Ag links; Pork leaders honoured; Ethanol violation; Man. fish venture
Ag links
BuyFromTheFarm.ca website aims to become a hub that links urban consumers and rural producers.
The website provides an interactive community where farmers and urbanites can exchange farm products, desires for new products and ideas, buying experiences and agricultural concerns. Consumers have access to farm market locations and services using a national database of farmers’ markets.
As well, direct farm purchases are facilitated through product lists, location maps and contact information. Features expected soon include recipes, educational materials and links.
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The website is designed for producers of all commodities, including vegetables, livestock, grains and specialty crops.
BuyFromTheFarm.ca also aims to engage food processors and other members of the agri-food value chain to link producers, processors and consumers.
Pork leaders honoured
Two longtime supporters of the Alberta pork industry have been recognized for their contributions to the industry.
Jack Moerman of Redwater, Alta., and Marvin Salomons of Red Deer each received Alberta Pork Spectra Awards at the Alberta Pork annual general meeting in Calgary Dec. 10-11.
Moerman, a pork producer for 35 years, received the Lifetime Achievement Spectra Award.
He continues to be a prominent ambassador for the Alberta pork industry and has served in several positions, including chair of Alberta Pork and director and executive member of the Canadian Pork Council.
He currently represents the Alberta pork industry on the Alberta Livestock Industry Development Fund.
Salomons, whose career in agriculture included positions in international trade, farm extension and college-level training, received the Friend of the Industry Spectra Award.
He served on several trade missions promoting Alberta pork and has provided years of service on the Alberta Pork Congress board of directors and as a member of the Banff Pork Seminar organizing committee.
Ethanol violation
Alberta Agri-Ethanol Co. Ltd. of Two Hills, Alta., has been fined $4,000 after pleading guilty to failing to comply with a Water Act enforcement order.
Company director George Serna also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a $3,000 fine or 45 days in jail.
In October 2003, the Alberta government initiated a comprehensive investigation of the company’s site after a number of complaints from neighbouring landowners. Government experts concluded the land would have to be restored to its natural condition.
After the company failed to voluntarily comply with Alberta’s regulatory requirements, an enforcement order was issued in September 2006. Charges were laid after the company failed to comply with the order.
The maximum penalty for a corporation is $1 million and the maximum penalty for an individual is $100,000 and two years less a day imprisonment.
Man. fish venture
The Manitoba government is getting into the fish farm business.
The province’s $1.185 million Manitoba-Canadian Model Aqua-Farm Initiative will focus on rainbow trout. It is expected to produce 100 tonnes of fish annually.
Farm construction is to be completed before the end of the 2008-09 fiscal year.
Manitoba will invest approximately $309,000, which the federal government will match.
A private sector partner, Riddell’s Roasters Inc. from Warren, Man., will contribute approximately $350,000 in existing infrastructure and $280,000 in input and operating costs. Riddell’s Roasters is owned and operated by Rudy and Leslie Reimer.
