Bioeconomy sector receives funding
The Bioproducts Cluster under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership is receiving up to $11.2 million in federal funding.
The cluster, led by Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, will include an additional $10.9 million in contributions from industry, for a total investment of $22.1 million.
Bioproducts are renewable products other than food and feed that are derived from agricultural, aquatic or forestry resources, or municipal wastes. They include biochemicals, biofuels, bioenergy and biomaterials.
The cluster will support cutting-edge research to develop new applications for farm crops and residues from energy to chemicals to industrial products.
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For example, one of the projects includes $2 million to develop new green resins for adhesive binders in wood products, which potentially could benefit the environment by providing the construction industry with a greener building product.
Sask. Ag Hall of Fame president re-elected
Reed Andrew was re-elected president of the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame, which he joined in 2011.
Richard Porter was also re-elected as member-at-large as first vice-president and Blair Cummins was elected as second vice-president.
Seven candidates competed for the six board positions that were up for election in 2019.
Karen Gerwing of the Saskatchewan Women’s Institute is joining the board.
Returning to the board along with Andrew and Porter are Brian Sim, member-at-large; Judy Stevenson, the Association of Saskatchewan Home Economists, and Jim Sawatsky, the Saskatchewan Horse Federation.
Directors are elected for three-year terms, with elections held annually for one-third of the board, which currently comprises 18 elected members and two ex-officio members.
4-H tackles sustainability
This year, more than 3,900 young people from 136 4-H clubs in Canada are participating in Proud to Bee a 4-Her.
As well, more than 2,500 youth from 98 clubs are participating in the Steeped in Soil initiative.
Both outreach programs are part of 4-H Canada’s commitment to engage youth on topics related to sustainable agriculture and food security.
For the past six years, 4-H clubs have been learning about pollinators and their importance to the food supply through the support of the Syngenta Operation Pollinator program.
Nearly 150,000 seed packets have been distributed across the country, allowing members to plant and tend pollinator-friendly gardens.
The Steeped in Soil initiative is also inviting young people to continue learning about the importance of soil health for food supply.
New wild blueberry markets explored
The Canadian division of the Wild Blueberry Association of North America is receiving more than $1.6 million in federal funding to market and promote Canadian wild blueberries internationally.
The funding enables the wild blueberry sector to expand global demand and promote the benefits of Canadian wild blueberries to existing and emerging markets in the United States, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Japan, China and South Korea.
Promotional activities will include social media campaigns, health and baking seminars and Canadian branding campaigns that will focus on the taste, safety and health benefits of frozen berries and processed products.
Canada is the world’s largest producer and exporter of wild blueberries with exports worth an estimated $239 million reaching more than 30 countries.
SaskBarley scholarships available
Two new scholarships are available this year from the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley).
The program aims to encourage and support new university-level research that will benefit Saskatchewan’s barley sector.
The scholarships are open to any post-secondary students enrolled in part-time or full-time studies focused specifically on barley research.
It will include two scholarships: one at a PHD-graduate level for $5,000 and one at an undergraduate level for $2,000.
Funding is for one year, but can be renewed.
Pork expansion supported
With the goal of increasing productivity, the federal government announced a repayable contribution of up to $10 million to Conestoga Meats in southwestern Ontario under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriInnovate program.
The funding will help the company upgrade its facilities and install a state-of-the art custom built cooling system.
The technology will also reduce processing time and improve product shelf life for fresh pork, which will increase production and expand export opportunities in Japan and across Asia.
In 2018, Canada’s pork sector exports were valued at $4 billion, making Canada a top-three exporter of pork in the world.
Food processing innovation funded
The federal government announced a repayble contribution of up to $8.5 million to Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. In Vaughan, Ont., for the modernization of its MadeGood Foods line of products.
The funding enables the family business to purchase and install first-in-Canada robotic equipment, customize and automate its granola bar production and create new production lines for allergen-free healthy snacks.
The new technology will increase production and produce new products to the market.
