This series consists of administrative and operational records created, accumulated and used by the Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture between 1905 and 1987. Some early correspondence in the records extends back to 1892 [see notes].
The records reflect the extensive communication of the office with branches of the department; other government departments; the University of Saskatchewan; agricultural associations, societies, cooperatives and credit unions; and the federal government during the course of departmental administration of programmes, policy development, as well as local, provincial and federal-provincial initiatives in the agricultural sector. Records related to the department's management of Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Act (ARDA) projects and the Land Utilization Board are also included.
Subject matters covered in the correspondence of the Deputy Minister include the following: farm labour, grazing and community pastures, farm relief, insurance, credit unions, soil conservation, flood control, coal supplies, settlement, grain handling and transportation, agricultural and horticultural societies, exhibitions, branch management, development of legislation, rural municipalities, and royal commissions.
The types of records included are correspondence, memoranda, agendas and minutes, directives, publications, newspaper clippings, legislation, press releases, reports, submissions and speeches. Maps, photographs, architectural and technical drawings are found in the series.
SAFA 172 has been arranged into two sub-series: Non-Numerical Records Classification System; and Numerical Records Classification System. No sub-series assignment has been applied to the records contained in old guides GR 6 and GR 6-2.
Saskatchewan. Department of Agriculture