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Al Scholz, B.Sc.Ag., B. Ed., P. Ag., CAC, CAPS
Saskatoon Chapter
Al Scholz is executive director of the Saskatchewan Agrivision Corporation, an independent think tank with the mandate of "making transformational change in the business of agriculture". He has been active in Canada's agriculture and food industry for 30 years as a farmer, management consultant, business owner, author and speaker with a focus on farm management, community renewal strategies, leadership and entrepreneurship. Al leads an innovative national project "Best Practices of Leading Farmers" premised on the notion that strategies for improved farm profitability exists among top farmers. The 2004 to 2006 Canadian research results offer insights into policy and legislation that support farmers' integration in the food system in a manner that captures a larger share of the consumer dollar. This is a first-in-the-world effort at applying "best practice" to agriculture. Al published, "Don't Turn Out the Lights: Entrepreneurship in Rural Saskatchewan" in the 2000, which was nominated for a Saskatchewan Book Award. A second book in 2002 was titled "Community Success Stories: Plans Actions and Results." Al has lived and worked over nine years in Southeast Asia and India focusing on agriculture, rural renewal and co-operative development. He led the development of the Saskatchewan Food Processors Association during its early formative years Al is a graduate of the College of Agriculture and College of Education from the University of Saskatchewan, a member of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, the Canadian Consulting Agrologists Association, the Agricultural Institute of Canada; the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors; and the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. He served three terms with the Saskatoon & District Chamber of Commerce, served two terms on the Senate of the University of Saskatchewan, served on the Board of Directors of Saskatoon Credit Union and was President of the Saskatchewan Council for International Co-operation. Contact: Al Scholz, PAg, CAC Executive Director Saskatchewan Agrivision Corporation Inc. 502 - 45th Street West, 2nd Floor Saskatoon, SK S7L 6H2 Canada Tel: 306-384-4966 Fax: 306-244-4497 Email: al.scholz@agrivision.com Web: www.agrivision.com Al has 30 years of experience in business development, food processing, marketing, policy review and development and management consulting. Domestically, Al led the Saskatchewan Agrivision Corporation for the past seven years in strategic visioning, public relations campaigns, policy recommendations for rural renewal and agri-value-add processing. He uses case studies of rural and community successes to support agriculture and rural leaders in the transition from a commodity-based to a competitive and responsive market approach. Al leads an innovative national project "Best Practices of Leading Farmers" premised on the notion that the solutions to the agriculture crisis exist among top farmers. The 2004 to 2006 Canadian research results offer insights into policy and legislation that support farmers' integration in the food system in a manner that captures a larger share of the consumer dollar. This is a first-in-the-world effort at applying "best practice" to agriculture. Al's background in researching rural entrepreneurship resulted in publishing Don't Turn Out The Lights: Entrepreneurship in Rural Saskatchewan a book on successful rural business that was nominated for a Saskatchewan Book Award. He then wrote "Community Success Stories" case studies of 8 Saskatchewan rural communities in renewal. He's currently preparing a manual on practical application of best practice on the farm. Al started his career in the agri-food industry with CSP Foods Ltd. Corporate Office and Hoechst Canada Inc. He has been a successful management consultant since 1987. A major strength is his organizational abilities where he established the Saskatchewan Food Processors Association, the Apparel & Textile Association of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Agrivision Corporation. Internationally, he has over nine years of cumulative work experience including 3� years with the Royal Thai Government as a Rural Extension Advisor; 3� years managing a CIDA Bilateral co-operative development (dairy and credit unions) project in Indonesia; a 12-month project in India many short-term assignments in agricultural processing, and market development. Key Areas of Expertise Strategic thinking with innovative, creative, unique approaches to problem solving Researcher in Best Practice of top farmers and the new and emerging business models that are successful. Understanding the policy relationships both inhibiting & supporting transformational change in rural regions Expertise in community economic development theory and the application of rural renewal strategies International Experience Region Short Term Long Term Project Market Co-operative Technical 1-3 months 1 to 3 years Management Development Development Assistance Asia India Indonesia Philippines v (x 2) v Thailand v (x 3) v (x 1) v v Africa Tanzania v (x1) v v Latin America Costa Rica v (x 2) v v Columbia v (x 1) v v Panama v (x 2) v v Trinidad -Tobago v (x1) v v Professional Experience 1999 to Saskatchewan Agrivision Corporation Inc. (SAC) Saskatoon SK Present Executive Director SAC is an independent, coalition of rural, farm and business leaders working as a think tank for value -added agriculture policy and programs. The motto is "making transformational change in the business of agriculture". Successes include: A National Best Practice of Leading Farmers study; A 50-Year Plan for Water; National Container Transportation Plan; National Grains Strategy; and many related papers and presentations on agri-value policy, farm business management and rural renewal. 