(Development and Rural Renewal)

Agriculture initiative plants seed for entrepreneurship and training

The Lower Trinity South Development Association (LTSDA) will receive $175,074 to undertake an agriculture entrepreneurship and training initiative in economic zone 17.

The funding from the Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative, was announced today by Fred Mifflin, MP, Bonavista-Trinity-Conception on behalf of the Honourable George Baker, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Lloyd Snow, MHA for Trinity-Bay de Verde, on behalf of Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal.

The initiative involves the acquisition of 50 acres of farm land located between Heart�s Content and Heart�s Desire. The LTSDA, in conjunction with the Department of Forest Resources and Agri-Foods (DFRA) and the Baccalieu Board of Economic Development (Zone 17), will provide a training/learning environment for existing farmers, potential new entrants and young people.

"By keeping this farm intact, we can use it as a centre for continued agricultural development in the region," said Mr. Mifflin. "With just four per cent of the province�s agricultural requirements being produced locally, this initiative provides an excellent opportunity to develop a much stronger human resource base for commercial farming and supplementary family farms throughout the region."

Mr. Snow suggested this initiative will actually serve to accelerate the development of the local produce market. "Newfoundland growers are responding to increased demands for a variety of vegetables. This initiative is intended to provide farmers with the skills necessary for growing and marketing these products. As well, this venture, while expanding the agriculture sector in the province, will also provide meaningful employment to displaced fishers and others."

The Department of Forest Resources and Agri-Foods has committed to providing three, one-year 13 course Vegetable Production Training Programs focusing on topics ranging from soil and land management to crop storage and growing transplants.

The three-year $81.25 million Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) was signed on August 16, 1999. The agreement is designed to build upon the strategic plans and priorities of the Regional Economic Development Boards to improve the long-term economic climate in regions impacted by the downturn in the groundfish industry.

It is delivered federally by ACOA and provincially by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.

For more information, please contact:

Doug Burgess
ACOA
(709) 772-2935

Josephine Cheeseman
Department of Development and Rural Renewal
(709) 729-4570