Growing Forward Success Stories
Maple Discovery - Promoting Cuisine with a Delicious Canadian Twist
In October 2010, more than 200 participants took part in a unique recipe contest in Japan, held by the Fédération des producteurs acéricoles du Québec (FPAQ), that featured maple syrup as the main ingredient.
Canada GAP - On-Farm Food Safety System Helps Horticulture Producers Meet Market Demand
The CHC first launched its food safety system program for horticulture producers across Canada, CanadaGAP, in September 2008. In May 2010, the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), managed by The Consumer Good Forum, gave full recognition to the CanadaGAP program.
The Rewards of Learning a New Skill
Farming in Canada today is a modern, progressive business drawing new farmers with a non-farm background and nudging long-time farmers along to keep pace with changing technology. The Canada - PEI Growing Forward Business Development Program in Prince Edward Island provides up to $8,000 in training for each participant and up to $16,000 per farm for farm related skills and learning activities.
Something Old is New Again
Rick and Jeanita Rand of Port Williams in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley were faced with a quandary about the future of their dairy operation, Fox Hill Farm. With assistance from Growing Forward, the Rand's have expanded their cheese house operation to include a facility for processing their milk and selling it in returnable glass bottles.
Harvesting Success - Protecting the Environment is Our Priority!
It's possible to operate a farm and protect the environment at the same time! Pierre-Luc Nadeau, co-owner of a veal calf farm in Saint-Isidore in the Beauce region, took advantage of the Prime-Vert program to plant windbreak hedges, stabilize drain outlets and install riprap along certain waterways, which had a positive impact on the environment.
Visit the Ministère de l'agriculture, pêcheries et alimentation (in French only) Web site for more success stories.
New Brunswick Dairy Farmers Embrace Innovation and New Technologies
A Canada/New Brunswick Growing Forward initiative is encouraging research and innovation as a way to support profitability and sustainability in the agriculture sector. Two New Brunswick dairy farms recently opened the barn doors to showcase their on-farm innovation to the general public and industry partners.
Putting it Down on Paper - Workshops Help These Three Families Evaluate Their Farm Business
An important step for the McLarty's farm business plans was attending a Grow Your Farm Profits workshop, offered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) in December 2009. After the workshop, Sue and Ken developed an action plan for their farm, reviewed it with the OSCIA workshop leader, and with an approved plan were then eligible to apply for cost-share funding.
Growing Forward Funds Environment Projects in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Growing Forward program has provided funding in Newfoundland and Labrador for projects that enhance the environmental stewardship of the agriculture and agrifoods industry. Many farms in the province have taken advantage of available funding to complete projects that enable those businesses to implement Best Management Practices in areas such as: water, chemical, and manure management.
Planning helps producers avoid water shortages and protect water supply
Corrosion in the well led Young to contact the original well driller. "We gave him some particulars about what was happening,"
says Young," and before drilling, he told us about Growing Forward's Water Management program. It was a blessing really, to have that program available."
Maintaining a Safe Food Supply
When consumers grab their knives and forks for dinner, they can take comfort in knowing that crop and livestock producers are helping to keep their food safe. On-Farm Food Safety (OFFS) Programs set out the standards of safety and cleanliness for producers to follow on their farm.
Visit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture for more success stories.
Manitoba producers leading the way in food safety
Manitoba grain and pork producers are at the forefront of two innovative programs that are setting new standards for food safety. Growing Forward has helped the industry seize these new opportunities.
Visit the Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives for more success stories.
Manure Treatment Project Benefits Multiple Farms
Three farming operations in the Fraser Valley made the decision to work together on a solid-liquid separation system to benefit all of their operations and mitigate potential environmental risk. By applying for funding as a "pooled project"
, they were able to more effective use of the cost share funding available through the Canada-British Columbia Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Program.
Canada's Verified Beef Production Program Continues Solid Growth
Canada's on-farm food safety program for beef, the Verified Beef Production (VBP) program, continues to attract strong beef producer participation across the country. This is good news for the national beef industry which is aggressively building its international brand on buyer confidence.