Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership investing in farmers' mental health, wellness and safety
News release
January 23, 2024 – St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Work to strengthen Newfoundland and Labrador's agriculture sector continues with over $7 million in approved funding to support more than 110 projects in Newfoundland and Labrador since the launch of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) in April 2023.
Investments include more than $928,000 to support the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture in delivering a wide range of projects, including a new farm-focused mental health and safety initiative.
The Sustainable CAP investment of $72,500 for the Farmer Mental Health, Wellness and Safety program will help farmers, farm workers, and their families deal with challenges they encounter in the province's agriculture sector.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture represents farmers and farming groups and leads a suite of professional development and educational initiatives funded by the Sustainable CAP, including:
- Agriculture in the Classroom - Newfoundland and Labrador: $330,000
- 2023 Agriculture Expos: $255,312
- NL Young Farmers: $229,034
- 2024 Agriculture Industry Symposium: $22,000
- 2023 Open Farm Day: $11,295
- Support for Women in Agriculture Conference: $8,572
The Sustainable CAP is a 5-year (2023-2028), $3.5 billion agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
Newfoundland and Labrador's farmers and producers have access to more than $42 million in cost-shared Sustainable CAP funding.
For more information on the Sustainable CAP in Newfoundland and Labrador, including the program guide and cost-shared applications, visit the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture's Sustainable CAP website. To learn more about federally-funded Sustainable CAP programs, visit the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Sustainable CAP website.
Quotes
"We know that the environmental and economic challenges our farmers and their families face can have a real impact on their mental health. This investment will help improve the well-being of those working in the agriculture sector across Newfoundland and Labrador and ensure folks have the support they need, when they need it."
- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"As farmers face challenges in the sector such as natural perils and climate change, their safety and well-being is our most important priority. Thank you to the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture for leading this charge, and providing meaningful opportunities for education, public awareness, and professional development in all aspects of our province's agriculture sector."
- The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
"Our farmers' wellbeing is a high priority for the NLFA. With Sustainable CAP funding, we have been making progress on several projects, and we are proud now to be moving forward on this new initiative to address our farmers' mental health, wellness and safety concerns. Together we are working towards a better future for our farmers and the agriculture sector in Newfoundland and Labrador."
- Wayne Simmons, President, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture
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Contacts
For media:
Francis Chechile
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
francis.chechile@agr.gc.ca
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613‑773‑7972
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
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Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Linda Skinner
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2284
709-632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca
Sara Power
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture
709-747-4874
info@nlfa.ca
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