Canada and B.C. targeted funding to support business development, innovation, food safety, and sustainability under the Growing Forward agreement in the first quarter of 2012-13. Growing Forward is a five-year framework that co-ordinates federal, provincial and territorial agricultural policy.

Between April 1 and June 30, 2012, the following funding was released under Growing Forward:

• ARDCorp: $89,400 for Food Safety System Implementation (FFSI) Producer Program.
• ARDCorp: $94,500 for Enterprise Infrastructure Traceability (EIT) Program.
• ARDCorp: $220,500 for Environmental Farm Planning Program (EFP).
• ARDCorp: $274,100 for Beneficial Management Practices Program (BMP).
• B.C. Food Processors Association: $5,000 for FoodProWest 2012 - Professional Development Day.
• B.C. Women's Institute: $3,500 in support of a speaker at a farm succession planning seminar.
• Cowichan Valley Regional District: $5,000 in support for farm business management speakers at the Islands Agricultural Show, February 2013.
• Food Innovation Centre of B.C.: $136, 647 for provision of services to the food processing sector.
• Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Society: $10,000 in support of farm business management speakers at the 2013 Growers Short Course.

Total contributions: $838,647

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.

In September 2012, federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture agreed to the next policy framework, Growing Forward 2, which represents a $3 billion investment over five years in strategic initiatives for innovation, competitiveness and market development. It will come into effect on April 1, 2013, when the current Growing Forward policy framework expires.

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

For more information on Growing Forward 2, visit: www.agr.gc.ca/GrowingForward2

Media Contact:

Kathryn Hardy
Ministry of Agriculture
250 387-1693