agricultural institute of canada the national not-for-profit organization which promotes the...

Agricultural Institute of Canada

The national not-for-profit organization which promotes the profession of agrology and the science of agriculture



A federated structure9 Provincial Institutes — regulate the profession

under provincial legislation• Alberta Institute of Agrologists• British Columbia Institute of Agrologists• Manitoba Institute of Agrologists• New Brunswick Institute of Agrologists• Newfoundland & Labrador Institute of Agrologists• Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists• Ontario Institute of Agrologists• Prince Edward Island Institute of Agrologists• Saskatchewan Institutes of Agrologists

8 Scientific Societies — promote scientific research and development

• Canadian Agricultural Economics Society• Canadian Consulting Agrologists’ Association• Canadian Society of Agrometeorology• Canadian Society of Agronomy• Canadian Society of Animal Science• Canadian Society of Extension• Canadian Society for Horticultural Science• Canadian Society of Soil Science

AIC

5,500 professional agrologists and scientists


The Profession

Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.) – licensed and accountable• Governed by a strict code of ethics• Required to continuously update skills and

knowledge• In 5 provinces must be registered to practice• In 4 provinces must be registered to use P.Ag.


Promote the Profession of Agrology

• Provide opportunities for Agrologists – nationally and internationally

• Promote agrology as a career

• Provide quality advice to regulators and policy makers

• Promote and facilitate access to quality professional development

• Enhance understanding of the industry


Enhance the Science of Agriculture

• Publish 3 internationally respected Scientific Journals

Canadian Journal of Animal ScienceCanadian Journal of Plant ScienceCanadian Journal of Soil Science

• Accredit Baccalaureate programs across Canada

• Facilitate access to respected Agricultural Scientists

• Provide forum for sharing of research and science (scientific symposia)


Concerns• Perceived subsidy of one group’s

activities by another group

• Vulnerability of the structure to sudden loss of an organization member

• Lack of sense of ownership

• Lack of relevance for members, both individual and organization


Concerns…

• Disconnect of the individual from the organization

• Value for fees and willingness to pay

• Lack of dialogue

• Decision making is complex

• AIC’s role in setting national standards

• Lack of clarity about what AIC does


The national organization should:• provide a forum to integrate the

scientific and professional agricultural sectors with the primary agricultural production and food sectors

• be a forum for interaction between all sectors of agriculture

• be a coordinating and facilitating organization for professional, scientific, production agriculture and agri-food organizations in other countries


• Facilitates access to a reliable and trusted source of information to the general public on agricultural issues

• be a national contact for similar organizations in other countries and international organizations

The national organization should:


Criteria for evaluating models for a new organizationPositions AIC to be prepared to proactively make the best of opportunities to:

• Promote the professional and scientific expertise of the individuals represented by the organization

• Inform and educate the public, government decision makers, and members of AIC on issues facing agriculture today

• Nationally coordinate the efforts of the organizations represented by AIC


Time lines for AIC structure process• May 30 — a report to the AIC board and

member organizations that incorporates member input and requests feedback by the end of August

• June 1 to August 31 — presentations on the proposal by AIC board members and staff to member organizations

• August 31 — feedback from member organizations collated. Based on this feedback, Summit II may be required


Time lines…• September 30 — final report from the

Models Task Force sent to the AIC board

• October/November — AIC board decides on new membership structure and a process to bring it into operation

• 2004 — development and planning

• 2005 — implementation

agricultural institute of canada the national not-for-profit organization which promotes the...

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