While the issue of temporary foreign workers has been a hot button topic in the media and on Parliament Hill recently, the executive director of the PEI Federation of Agriculture said Island producers using foreign workers will likely see little change in the regulations they work under. While agriculture may be the industry that first comes to mind when the topic is raised, John Jamieson said they actually account for only a small percentage. Canada allows in approximately 338,000 foreign workers each year, with approximately 30,000 in agriculture—virtually all of them under the Seasonal Agriculture Workers Program. While the program is relatively ...

The Chair of the International Sustainable Community Assistance (ISCA) organization travelled to Haiti in late April to co-ordinate a new poultry development project. Lloyd Dalziel said the organization’s work will focus on the development of poultry infrastructure, animal health clinics, as well as training for local farmers in Zoranger, an agriculture area northeast of Port-au-Prince. “We are fortunate to be working in partnership with a local Haitian agriculture co-operative organization, the Productive Cooperatives Haiti (pcH)” says Dalziel, as well as to have support from faculty at the Atlantic Veterinary College and volunteers from Alberta. pcH is involved on a daily basis with Haitian ...

Who can own how much land? Does the public have the right to impose restrictions on what landowners can do? If it does, what regulations are needed? Are Royal Commissions, task forces, round tables, commissions (we’ve had them all over the years) the best way to answer these questions? Are Islanders too tired, fed up, or cynical to even try? I’m not sure. I hope not. We’ll find out over the next few weeks as Horace Carver winds up his investigation into the future of the Lands Protection Act, and Land Use Task Force holds hearings across the province. ...

Small scale farming is the best way to “heal the land and produce food” in PEI, members of the PEI Food Security Network recently told the one man commission studying possible changes to the Lands Protection Act. “Industrial farming creates chemical dependency, which negatively contributes to climate change and lack of local knowledge and skills,” the group told Horace Carver during a meeting in Charlottetown. “We caution that any increase in the land holding limits would threaten the sustainability of farming in PEI by concentrating land in the hands of a few corporate farms, using industrial farming methods that harm the ...

A popular recycling program for farmers is being expanded to include new products. In addition to accepting empty, clean pesticide containers, CleanFARMS will now also accept plastic fertilizer jugs and pails under 23 litres as part of its annual recycling program. "Over the years we have seen farmers bring fertilizer containers into collection sites so we knew there was a need to expand our program. It's great to see members of the fertilizer industry step up and support this new initiative," says Barry Friesen, general manager of CleanFARMS, the industry stewardship organization that operates the program. The empty pesticide container collection program was ...

To mark the 40th WI Roadside Cleanup on May 11, partners came onboard to issue a challenge to all Islanders for the opportunity to win $500 per category. Categories include schools, family/individual, organizations, or businesses and participants were asked to fill out a pledge sheet and follow-up by sending a photo of their  team in action.. Thank you to Island Waste Management Corporation, Maritime Electric and Pepsi Bottling Company and the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry for helping to make the event a success. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal will pick up the waste bags along our ...

It is that time of year once again when the agriculture community is getting back into full swing and motorists should be prepared for more encounters with farm machinery on Island roads. This is an opportune time to remind farmers and their employees, as well as motorists, about the importance of safety. Charlotte Crooks, Farm Safety coordinator with the PEI Federation of Agriculture, said, “Over the next few weeks there will be an increased presence on our highways of large farm equipment and we want to encourage motorists to slow down and take note of the warning lights and slow moving vehicle ...

For the 10th consecutive year, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is inviting rural community groups to apply to its AgriSpirit Fund. FCC will give a total of $1 million in funding to rural community groups across Canada for capital projects. Registered charities and non-profit organizations interested in funding this year are encouraged to visit www.agrispirit.ca for eligibility requirements and to apply online. “FCC is pleased to mark this anniversary,” says Kellie Garrett, FCC Senior Vice-President, Strategy, Knowledge and Reputation. “For 10 years, it has been a privilege to contribute to the enhancement of rural communities. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with ...

In partnership with Farm Credit Canada, the PEI Federation of Agriculture is pleased to offer a scholarship of $ 2,000 for the upcoming academic year. John Jamieson, Executive Director of the PEIFA, said the scholarship is open to members and their families who enroll in a agriculture leadership program or enroll in a post secondary or graduate program. “This is the second year we have been able to offer this scholarship and this is a great benefit to our members. Last year we had a number of excellent applicants and we expect even more interest this year.” Jamieson said the Federation and ...