New program supports Blueberry Expansion

News Release

July 18, 2015 – Great Village, Nova Scotia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Nova Scotia's wild blueberry farmers will have access to new funding that will allow them to increase and expand production.

Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell and Member of Parliament Scott Armstrong (Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced $1.08 million over three years for the Lowbush Blueberry Development program today, July 18, during the Wild Blueberry Producers Association’s annual field day at Millen Farms in Great Village, Colchester Co. Nova Scotia.

Quick Facts

Wild blueberries account for more than half of the value of all fruit production in Nova Scotia. The farm gate value for 2014 was $34.1 million.
The Lowbush Blueberry Development program aims to improve production techniques like harvesting and pruning and expand the cultivation of wild blueberries. This program will allow industry to remain cost-competitive on the global fruit market and ensure the on-going viability of these businesses in rural Nova Scotia.
The Lowbush Blueberry Development Program is funded under Growing Forward 2, the five-year framework agreement for agriculture which is cost-shared 60-40 between the federal and provincial governments.
Registered farmers who have been farming in the program year are eligible to apply for funding.

Quotes

“Our Government is committed to helping farmers remain cost-competitive in the global fruit market. This program helps ensure the on-going viability of these businesses in rural Nova Scotia and the growth of the Canadian economy.”
- Member of Parliament Scott Armstrong

“The wild blueberry is the number one fruit crop in acreage, export sales and value in Nova Scotia. This investment will help bring more land into production and increase field productivity for this valuable crop.”
- Nova Scotia Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell

"Nova Scotia wild blueberries go to more than 30 countries around the world. This new program will enable our existing growers to expand their operations as well as encourage new entrants to our industry, thereby contributing to the economic growth of the province."
- Jeff Orr, President, Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia

Produits connexes

Associated Links

Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Additional eligibility requirements

Contacts

Emily Hogeveen
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada

Angela Johnson
Communications Nova Scotia
902 476 7312
Email: Angela.Johnson@novascotia.ca

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New program supports Blueberry Expansion

News Release

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