Targeted funding from Canada and B.C. supports business development, innovation, food safety, and sustainability under the Growing Forward Agreement in the fourth quarter. Growing Forward is a five-year framework that co-ordinates federal, provincial and territorial agriculture policy.

Between January and March 2011, the following funding was released under Growing Forward:

Organization Amount Program ARDCorp $213,940 Traceability Enterprise Infrastructure Program ARDCorp $925,500 On-Farm Sustainable Agriculture Practices (BMPs) ARDCorp $195,300 Agri-Environmental Assessments, Environmental Farm Planning Program ARDCorp $189,499 Agri-Food Business Development Program ARDCorp $297,000 Food Safety Systems Implementation Program - Producers ARDCorp $30,000 Science and Innovation - On-Farm Wind Feasibility Assessment initiative ARDCorp $20,000 Science and Innovation - Advancing Biobased Opportunities initiative BC Broiler Hatching Egg Commission $20,250 Food Safety Systems Implementation Program BC Cattlemen's Association in partnership with Windermere District Farmers Institute $7,420 Sustainable Agriculture Management Program - Windermere Demonstration Project BC Grain Producers Association $2,000 Farm Business Development program BC Institute of Technology $238,000 Science and Innovation - Product Quality Program BC Milk Producers' Association $1,500 Science and Innovation - Advancing Biobased Opportunities initiative BC Pork Producers Association $18,000 Agri-Food Business Development Program

BC Sustainable Poultry Farming Group $21,357.07 Growing Forward Air Quality Program Certified Organic Associations of BC $5,725 Agri-Food Business Development Program College of the Rockies $4,000 Agri-Food Business Development Program

Fraser Valley Regional District $2,500 Agricultural Plastics Recycling Demonstration Project LifeSciences British Columbia $38,500 Science and Innovation - Advancing Biobased Opportunities initiative Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Association $8,000 Science and Innovation - Advancing Biobased Opportunities initiative Nechako Valley Regional Cattlemen's Association $1,300 AgriFood Business Development Program North Okanagan Livestock Association $3,000 Agri-Food Business Development Program Peace River Forage Association $2,400 Agri-Food Business Development Program Small Scale Food Processor Association $623,808.90 Food Safety Systems Implementation Program - Processors West Kootenay Herb Growers Association $3,500 Agri-Food Business Development Program TOTAL $2,872,499.97 A total of $4,659,166.28 has been paid out to industry during the 2010-2011 fiscal year. These funds are part of the $78 million being invested in a number of non-business risk management programs designed to help farmers and other participants in the agricultural and agri-food industry increase their competitiveness and profitability.

The Growing Forward agreement also includes up to $475 million in B.C. to help provide income stability and insurance against losses through business risk management programs.

For more information on Growing Forward programs visit: http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/apf/GF_Programs.html

Contact:

Caroline McAndrews

Communications Manager

Ministry of Agriculture

250 356-1674

Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect