The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, today announced that funding is available through the 2018-19 Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program to help existing farmers and new entrants improve the economic viability of the province’s agriculture and agrifoods industry.

The province will invest $2.75 million this year with priority given to projects that support food self-sufficiency, increase agricultural growth, increase secondary processing and generate employment. Applicants must have reported a minimum of $15,000 in eligible agriculture sales or qualify as a new entrant to be eligible for the program.

To encourage and support new farmers in the industry, new entrants in 2018-19 can also now qualify for up to $20,000 in funding under the Agriculture Infrastructure program.

The 2018-19 Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program falls within two streams focusing on land development and agriculture infrastructure. More details can be found in the backgrounder below.

This initiative delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

Quotes
“Both The Way Forward and the Agriculture Sector Work Plan identify specific action items to achieve targets for agricultural growth – namely, to increase Newfoundland and Labrador’s food self-sufficiency to at least 20 per cent by 2022, increase secondary processing of food products, and generate employment within the agriculture industry. I encourage eligible farmers and new entrants to apply for Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program funding to help us achieve that goal.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources

“The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture welcomes the announcement of the Provincial Agriculture Assistance Program, which helps existing farmers and new entrants to the industry continue to build our province’s agriculture and agrifoods sector. We look forward to collaborating with government and working with farmers to help ensure food security and generate employment in Newfoundland and Labrador.” 
Merv Wiseman
President, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture

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Learn More
Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program – www.faa.gov.nl.ca/programs/index

Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture – www.nlfa.ca/ 

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL  and @FLR_GovNL 

Media contacts
Linda Skinner
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca 

Merv Wiseman
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture
709-689-5735
mervinwiseman@yahoo.ca

Backgrounder

The 2018-19 Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program has two streams:

Land Development

• Rough clearing is reimbursed at $1,500 per acre and enhancement is reimbursed at $1,500 per acre.
• There is no funding limit under the land development program. Funding offers will be prorated based on program demand.

Agriculture Infrastructure

• Eligible project costs are reimbursed at 50 per cent for applicants (75 per cent for pastures). Eligible expenses include equipment purchase, facility and building construction, site development, and third-party labour.
• Funding limits are based on tiered farm income ranging from $20,000 for new entrants to $75,000 for applicants with over $100,000 in agriculture sales.

Regional community pastures can qualify for up to $30,000 in funding for land development, pasture enhancements and capital costs.