Stateside: USDA to provide $2B to specialty crop growers
The U.S. National Potato Council (NPC) is celebrating news that the United States Department of Agriculture will provide $2 billion to assist specialty crop growers to “maintain a strong domestic supply” in the face of extreme production costs and competition. In a statement following the announcement, NPC president Bob Mattive said the announcement was welcome following the cumulative challenges on the U.S. potato industry since 2020. The announcement, said Mattive, “recognizes these ongoing pressures and offers the opportunity for economic relief to impacted family farms.”
Ontario funding available through three initiatives
The governments of Canada and Ontario are still accepting applications two initiatives aimed to support greater workforce diversity and on-farm sustainability. These programs are: the Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative, the Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative and Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program. Applications are still being accepted for both of these programs, and the Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative is scheduled to close next Tuesday (Dec. 3). The funding is available through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). By 2028, it is estimated that $569 million will be available in Sustainable CAP funding through a broad suite of initiatives.
CFIA updates regulations for Lloydminster
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently updated the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations to address the unique food trade barriers for Lloydminster, which spans both provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The changes now exempt Alberta and Saskatchewan food businesses from the federal interprovincial trade requirements when preparing and trading food to or within Lloydminster. For example, a retailer in Lloydminster, Alta., selling agricultural products and prepared foods like sandwiches, previously could not sell to stores just meters away in Lloydminster, Sask., without a Safe Food for Canadians licence. The aim of the initiative is to facilitate better local trade within Lloydminster and increase economic growth and competitiveness.
Manitoba groups come together to increase province’s research capacity
The Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) and Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG) are investing $691,591 in Manitoba Diversification Centres to increase the province’s research capacity. This is a result of a recent MCA study that highlighted equipment, infrastructure and land, funding programs and human resources as the four main challenges to expanding research. This funding will enable the diversification centres to purchase new or specialized equipment. The investment will be directed to the Manitoba Crop Diversification Centre (MCDC), Parkland Crop Diversification Foundation (PCDF), Prairies East Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (PESAI) and Westman Agricultural Diversification Organization (WADO).
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