With one week remaining before it opens its doors, Sask Young Ag (SYA) is preparing to welcome young agriculture leaders from across the province to Saskatoon for the Proudly Ag Conference 2026, its flagship annual gathering focused on leadership development, industry insight and professional connection.
The conference will take place on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon, bringing together young producers, ag professionals, entrepreneurs and industry partners for a full day of programming designed to support the future of Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector. The event also incorporates Sask Young Ag’s Annual General Meeting, providing members with an opportunity to review organizational priorities and governance.
Founded to support and connect young people working in agriculture, Sask Young Ag has positioned the Proudly Ag Conference as a cornerstone event for developing leadership capacity within the province’s ag community. Organizers say the conference reflects the evolving needs of a sector facing generational transition, economic pressures and increasing demands for innovation.
“This conference is about celebrating agriculture, building confidence, and equipping the next generation of leaders with practical tools they can use right away,” said Kaitlyn Kitzan, General Manager from Sask Young Ag. “We’re excited to welcome attendees for a day of meaningful conversations, industry insight, and connection.”
The 2026 program features a mix of keynote presentations, panel discussions and interactive sessions aimed at addressing both strategic and day-to-day challenges facing young professionals in agriculture. A central highlight of the conference is the keynote address, The Future Leader: The Successor’s Guide to Family Business Leadership, delivered by Patti Durand. The session will focus on succession planning, leadership transition and the complexities of family-run agricultural businesses, an issue facing many farms and ag enterprises across Saskatchewan.
In addition to the keynote, the conference agenda includes industry panels examining the current state of Saskatchewan agriculture, with discussions expected to touch on market conditions, policy considerations and emerging trends affecting producers and agribusinesses. Practical breakout sessions will address topics such as finance and innovation, offering attendees tools and insights they can apply directly within their operations or organizations.
Networking remains a core component of the Proudly Ag Conference. Structured “Table Talk” discussions are designed to encourage peer-to-peer learning and conversation across different segments of the agriculture industry. Organizers say these sessions help break down silos between primary producers, ag service providers, finance professionals and entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
The day will conclude with surprise entertainment, adding a celebratory element to the conference and reinforcing its focus on community-building within Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector.
The Proudly Ag Conference typically attracts participants from a wide range of agricultural backgrounds, including primary production, agribusiness, finance, marketing and ag services. This diversity is viewed as a strength of the event, reflecting the interconnected nature of the modern ag economy and the importance of cross-sector collaboration.
As Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry continues to navigate workforce transitions and increasing complexity, events like the Proudly Ag Conference play a role in preparing emerging leaders to step into expanded responsibilities. SYA positions the conference as both a learning opportunity and a platform for relationship-building that can support long-term career development.
Registration for the Proudly Ag Conference 2026 remains open, though organizers note that space is limited and filling quickly. Additional information, including registration details and the full conference agenda, is available through Sask Young Ag’s website.
Sask Young Ag is a member-driven organization dedicated to supporting young people involved in agriculture through education, leadership development and networking opportunities. By convening industry voices and fostering connections, the organization aims to strengthen the future of Saskatchewan agriculture and ensure the next generation is equipped to lead.
Media inquiries related to the conference can be directed to Kaitlyn Kitzan, General Manager of Sask Young Ag, at 306-521-0643 or [email protected].
