Agriculture Awareness Month

Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods Rick Woodford announced today that October is Agriculture Awareness Month in Newfoundland and Labrador and a time for us to celebrate the important contribution that agriculture makes to our provincial economy.

Minister Woodford said October is a special time highlighted each year across the country to reflect on how valuable our agriculture sector is and the opportunities that exist for future growth and prosperity.

"Our agriculture industry employs over 4,000 people in our province and is valued at $500 million to our economy. The industry is experiencing continued growth, especially in the area of diversification and value-added," said Minister Woodford. "Many opportunities still exist that will help our agrifoods industry realize its full potential and government is committed to building on these opportunities, thus strengthening and diversifying our rural communities."

Mr. Woodford added that the industry is becoming more innovative and important advances are being made through research and development initiatives in such areas as corn production, cranberries, medicinal herbs and Seabuckthorn.

"Government is proud to be working with industry in many initiatives, including research and development to further advance our agrifoods sector and produce safe food and high quality products," said the minister. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the industry for their hard work and dedication to moving our agrifoods sector forward."

The minister also said the department�s annual Agriculture Awareness Campaign got underway this week, which will feature a series of television and newspaper ads throughout the fall promoting our agriculture industry. "Newfoundland and Labrador has a dynamic agriculture industry, continually growing and diversifying, and producing safe, high quality products. Government is committed to increasing public awareness of the importance of our agriculture sector to our social and economic well being."

In celebration of Agriculture Awareness Month, Mr. Woodford is encouraging everyone to buy local agricultural products at the grocery store, which helps ensure future prosperity for our agriculture industry and viable rural economies. He is also inviting the public to participate in Open Farm Day, which is taking place on October 6. Open Farm Day will see 135 farms from the Atlantic region open their doors to the public and allow them to see first hand the importance of agriculture to our economic and social well being. Eight farms in this province will be participating. A list of locations is available on the department�s Web site at www.gov.nl.ca//www.gov.nl.ca/agric/events.htm or by calling (709) 637-2086.

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover, Communications Director, (709) 729-6183.

2002 10 01                                         3:15 p.m.