Farmers, producers, new entrants and representatives from community groups, government and non-government organizations working to improve food self-sufficiency in Newfoundland and Labrador are invited to register for the fourth biennial Agriculture Symposium being held November 20-22 at the Corner Brook Civic Centre. Details on ‘Our Food. Our Future – Growing Opportunities in Agriculture through Innovation and Collaboration’ can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/ourfoodourfuture/biennial-research-symposium/overview/.
Registration is free but space is limited and the deadline to register is November 16.
The Provincial and Federal Governments, through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), are providing $74,674 for the symposium, which is focuses on building a sustainable and robust food system.
The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources is partnering with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, Food First NL and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture to host the event that will highlight innovative research and initiatives, and provide information and networking opportunities to existing farmers and new entrants to inspire new and expanding agri-businesses.
Through CAP, the Provincial and Federal Governments will provide $37 million over five years to the Newfoundland and Labrador agriculture and agri-food industry.
Supporting agriculture also delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. 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
“Agriculture in Newfoundland and Labrador has tremendous potential for growth. The symposium provides up-to-date and relevant agriculture industry information to stakeholders. With government’s Way Forward commitment to increase food self-sufficiency this event will identify ways in which we can sustainably grow, diversify and market our local food while at the same time create jobs and increase economic activity.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Fisheries and Land Resources
“We are committed to work with the province, industry and academia to support science that contributes to the growth and development of Newfoundland and Labrador’s agricultural sector. The symposium provides a great forum to highlight how innovative the industry truly is and our commitment to create better opportunities for producers and all Canadians through agricultural research and innovation.”
Lawrence MacAulay
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“Grenfell Campus and Memorial University as a whole remain committed to being a leader in research and development in the agrifoods industry. Drawing upon our research and teaching specializations in areas such as boreal ecosystems, agricultural and sustainability sciences, and environmental policy, our faculty, staff and students are providing scientific and policy advice to help meet the critical, shared objective of enhanced food self-sufficiency and sustainability in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Our Food Our Future biennial agriculture symposium is an important opportunity to share our collective and growing knowledge base and to advance our efforts move in this direction. ”
Dr. Kelly Vodden, Associate Vice-president, Research and Graduate Studies
Grenfell Campus, Memorial University
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Learn more
Canadian Agricultural Partnership
Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program
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Media contacts
Connie Boland
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2923, 640-6409
Connieboland@gov.nl.ca
Katie Hawkins
Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
613-773-7972; 1-866-345-7972
Pamela Gill
Grenfell Campus, Memorial University
709-637-2187, 632-0936
pgill@grenfell.mun.ca