Double Provincial Food Self-Sufficiency by 2022

Significant Progress

Way Forward Commitment:

Our government has committed to increase the province’s food self-sufficiency to at least 20 per cent and is working with farmers and other partners as part of The Way Forward on Agriculture to achieve this goal. In 2018-19, our government will implement a pilot project to serve locally farmed products in public health facilities. This coming year, we will also supply producers with at-cost fruit and vegetable seedlings for priority crops. To do this, we will leverage the newly formed provincial Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Development in Wooddale to pilot a project that identifies the inputs and practices necessary for optimal transplant production. Our government will also identify a way to provide abattoir services to producers in Labrador to support the establishment of viable local livestock operations.

What We’ve Accomplished:

  • An ‘agri-truck’ and promotional booth have been created serve as a travelling pavilion. Together, these products function to increase public awareness of our local agriculture industry, and demonstrate opportunities and supports that exist for prospective, new and existing farmers in this province.
  • Agricultural Industry Facilitators have been identified to provide consultative and advisory support for crop and livestock development. The facilitators consist of both agrologists and Agriculture Development Officers.
  • On October 23, 2017, FLR launched the Agriculture Sector Workplan which includes 43 actions to support increased agriculture growth, food security and food self-sufficiency.
  • The newly formed Center for Agriculture and Forestry Development in Wooddale was established on October 23, 2017.
  • Access and approval improvements have been made to Crown lands designated for agricultural use including prioritization of agricultural use applications, a new online Land Use Inquiry Map, implementation of a toll free dedicated line and email, a 90 day business service standard and a commitment to eliminate Crown land application backlogs and the launch of an online fillable PDF application form. We are meeting the 90 day service standard for the majority of applications. The only exception to this is where applications are more complicated and require additional planning or review. An example of this is applications that trigger Environmental Assessment or require additional review due to sensitivities related to competing land uses.
  • A pilot project to undertake large-scale land development with a focus on new agriculture sector entrants was announced on February 1, 2018 with considerable interest expressed by new entrants. Premier Ball announced the successful candidate on May 10, 2018. FLR’s second land development project was advertised on December 11, 2018 and the selection meeting was held on January 23, 2019 to review the applications. The successful applicants were announced by Minster Byrne at the Federation of Agriculture Annual General Meeting held on January 30, 2019 in Gander. Angela Richardson and Michael Alexander are the successful new entrants and have been offered to lease approximately 19.9 acres of agricultural land, located on Pine Avenue, Cormack, NL.
  • A review of existing funding programs to create more opportunities to support new entrants in entering the agriculture sector was completed and the Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program (PAAP) funding for new entrants was increased from $5,000 to $20,000 for 2018-19.
  • A regulatory review of all Agriculture legislation has commenced.
  • Three potential projects for red meat slaughter facilities have been identified.
  • Agricultural land has been identified for expansion in Labrador and a consultation process is occurring for new entrants and existing farmers to make use of this land.
  • A resource listing of all agricultural financial and sector supports has been developed.
  • Workforce Innovation Centre project funding was provided to the Association for New Canadians, in partnership with Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus, to develop and implement a program connecting refugees to employment opportunities in the province’s agriculture sector.
    • The Bridging the Divide Project aims to connect skilled newcomers (refugees) to opportunities in the province’s agriculture and secondary processing industries over the course of a three year period. Thirty refugee participants from five countries are enrolled in the pilot, with an average of 14 years of agriculture experience. A total of 23 farms have been engaged in the project to date.
    • In the first phase of the project, the Association for New Canadians conducted an assessment of needs of farmers and processors across the province, and the assessment of existing skills amongst refugee participants was gathered to support skills matching for the pilot and preparatory training. In the next phase, participants will undergo a tailored pre-employment training program before moving into job placements.
  • On July 27, 2018, the Provincial Government announced that it is making six additional Agriculture Areas of Interest – totaling approximately 5,800 hectares – available to ensure prime agricultural land continues to be protected and secured for long-term use. Properties are now available in the Gander area, Roberts Arm, South Brook, Cormack and Crabbes River, bringing the total area of land available in the province to commercial farmers, part-time commercial farmers or new farmers to approximately 50,000 hectares.
  • On April 10, 2019, the Provincial Government launched the Community Garden Support Program to help community groups, municipalities and local service districts “get growing” with support from annual grants. Applications are now available online and proponents of new gardens must provide details on their development plans. The deadline for applications is May 8, 2019.
  • The 2019 Vegetable Transplant Program provided 1.7 million vegetable transplants to 54 commercial farmers at cost. This is an increase of the 255,800 transplants distributed to 25 farmers in 2018. The program is expected to result in approximately $1.6 million in combined revenues for proponents.

News Releases

$3.25 Million Committed to Provincial Agrifoods Program

Growing Forward 2 Contributes Millions to Agriculture Industry

Research Project on Viability of Growing Malting Barley Underway in Cormack

New Canadian Agricultural Partnership Provides $3 Billion to Further Grow Industry

Premier Ball Calls for Support in Advancing Food Security for Northern Communities Across Canada

Government Moving Forward with Second Beef Cattle Project

Agriculture Industry and Provincial Government Fostering Fertile Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador

Provincial Government Continues to Support Food Sustainability

Additional Land for Agriculture Development Now Available

Agriculture Land Development Pilot Project Launched in Western Region

Minister Byrne Unveils Initiatives to Improve Services within Crown Lands Division

Newfoundland and Labrador a Leader in Ensuring Land is Available for Farming

Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program Will Help Advance Industry Development

Canadian Agricultural Partnership to Grow Industry and Promote Food Self-sufficiency in Newfoundland and Labrador

Ensuring Agricultural Land for is Used for Agriculture: Six Additional Areas of Interest Secured for Future Farming

Minister Byrne Discusses Agriculture Research Activities, Views Wheat Harvest

Celebration of Agriculture Industry Focus of Several Province-wide Fall Festivals and Events

Provincial, Federal Governments Committed to Help the Agricultural Sector

Minister Byrne Meets with Professional Foresters, Tours Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Development

Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada Welcome New Entrants to Agriculture Industry

Minister Talks Future, Partnerships and Getting the Job Done at Federation of Agriculture AGM

Community Garden Support Program Aims to Increase Food Self-Sufficiency

Vegetable Transplant Program Continues to Support Food Self Sufficiency Goals