Canada and B.C. targeted investments are supporting business development, innovation, food safety, and sustainability under the Growing Forward Agreement in the first quarter of fiscal 2011-12. Growing Forward is a five-year framework that co-ordinates federal, provincial and territorial agriculture policy.

Between April and June 2011, the following investments were released under Growing Forward:

Organization, Program and Amount

ARDCorp, Agri-Environmental Assessments (Environmental Farm Plans): $273,500

ARDCorp, On-Farm Sustainable Agriculture Practices (BMPs): $168,000

ARDCorp, Food Safety Producers Program: $176,500

ARDCorp, Traceability Enterprise Infrastructure Program (EIT): $109,100

BC Blueberry Council, Emerging Threat Assessment - Spotted Wing Drosophila and the Cherry Fruitworm: $14,000

BC Broiler Hatching Egg Commission, Food Safety for Salmonella: $15,250

BC Cattlemen's Association, Farm Succession Planning Seminars: $25,000

BC Cranberry Marketing, Business Development Unit - management speakers at a Short Course: $3,500

BC Fruit Growers Association, Emerging Threat Assessment - Spotted Wing Drosophila: $16,500

BC Greenhouse Growers Association, Biosecurity Program for Greenhouse Tomatoes: $8,400

BC Pork Producers, Business Development Unit - Business Management Speakers: $3,500

BC Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, Pemberton Seed Potato Area: $7,625

BC Sustainable Poultry Farming Group, Environmental Health: $13,402

BCIT, Provenance Authentication and Product Quality Analysis for B.C.: $70,000

Cowichan Valley Regional District Economic Development Division, Vancouver Island Agricultural Show Speaker: $2,500

Life Sciences BC, Bioenergy and Bioproducts Outreach Program: $50,800

Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Association, Business Development Unit - The Annual Horticulture Growers' Short Course: $15,000

Nuu-cha-nulth Economic Development Corporation, Agro-Forestry and Riparian Stewardship: $37,500

Pacific Field Corn Association, Web-based Nitrogen Management Tool: $10,000

TOTAL: $1,020,077

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:
Sharon Dean
Communications Manager
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-1674