Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Haskap and Unusual Weather

Haskap Canada is seeking information on how this year's unusual weather effected Haskap. Some parts of Canada recieved extrordinary amounts of rain. Other areas experience extreme heat. Many crops suffered with complete loss in some cases.

What was the weather like in your area and how did it effect your Haskap production? Did your plants suffer any damage? Did you notice any difference among the varieties you cultivate?

Please post a comment describing how the weather effect your Haskap.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Some Highlights From Haskap Canada’s AGM


A presentation from Dr. Bob Bors on updates of the U of S Haskap Breeding program:
- information on new selections for a Haskap pollinator
- ongoing Canadian Haskap collection program
- development of relations with industry
- haskap making it onto the Olympic menu.

Haskap Canada received a preliminary presentation on an agri-marketing report. The final report will be made available to all members and to the public once completed in April. Also presented was a hypothetical business model that any grower/ processor could use as background for their own business and which will be posted on the website once the project is complete.

A summary of the activities that the Haskap Canada board undertook for the 2009 year.

Foods made with haskap that were available for lunch: turkey and pork roasts stuffed with a haskap/pecan stuffing, haskap salad, haskap rice pilaf, haskap cheese cake, and haskap ice cream.

Fourteen products were tested in a competition – with awards of the coveted wooden, plastic, and silver spoons going to the winners!


The AGM followed in the afternoon.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

NOTICE: Annual General Meeting Of Haskap Canada


Official Notice of 2010 Annual General Meeting


1) Haskap Canada Association AGM will be held on Saturday February 20th, 2010 at
10:00 AM to 2:30 PM in Room 2E25 Agriculture Building, University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, SK. All members and interested individuals/parties are invited to attend.

There will be a cost of $20 for all attendants to cover the cost of lunch, wine and product sampling.

Please let us know if you plan to attend by sending a RSVP email to committee@haskap.ca


2) Outline of 2009 activities

The Board was actively involved in various projects and started numerous initiatives based on our association’s mandate. Here is a list of some of the activities:

· Planned and held the 2009 Annual General Meeting - February 28th. 2009. New directors: Craig Larson, Marty Elder and Doug Eryou. After the meeting everyone enjoyed Haskap deserts and participated in a Haskap wine tasting event.

· Held Directors meetings to plan Haskap Days at the University of Saskatchewan.

· Printed brochures describing our association for distribution to the public

· Attended various events under the SFGA banner: Gardenscape, SFGA field day, Haskap Days

· Attended a federal/ provincial workshop on funding initiatives: CAAP, Agri-Invest program, SAVI program

· Initiated a CAAP funding request for marketing/promotional material (Put on hold until March/April 2010)

· Checked into the opportunities with the Canadian Trade commissioner on the GOA (global opportunities association)

· Started the process with the Agri- marketing program for Canada Branding and funding for export development

· Applied for the Student Assisted Business and Marketing Plan Program for funding


3) Annual Haskap product competition

Will you be attending Haskap Canada's Annual General Meeting On Feb 20, 2010?

Are you going to the SFGA Conference (Jan 15 & 16) or live close to the University Of SK?

IF so, you may be able to obtain Haskap fruit from the U of SK to use in Our Haskap product competition as part of Haskap Canada's Annual General Meeting. Contact Bob Bors (bob.bors@usask.ca) to arrange a pick up time. There will be a charge of $10 per litre of fruit if you get it from the U of SK and a $10 entry fee.

If you have your own Haskap fruit, you don't have to buy it from the U of SK.

Proceeds will be used to fund student Haskap projects and to buy prizes for the winners of the Competition.

There will be prizes for: Most Original, Best tasting, Most Beautiful, and a Grand Prize.

Note: Bob Bors will only be selling the U of SK fruit to those who are entering the competition, so be prepared to pay your entry fee when you pick up your fruit.


4) 2009 / 2010 membership renewals are now due

Haskap In The News (No. 1)


Expansion and haskaps on the agenda for FDC in 2010, Portage Daily Graphic:
http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2249314

Industry / Grower Benefits, Government of Alberta:
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/newslett.nsf/all/snack15896

Blue Honeysuckle Berries Gaining In Popularity Among Western Growers, Fruit and Vegetable Magazine:
http://www.fruitandveggie.com/content/view/2172/

On the Edge of a Fruit Breakthrough, Growing Magazine:
http://www.growingmagazine.com/article.php?id=3838

Learning From the Best, National Research Council:
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/education/students/aventis/sabc_2009.html

The sanofi-aventis BioTalent Challenge, National Research Council:
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/education/students/aventis/index.html

News Releases - Saskatoon high school student wins top honours in national biotech competition, National Research Council:
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/news/nrc/2009/05/06/sanofi-aventis-biotalent.html

Le Défi BioTalent sanofi aventis, Conseil national de recherches Canada:
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/fra/education/etudiants/aventis/index.html

Apprendre des meilleurs, Conseil national de recherches Canada:
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/fra/education/etudiants/aventis/dbsa_2009.html

Communiqués de presse - Un élève du secondaire de Saskatoon lauréat d'un concours national de biotechnologie, Conseil national de recherches Canada:
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/fra/actualites/cnrc/2009/05/06/biotalent-sanofi-aventis.html

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Annual General Meeting - 2010

The Annual General Meeting for the Haskap Canada Association will take place on Saturday, February 20th, 2010. The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM and run until 2:30 PM in Room #2E25 in the Agriculture Building located on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK. There will be a cost of $20 which will cover the cost of lunch, wine, and other product samples.

If you plan to attend please send a RSVP email to: committee@haskap.ca.

See you there!