Farm Safety

The winter months may seem slower in the agricultural community, with both fields and producers awaiting the arrival of spring.

However, the reality is slightly different. Potato warehouses continue to maintain a full schedule. Producers use the opportunity to do routine maintenance on their equipment and train staff, so they can hit the ground running when planting time arrives.

The Federation is developing education materials in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and the Highway Safety Division of the Department of Transportation. The effort is designed to raise awareness in the farm community of safety regulations in the Highway Traffic Act that apply to Agriculture equipment. Particular emphasis will be placed on practices where enforcement agencies have identified issues of non-compliance.

An awareness campaign is being planned to coincide with spring planting that will include advertisements and articles in various media and displays at as many agricultural related venues as possible. Audio/visual material will be made available to various commodity organizations for their use. As well, there will be a web page specific to Farm Safety incorporated into the existing PEI Federation of Agriculture site.

The Canadian Agriculture Safety Association is finalizing plans for its annual launch of Canadian Agriculture Safety Week, which will take place in Manitoba for Western Canada and here on P.E.I. for Eastern Canada. The venue chosen for the Island initiative is Koolbreeze Farms in Travellers Rest on March 8th. The actual dates of the CASW are March 15th – 19th and producers are encouraged to utilize the opportunity to update their operations and staff on safe farm practices.

If anyone has interest in setting up training for any of the following they are asked to contact Tim Seeber at the Federation office at 368-7289 or by email at seebertw@eastlink.ca.

Tractor Safety Training: Depending on demand this can be scheduled for March Break
Fork Lift Training: This training is done on-site and requires a minimum of 4 people
First Aid Training: Available as sufficient interest dictates.

Growing Forward

Funding under Growing Forward – the new agricultural policy framework

Funding is available to help make your farm more competitive and profitable. Approximately $24.6 million is available over five years to the industry through various programs of Growing Forward – the new policy framework established by federal, provincial and territorial governments.

Act now because program funds are allocated annually and distributed on a first come, first served basis. Program details and application forms for Growing Forward programs are available by calling 1-866-PEI-FARM (734-3276).

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS:
These programs are designed to enhance the capacity of farmers to respond to change and to facilitate development of sound management practices through the following sub-programs.

The Self-Assessment sub-program includes workshops and follow-up services aimed at developing an action plan. Up to $2,000 is available for the implementation of an action plan. Participants who complete the self-assessment workshop and action plan are eligible for a greater rate of cost-sharing from other Business Development sub-programs.

The Financials sub-program provides up to $1,500 to have a consultant conduct a comprehensive financial assessment of the farm operation.

The Planning sub-program covers funding for consulting services in such areas as strategic succession and business plans and feasibility assessments. Funding is available at a rate of 85% to a maximum of $14,000 for beginning farmers and 70% to a maximum of $11,000 for other farmers who have completed the self-assessment workshop. Different rates apply for farmers that have not completed the workshop and for two or more farming entities submitting a project application.

The Skills sub-program provides up to $8,000 per participant and $16,000 per farm for farmers and their spouses for on-farm and off-farm skills training. (Off-farm training may only be available until March 31).

FOOD SAFETY, BIOSECURITY AND TRACEABILITY PROGRAM:
This program is designed to ensure food produced in P. E. I. meets the highest safety standards. The components of this program are on-farm food safety, post-farm food safety, traceability projects and biosecurity.

The Implementation Assistance sub-program helps to purchase food safety and traceability equipment and pay for the First Certification audit when implementing a food safety program. Funding recently increased for this program up to $2,500 per farm at a rate of 75%.

AGRICULTURE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM:
The program provides up to $50,000 over four years to assist producers with the implementation of Beneficial Management Practices (BMP’s) that enhance P.E.I.’s soil, water, air and biodiversity resources.

The Alternate Land Use Services program provides compensation to farmers and land owners for the voluntary contributions they make towards the protection of water, soil and wildlife habitat. Payments range from $100 to $250/ha/year. Payments of $0.30/m/year are also made for maintaining fences adjacent to watercourses and wetlands.

The Environmental Farm Plan program provides a self-assessment process for farmers to evaluate the environmental risks and strengths of their operations and develop a plan to address those risks and strengths.

The Agriculture Innovation program supports projects dealing with on-farm diversification, evaluation of innovative technologies and development of value-added opportunities. Applicants can receive up to $20,000 to $30,000 in funding at a cost-shared rate of 35 to 50%.

The Agriculture Research Fund supports projects in the areas of research trials, on-farm diversification, commercialization of new projects and crop by-product feeding trials. Up to $30,000 is available for one year projects and $40,000 for multi-year projects.

Rate vary by applicant; 75% for agriculture associations, 50% for producers, and 25% for agri-businesses and academic institutions. The Future Farmer program supports the entry of new farmers to the industry. A range of activities are available under the program. Agriculture Information staff can provide information on applying for each of the program components.

The Organic Industry Development program has three components: Organic Value-Chain Development, Organic Farm Advancement, and Organic Agro-Environmental Evaluation. The combined funding available for the three components is up to $100,000 at a rate of 50 to 75% depending on activity.

The Business Risk Management programs replace the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program. The following income support programs available are: AgriInvest; AgriStability; AgriRecovery and AgriInsurance.

For details, contact the Agriculture Insurance Corporation at 368-4842.