About 25 agricultural projects in British Columbia will share $2.1 million in provincial and federal government funding this year in amounts announced July 30 by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia.
The non-profit foundation administers funding for projects deemed worthy by people in poultry, livestock, dairy, tree fruit, berry, grain, oilseed, forage, vegetable and other agricultural sectors.
The B.C. Cattlemen’s Association was among the largest recipients. It will receive $825,158 for an ongoing initiative to provide consumers with information about beef and cattle production.
It will receive another $153,990 to develop a value-chain strategy linking producers to feeders and processors.
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Elaine Stovin, communications co-ordinator for the BCCA, said Aug. 1 that the funding will help the organization continue its “behind the beef” project that was well received in its first year of operation.
“In the store it seems to be very popular, both with the consumer and with the retailers. We’re also trying to branch out to take it to fairs and exhibitions,” said Stovin.
“Our whole goal is to have that one-on-one contact and communication with the consumer.”
The BCCA projects fell under the foundation’s heading of ranching task force funding.
Various amounts were also distributed to groups, municipalities, First Nations and organizations under the headings of agricultural adaptation, agri-innovation, safety nets, agri-food futures, poultry industry biosecurity, livestock waste and aquaculture innovation.
Under the livestock waste category, the regional districts of Nanaimo, Coldstream and Thompson-Nicola received $17,000, $21,000 and $9,912, respectively, to explore possible sites for mass livestock carcass disposal in the event of emergencies like an avian flu outbreak or cattle disease issue.
Donald’s Fine Foods received $49,500 to investigate new technologies to reduce costs for pork storage and delivery.
The cranberry industry will receive funding for research to improve production ($218,500) and to test new cranberry varieties ($83,250).
