With the decline in the number of farm and farmers in the Maritimes, it is important to keep farms profitable and sustainable. In order to keep the sector vibrant, it is also important to attract new farmers to the profession including the next generation of current farmers as well as any others who might be interested in farming.

One approach that has not been targeted in the recent past has been attraction of immigrant farmers. Nova Scotia recently released a new program designed attract new farmers to Nova Scotia.

There isn’t a lot of details about the program but the aim is to attract and help people to immigrate in order to set up sustainable farms in the province.

This is a great idea in that there is a lot of great fertile land available to be cultivated but without the people willing to farm it, this prime agricultural land often lays fallow or underutilized. New immigrants bring with them ideas, innovations and expertise which can inject new vitality into the agricultural sector.

I hope that other Maritime provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island develop their own similar programs to attract new farmers to the area.

See also: http://www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca/Agriculture/2010-10-21/article-1868230/NS-encouraging-immigrant-farmers/1

Update: Apparently the program has some detractors.

Earlier this week, the New Brunswick government and Agriculture Canada announced the New Brunswick agreement under the Growing Forward program which will provide up to $24.6 million for New Brunswick farmers, businesses and agricultural researchers for research, development and adaptation of technology in the agricultural sector.

What is involved?

The program which runs from April 1, 2009 until March 31, 2013 provides funding for the research, development, adaptation or adoption of new technology in the agricultural sector in New Brunswick. The goal is to improve the competitiveness, sustainability, profitability and/or self-sufficiency of the New Brunswick agricultural and agri-food sectors. Food safety, tracability and bio-security initiatives appear to also be eligible for funding under the Growing Forward plan.

With major food producers such a McCain and Ganong having a large presence in NB, look for some of them to take advantage of this available funding. Hopefully the small family famers will be able to draw up some projects which allow them to adapt technology in order to become more efficient, competetive and profitable which will ensure their stability and growth.

Who is picking up the tab?

The costs of the program will be split at a 60/40 ratio between the federal and provincial governments which means a $14.76 million contribution from the federal government to the sector (though media releases like to quote the combined totals for better effect). Contributions through the program will only cover a portion of the research or development program (in most cases up to 50% up to a maximum of $35,000

An overview of the program is available in PDF form at: http://www.gnb.ca/0180/GuidelinesEnablingAgriculturalResearchInnovation.pdf

Is New Brunswick special?

Growing Forward is a national program developed by Agriculture Canada which plans to spend invest $1.3 billion over 5 years. An overview of the program is available at : http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1238606407452&lang=eng.

Although NB is one of the first province to reach a funding agreement with the federal government, I anticipate that other provinces will follow with announcements of their own in order to get their portion of the $1.3 billion (okay, actually $780 millon) of federal money.