New farmers, innovative projects, and more resources to support Newfoundland and Labrador’s vital and expanding agriculture sector are at the heart of Canadian Agricultural Partnership initiatives for 2020-21.
To date, 156 projects valued at $7 million have been approved under the federal-provincial-territorial partnership in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2020-21 fiscal year. In 2019-20, 114 projects valued at $6.5 million were funded, and 121 projects valued at $5.8 million were funded in 2018-19.
The partnership continues to support new entrants who have farmed or operated an agri-business for less than six years. Forty-four new entrants have been approved for 68 projects valued at $1.9 million to date this fiscal year. Most new entrants in 2020-21 are focusing on horticulture and livestock production, with some engaging in secondary processing, apiculture, and dairy operations.
Funding for agricultural land development will nearly double in 2020-21 compared to the previous year, with nearly $1.5 million allocated to improve, clear and survey more land for future development, and construct more on-farm access roads.
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is providing $37 million over five years to the Newfoundland and Labrador agriculture and agri-food industry. Since 2018-19, it has provided more than $19 million to fund nearly 400 projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, and has allocated more than $4 million to 73 new entrants.
Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador’s agriculture sector is growing thanks to the hard-working, innovative farmers behind every one of our Canadian Agricultural Partnership projects. Whether it is a social enterprise like Food First NL working to support youth and increase food security, berry farmers like Garland Smith finding new ways to extend our growing season, or new Canadians like Jonathon Omiachi expanding and filling a gap to process more locally grown livestock – these folks are taking agriculture to new heights. The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture is extremely pleased to play a role in this success.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
“Our agricultural sector has a tremendous story to tell as a significant driver of Canada’s economy, and a key to ensuring Canadians continue to have healthy food on their grocery store shelves and kitchen tables during this challenging time. This partnership emphasizes our commitment to working with Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure targeted investments in priority areas that benefit the entire sector through increased productivity, jobs and growth in communities across the province.”
Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau
Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
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Media contacts
Linda Skinner
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca
Jean-Sébastien Comeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
343-549-2326
jean-sebastien.comeau@canada.ca
BACKGROUNDER
A Sample of Canadian Agricultural Partnership Projects Approved for the 2020-21 Fiscal Year
Agriculture Business Program: Online Food Hub, Food First NL
Food First NL is conducting a pilot project for the Humber Valley area of Western Newfoundland to assess feasibility of a food hub to connect consumers with farmers through a shared, online marketplace. Based on the successful model of the Cape Breton Food Hub, Food First NL is partnering with Choices for Youth – an agency serving at-risk youth to create jobs.
Agriculture Growth and Innovation Program: Crop Protection/Season Extension, Garland Smith, Central U-Pick
Garland Smith is a berry producer located at Wooddale in Central Newfoundland, who used his CAP investment to install floating row covers to protect his berry crops and extend the strawberry season well into the fall.
Agriculture Processing and Value-Added Program: Meat Processing Facility, Omiachi Meat Shop
Jonathon Omiachi of Victoria is a new entrant to the agriculture sector and a new Canadian. Through CAP funding, he will increase his meat shop’s capacity to process more locally grown livestock.
Future Farms Program: Leadership Summit Series, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture, Young Farmers Forum
Usually an annual in-person workshop, the 2020 Young Farmers Forum was a virtual event that covered three themes: Succession Planning, Entrepreneurship, and Marketing. Fifty-nine participants took part in the virtual sessions.
Mitigating Agricultural Risks Program: COVID-19 Mitigation Measures, Legge’s Poultry Farm
To address COVID-19 regulations, Legge’s Poultry Farm in Harbour Main needed to expand their lunchroom to allow for physical distancing between employees. The farm also rented a mobile unit to use as an additional lunchroom to ensure the safety of their employees while the expansion was taking place.
Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Program: Alternative Energy, Smiling Land Farm
Located in Bay Bulls, Smiling Land Farm is a new entrant farming vegetables, forage, bees and duck eggs. CAP funding will enable the farm to install a solar panel system to provide a sustainable energy source for duck egg production.
Agriculture Business Program: On-Farm Market, Spring Meadow Farm Inc.
Spring Meadow Farm near Springdale in Central Newfoundland has constructed an on-farm market, including display freezers and coolers that add storage capacity for fresh and processed meats and vegetables. This investment has allowed the farm to increase production, expand product diversity, and improve product availability in the off-season.
Advancing Public Trust Program: COVID-19 Workshop, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture
A virtual workshop addressing the timely theme of “Combatting COVID-19 within the Agriculture Industry” will take place in January 2021. Speakers will focus on the challenges and opportunities the COVID-19 pandemic has created for the local agriculture industry.
Agriculture Growth and Innovation Program: Vegetable Storage Facility, Spruce Meadow Farm
Spruce Meadow Farm Ltd. in Happy Valley-Goose Bay was provided CAP funding to construct a vegetable storage facility that will enable the farm to store vegetables longer, and support food self-sufficiency in Labrador.