics spurred by this historic project. Additional Support: for considering Saskatoon! We are happy to host a site visit for two people from IFOAM that includes airfare, hotel room, food & beverage, and tour. We are pleased to confirm readiness to build a consortium with oi!events ggmbh and to sign an agreement with IFOAM - Organics International based on its Policy 15.

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