1993 - 1999 Trimension Training & Consulting Group Inc. Saskatoon, SK Management Consultant - Vice-President A founding principal of Trimension Group, an agri-food management consulting firm with a focus on value-added processing. Served as Executive Director with the Saskatchewan Food Processors Association for three years and Senior Consultant for the Apparel and Textile Association of Saskatchewan (ATAS) for two years. 1987-1993 A.N. Scholz & Associates Inc. Saskatoon, SK President An agricultural consulting firm specializing in pedigreed seed production and market development in domestic and international markets and as a sub-contractor. Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) Contract: Country Program Manager (1988-1992) Jakarta, Indonesia Sub-contacted to CCA to manage a 3� year, $3.5 million CIDA bilateral pilot project on rural co-operatives including: credit unions, dairy and handicraft co-operatives, and co-op insurance. Developed a five-year, $15 million phase II funded by CIDA bilateral. 1980 - 1987 Scholz Pedigreed Seed Farm Churchbridge, SK Owner / Manager Co-managed a family pedigreed seed farm located in the East-Central Saskatchewan. As elite seed growers, produced cereals, oilseeds, pulse crops and specialty crops for sale to other seed growers and commercial farmers. 1984 - 1986 Hoechst Canada Inc. (later AgrEvo, Aventis, Bayer Crop Science) Regina, SK Marketing Representative Managed a sales territory for Hoechst Canada in East-Central Saskatchewan for two years. Led the development of the East-Central Saskatchewan Soil Conservation project that focused on conservation tillage research and demonstration plots. 1980 - 1984 CSP Food Ltd., Corporate Office (now Canamera) Saskatoon, SK Manager Agronomic Services Developed and delivered an agronomic services program for 8,000 canola and sunflower oilseed producers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Involved in the early development of the Canola Council of Canada's "Grow with Canola" corporate extension program. 1976 - 1979 Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Thai Government Chiang Rai, Thailand Rural Extension Advisor (CUSO Co-operant) An extension advisor in the Golden Triangle of northern Thailand to encourage diversification of subsistence rice-based agriculture with cash crops such as soybean, mung bean, groundnut, maize, tobacco, pineapple, and upland orchard crops. Worked with FAO and UNDP agricultural consultants from Chiang Mai University. Education and Professional Designations Canadian Association of Farm Advisors, 2007 Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, 2004 Certified Agricultural Consultant (CAC), 1986 Professional Agrologist (PAg), 1979 Bachelor of Education (BEd) Non-Formal Adult Education, University of Saskatchewan, 1976 Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA), Plant Science, University of Saskatchewan, 1975 Publications Research and wrote "Community Success Stories" (2002) for the ACRE community to profile 8 rural Saskatchewan communities who have taken positive steps towards rural economic renewal. Published a book "Don't Turn Out The Lights: Entrepreneurship in Rural Saskatchewan" (2000), which was nominated for a Saskatchewan Book Award in 2001. The book has 18 case studies to highlight the key success factors for sustainable, rural-based business ventures. Columnist for Prairieland Farm Newspaper (bi-monthly) published by L&L Communication, (1996-97) of case studies of rural-based business enterprises. This includes both successes and post-mortems of economic diversification and vertical integration. Numerous articles, commentaries, reports and keynote presentations at conferences that have been published in both domestic and international conference proceedings and publications. Professional Affiliations Agricultural Institute of Canada (AIC) Canadian Association of Farm Advisors [CAFA] Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) Canadian Consulting Agrologists Association - National President for three years (1996-1999) Canadian Society of Extension (CSE) Saskatchewan Consulting Agrologists - Provincial President for five years (1994-1999) Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists (SIA) Business & Community Affiliations Saskatoon & District Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, (2000-2003), Executive Committee and 2nd Vice President. Chair, Agribusiness Development Committee. University of Saskatchewan Senate (1996-2002) - Elected Member representing U of S Alumni and member Senate Executive Committee (1999-2002) Excel Telecommunications (Canada) Inc. Member of National Advisory Board 2000-2001 Saskatoon Credit Union, Board of Directors (1993-1996), Vice-President Saskatchewan Council for International Co-operation (1983-1988) - President (1986-1988) Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) Personal Health is excellent - Long distance runner Languages: English - Fluent Thai - Basic [was fluent 30-years ago]
President A. N. Scholz & Associates Inc. 531 Candle Way Saskatoon, SK S7K 5A9
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