$50,000 grant for community innovation
The $50,000 Peavey Mart Community Agriculture Grant will be awarded for a significant prairie community innovation.
The grant aims to help strengthen rural communities through the funding of local projects such as innovative urban agriculture projects in rural areas, towns and cities.
Innovation could be focused on local agriculture or food supply, or innovation in the wider area of community development.
The grant will be awarded to one or more individuals or non-profit organizations who propose projects with clear benefits to their community. The goal is to help local communities be self-reliant.
Read Also
British Columbia farmers to receive increased AgriStability supports
B.C. farmers to receive bump in AgriStability compensations due to weather concerns, international trade instability
Winning applications will likely include a business plan, budget and letters of support.
Applications are being accepted until June 30.
For more information, visit the Peavey Mart website.
Software helps switch to group housing
A new computer program helps hog producers switch to group sow housing by selecting the system that would best fit their management systems.
The software was developed by the University of Manitoba, in partnership with Manitoba Pork Council and the Prairie Improvement Network.
Producers can input information on their existing barn so that the software can identify different types of group housing systems that will fit.
Researchers are now determining how best to make the software readily available while maintaining the ability to refine and update the program.
farm management competition launched
Competitors from across Canada can win a trip to attend the International Farm Management Congress in Poland July 2013.
There they can learn international agricultural management best practices and be part of the Canadian delegation.
Contestants must produce a video, one minute or less, that demonstrates Canadian farmers managing for success.
The congress must receive the completed application form and video submission no later than May 24. The names of the winners will be announced in June.
Winners will report from the Congress by Twitter. Upon return, they will be required to write two articles to share insights on their experience and entice participation for IFMA 2015 in Canada.
Winners may also be called upon to speak at Farm Management Congress and industry events.
Vaccine centre receives final certification
The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization’s International Vaccine Centre (InterVac) has received final certification.
It will allow vaccine research and development on existing and emerging diseases to move forward at the University of Saskatchewan facility.
The centre had to meet the safety and operational standards of the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency because it will study animal and human pathogens.
InterVac, a $144 million expansion to VIDO, is one of the world’s most advanced containment level three vaccine research centres and one of the largest of its kind.
It received funding from the federal, provincial and municipal governments and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, as well as support from the U of S.
InterVac provides facilities for scientists to conduct research into level three diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza and prison diseases such as BSE in cattle and chronic wasting disease in elk and deer.
Scientists from across Canada and around the world will be able to use the facility.
