Legacy Program Supports Projects in Agriculture: Johnson
The Manitoba government and the Manitoba 4-H Council have selected the Bioscience Association of Manitoba (BAM) and the Prairie Fruit Growers Association (PFGA) as the 2021-2022 recipients of the Alexander Cherban Agriculture Industry Development Program (ACAIDP), Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.
“Both of these organizations are worthy recipients of these grants, made possible through the generous legacy of the late Alexander Cherban, a Swan River farmer who made his living in agriculture and wished to see the industry continue to develop and prosper,” said Johnson. “BAM and PFGA have both initiated projects very much in tune with the spirit of the program that supports those that strengthen public trust and build awareness on the sustainability of food production in our province.”
The ACAIDP was established to strengthen public trust, support labour development and promote career opportunities in the agriculture and food industry.
BAM will receive $40,000 and the PFGA will receive $10,000 in grants that will cover approximately 62 per cent of project costs for each association.
BAM’s Accelerating Awareness of Agriculture and Agri-Food in Manitoba project includes several partners such as the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Manitoba Starch Products, Prairie Fava, Assiniboine Community College, Red River College Polytechnic’s Prairie Research Kitchen and Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals. The project aims to develop and design communication materials to increase public awareness on career opportunities in the agri-food sector and its importance to the provincial economy.
“We are honoured to receive this award in recognition of our work in promoting the bioscience industry’s important role in present and future provincial economic development,” said Kim Kline, president of BAM. “This program will help us develop promotional materials that showcase the many interesting, diverse career opportunities available in this burgeoning sector.”
PFGA’s Education and Promotion of Local Prairie Fruit project will increase awareness of the fruit production process in Manitoba, the types of fruit available, when they are available and where to find locally grown fruit through the PFGA website and other social media platforms. The PFGA has approximately 65 members across Manitoba.
“We are honoured to receive this award and look forward to the good work that it will allow us to do in advancing our industry,” says Angie Cormier, executive director, PFGA. “With these funds, we plan to hire a summer student to travel the province, visiting our U-pick farms to gather information and photos that will be used to create new marketing materials to promote local fruits and the people who grow them. We are proud to be able to showcase the hard work of the dedicated farmers that produce local fruit, while also creating an interesting job opportunity for a young Manitoban.”
ACAIDP provides up to $50,000 per year to non-profit organizations, governments and academic institutions for innovative provincewide initiatives.
The 2022-23 intake for the ACAIDP will close on Feb. 28 with projects to be completed by March 31, 2023.
Source : news.gov.mb.ca