Contributions to the livestock industry recognized

Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan has named Joe Kleinsasser as recipient of the 2024 Champion Award.

The award was presented during the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium in Saskatoon. 

Kleinsasser has been a member and supporter of Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan since its inception 10 years ago. He served as the first chair of the organization when it transitioned from the Farm Animal Council in 2014.  

In addition to his work with FFC SK, Kleinsasser was involved in the hog industry for nearly 17 years, first in equipment fabrication and later as manager of a 400 sow-farrow-to-finish hog operation. He served on the Board of Sask Pork from 2002 to 2009, and was director of SPI Marketing Group from 1999 to 2013. Kleinsasser also serves on the Agriculture Development Fund Advisory Committee, providing guidance on long-term agriculture research funding in the province. He is a member of the Agri-Food Council, an independent board that supervises and monitors agri-food agencies in Saskatchewan. 

Kleinsasser is from the Rosetown Hutterite Colony where he has been minister since 1995. Over the years, he has also served as finance manager and president of its corporate unit at the Rosetown Colony. Kleinsasser and his wife Kate have four children.  

“Joe has a deep appreciation and passion for growing food and for sharing his experiences with others,” said Adele Buettner of AgriBiz Communications, one of those who nominated Kleinsasser for the award.

“He has been a trailblazer: helping to develop progressive policies, demonstrating the importance of working collaboratively across all sectors, and has always been a champion of ‘doing the right thing.’” 

“Joe Kleinsasser is incredibly deserving of the designation of ‘champion’,” said Clinton Monchuk, executive director of Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan.

“He has been a constant positive communicator for agriculture since way before it was popular to do so. His thoughtful and strong leadership helped establish Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan more than a decade ago. We’re very proud to recognize his contributions to build consumer confidence in farming and food production in this province.” 

Each year, the Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan Champion Award recognizes a recipient who has engaged consumers about agriculture and worked to build public trust in farming and food in our province and beyond.