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NLIS 2
June 21, 2001
(Industry, Trade and Rural Development)

 

Official opening of Heart�s Content Experimental and Training Facility

Federal, provincial and municipal officials were on hand today for the official opening of a new experimental farm that is designed to promote the agriculture industry in the Heart�s Content region.

The development of the 66-acre farm, which is located between Heart�s Content and Heart�s Desire is designed to act as a training area for existing and potential farmers and as an entrepreneurial and training facility for youth interested in the agriculture industry.

Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry, said he was impressed with the progress that the developers have made since the project was first announced two years ago. "This farm provides an excellent opportunity to develop a much stronger human resource base for commercial farmers and supplementary family farms throughout the region."

The project was supported through the Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) which contributed $175,074 to the initiative; the Canada-Newfoundland Labour Market Development Initiative and the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods which provided $29,500 in direct contributions and in-kind services.

The farm is an initiative of the Lower Trinity South Development Association (LTSDA) and the Mariner Resource Opportunities Network (Zone 17) which has established a regional board of directors to oversee the development of the project. In addition to the 66-acres of land, the farm has a modern barn, a 100-foot hot house and extensive agricultural equipment.

The provincial government in its "Final Report on the Renewal Strategy for Jobs and Growth" identified agrifoods as a growing industry which combined with food processing generates close to $500 million a year. "Consumer demands for locally produced food is growing, particularly for speciality crops such as cranberries and organically grown foods," said Beaton Tulk, Minister of Industry Trade and Rural Development.

"This training facility will enable people to enter an industry which offers a significant opportunity to strengthen and diversify our rural economy."

Area MHA Lloyd Snow said this project will benefit the region economically and socially. "This initiative will generate a greater awareness of the agriculture industry in the region and create the potential for new agricultural opportunities for residents in the area, especially our youth."

Mr. Francis Glynn, president of the Lower Trinity South Regional Development Association said he is quite pleased with the progress of the farm thus far and stresses that this accomplishment would have been non-existent without the involvement of all partners. "A special thank you is extended to these partners for their continued support and diligent work."

The Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods will provide 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 two years ago. 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.

The agreement is delivered federally by ACOA and provincially by the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development.

For further information, please contact:

Heidi Bonnell
Communications Director
Office of the Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001

Jennifer Savoy
Press Secretary
Robert G. Thibault
Minister of State for ACOA
(613) 941-7291

Doug Burgess
ACOA
(709) 772-2935

Josephine Cheeseman
Director of Communications
Industry Trade and Rural Development
(709) 729-4570

Francis Glynn
President, Lower Trinity South Development Association
(709) 583-2016

2001 06 21                                                             11:00 a.m.


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