Posted on 04/03/2009, 6:58 am, by mySteinbach

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced details of new agricultural programs for farmers in Manitoba under the Growing Forward framework.  The announcement follows the signing of the Growing Forward bilateral and contribution agreements by the governments of Canada and Manitoba earlier today.
 
“Farmers expect all levels of government to work together to drive Canadian agriculture and this agreement is making that happen,” said Minister Ritz.  “Growing Forward delivers stable and bankable programs that work for farmers.  The agreement we signed today will kick-start the rollout of these essential programs in Manitoba.”
 
“This combined support for Manitoba’s diverse agriculture industry will help advance timely programs and products that will expand agricultural business opportunities,” said Minister Wowchuk.  “As new initiatives are created throughout the province, the ripple effect of the economic benefits will provide an even more positive growth factor in the future.”
 
Growing Forward is a national agriculture framework to coordinate federal and provincial agriculture policy.  Federal, provincial, and territorial governments are delivering $1.3 billion for farm families over five years.  Today’s agreement with Manitoba will deliver a total of $117.5 million from the federal and provincial governments for agriculture in this province.
 
Growing Forward programs are tailored with the flexibility to meet Manitoba’s diverse regional requirements.  The Government of Canada and Province of Manitoba have worked with farmers every step of the way to develop the Growing Forward framework.
 
In Manitoba, the Growing Forward framework supports programs to encourage innovations such as new business initiatives and value-added products that will add to agricultural-based value chains. Other programs include enhancements to food safety systems from the farm gate to the food plate and environmental protection planning.