Welcome to the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture's Electronic Newsletter. Our goal is to provide information to members in a timely and efficient manner. Please pass this information along to other Industry Stakeholders.
November 20, 2015
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This is Agriculture: Working together as a family key to van Dyk farm
Wild blueberries, mink, Christmas trees and more add to
van Dyk success
The van Dyk family farm is nothing short of incredible.
With many smaller farming businesses branching from a farm once run by their parents, the van Dyk's have a lot on their plate. From wild blueberries, a construction company, world-famous wild blueberry juice, mink, Christmas tree land, and more in the works, at first sight it may seem they have bitten off more than they can chew. But that's not the case at all. There is only one way to keep everything running - working together as a family.
Bible Hill agricultural college alumni Peter van Dyk (Class of '84), son of Cornelius (Case) and Henrica (Riek) van Dyk, plays a major role in keeping the farm in the family and giving back to their community. Located in West Caledonia, the van Dyk name is widely recognized.
In 1954, Case van Dyk and his wife Riek moved to West Caledonia from Holland. With them they brought their farming experience and started Ons Genoegen Farms. At that time, Ons Genoegen Farms concentrated on dairy, although it was typical for them to have a little bit of everything. Eventually they concentrated on farming hogs and in 1977, their operation was a 200 sow farrow-to-finish operation. Case and Riek have nine children - six boys and three girls, many of whom have different ties to the original family farm.
To read the article further click here...
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NSFA Annual Meeting
Don't forget to plan to attend the NSFA Annual Meeting scheduled for next Thursday and Friday, November 26 & 27, 2015 at the Best Western Glengarry, Truro.
To view the agenda for the two days click
here...
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Biodiversity Farming Video
Scientific research gets a new animated look in a collaborative video project between Dalhousie University, the NSFA, NSDNR and Environment Canada. Check out the video to how modified hay harvesting can benefit the wild plants and animals that make their home on Nova Scotia farms. Visit
farmbiodiversity.ca for more information.
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PM Issues Ministerial Mandate Letters
In accordance with his commitment to transparency and accountability within the federal government, last week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly released the mandate letters sent to his cabinet ministers. The mandate letter issued to Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay references some key issues that Canadian producers have been wanting to see addressed - including review of the Canadian grain transportation system, investment in agricultural research, assessment of business risk management programs for farmers, and development of a Canadian food policy. The letter states: "You will implement our government's plan to help Canada's agriculture sector be more innovative, safer, and stronger. Canada's farmers, ranchers and food processors are the foundation of our food sector. Government must use its policy and financial tools to support the agricultural sector in its vital work."
You can read the entire mandate letter for Minister MacAulay here.
Also of interest is the ministerial mandate letter that was issued to Minister of International Trade Chrystia Freeland, which references the CETA and TPP trade deals, and states the need to "promote Canadian agricultural interests during future trade negotiations."
The first session of the 42nd Parliament opened on Thursday, December 3 at 2:00 p.m. EST.
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New Perennia Publication
Perennia has a new publication that was just released: The Pivot. It will be produced twice a year - in the fall and spring - and cover things from growing to harvesting to selling, share some stories of some of the work we have been doing, provide some information in all areas of business, and cover some trends.
We will have a short run of hard copies available upon request. View a low resolution version online at:
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The 2015 Bioproduct Pilot Program now Open
The Bioproduct Pilot Program provides funds to pilot, test or demonstrate new bioproducts, such as biomaterials, biofuels, bioenergy, biochemical and agri-food products based in agriculture.
The objective of the Bioproduct Pilot Program is to optimize research and commercialization efforts through coordinated approaches and support supply chain development of new bioproduct opportunities. Projects must demonstrate new technologies, processes or business models which promote awareness, encourage implementation, or facilitate the adoption of new bioproducts in the agriculture sector. Funds can be made available for multi-year initiatives to a maximum of three years beginning from 2015/16, two years beginning from the 2016/17 and one year for the 2017/18 fiscal years.
Assistance on eligible costs may be up to 75 percent of total project costs (eligible cash expenses) to a maximum of $50,000 per year. The lifetime cap for an applicant under this program is $100,000. Eligible applicants include Nova Scotia farmers, agri-businesses registered in Nova Scotia, and universities, organizations and commodity groups in Nova Scotia.
Contact John McCabe for further information and to receive an application for the Bioproduct Pilot Program. John joined Perennia in September as a Bio-Products Development Officer. The Bio-Products Fund, which is meant to be catalyst for developing the bio-products industry in Canada, has moved to to Perennia from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA) to administer. John has been seconded from NSDA for a two-year term to continue co-ordinating work in this area.
JOHN MCCABE, BSc., P.Ag.
Bio-Products Development Officer
Office: (902) 896-0277, ext 222
Cell: (902) 890-1274
[email protected]
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NSFA Senate Member Passes Away
The NSFA passes along our condolences to the family of Charles Hubbard of Shinimicas who passed away on November 16, 2015.
Charles was a leader in dowsing and biodynamic farming, a visionary working to create self-sufficiency on the farm, utilizing the energy from nature's elements. He was engaged with the farming community as a past president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture and a current member of the NSFA Senate Club.
To read Charles' obituary, click here...
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November 16 - Atlantic Federation of Agriculture Meeting, Halifax (Henry, Chris, Kimberly & Lloyd)
November 17 - OEA Board Meeting, Halifax (Henry)
November 18 - Halifax Food Policy Alliance Meeting, Halifax (Henry)
November 18 - Antigonish Federation Annual Meeting, Antigonish (Henry)
November 18 - Clifton District Federation Meeting, (Kimberly)
November 19 - Mink Breeders Field Day, Cornwallis (Henry & Dennis)
November 20 - Wild Blueberry Producers Annual Meeting, Truro (Henry, Paul, Carolyn & Chris)
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November 23 - 25, Charlottetown
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December 7 - 8, Dartmouth
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| January 25 & 26, Old Orchard Inn Scotia Horticultural Congress |
| January 26 - 27, Greenwich NSFGA Annual Convention |
Current Electronic Newsletters
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Job Postings
Current agricultural job postings can be found
here...
If you are a member and have an employment opportunity on your farm or agri-business, please send the details to
[email protected]
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| Disclaimer: Articles and news items do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSFA or its members. The e-Newsbreak is intended to give readers access to various information in a timely manner in addition to current publications. We respect the privacy of our members and ensure any information they provide will not be provided to third parties.
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