Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, Marie-Claude Bibeau, and Prince Edward Island (PEI) Minister of Agriculture and Land, Bloyce Thompson visited Schurman Family Farm in Kensington, PEI today to announce an investment of $893,284 for an innovative project that will help increase energy use efficiency and reduce fossil fuel use in their greenhouse production.
The Schurman family operates Atlantic Grown Organics which provides organically grown produce throughout Atlantic Canada. The operation will receive a federal investment of $446,642 under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Clean Technology Program, $271,467 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, $89,328 from the PEI Department of Agriculture and Land and $85,847 from Atlantic Grown Organics.
Atlantic Grown Organics has been using waste bio-products as fuel for the operation of its greenhouses. Their operation has been able to make use of bio-waste from a local oilseed processing plant but have been required to supplement this system with fuel oil.
Through this support, the farm will test and demonstrate the adaptation of a clean technology boiler system, a first of its kind to be installed in North America. The new boiler system will help turn the greenhouse operation into 100 per cent renewable heating, and promote the adoption of clean technologies in the sector.
Source : Government of Canada