Tour of Western Region a Success

Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ed Lorraine has been taking advantage of the legislature's summer break to tour the province, meeting with producers to discuss agricultural issues and visiting farms.

From Aug. 3-5, he toured farming and processing operations and attended events in Digby, Yarmouth, Annapolis and Kings counties.

"One of the most enjoyable and important parts of my job is meeting with producers to discuss issues and opportunities for the future," said Mr. Lorraine. "In order to represent producers' concerns and meet their needs, it is imperative that I meet with them as much as possible and the last three days were very successful in that regard."

On Aug. 3, Mr. Lorraine toured Digby and Yarmouth counties with Housing and Municipal Affairs, and Human Resources Minister Wayne Gaudet. The two ministers toured the Sea Crest Fisheries plant, had a lunch meeting with six mink producers and toured Cook's Dairy, Churchill Bros. Farm, Sweeney Bros. Dairy Farm and Walter and Sandra Doucette's beef operation. That evening, they attended the opening of the Yarmouth County Exhibition.

"I try to attend as many exhibitions as I can each year," said Mr. Lorraine. "I encourage Nova Scotians to attend their local exhibition. Exhibitions bring communities together and are a great way to learn about and celebrate agriculture."

Mr. Lorraine spent Aug. 4 visiting farms throughout Annapolis County.

On Aug. 5, Mr. Lorraine was joined by Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison for a number of tours in Kings County. The two ministers met with ACA Co-Operative representatives and toured the company's Eastern Protein Plant, visited Hal and Ralph Stirling and toured their operations and orchards, and visited Noggin Corner Farm to view newly planted orchards. They also attended the opening of the Kings County 4-H Achievement Days in Canning. In the afternoon, Mr. Lorraine toured a number of farms in the Blomidon area.

Mr. Lorraine will continue to tour the province into the fall. In the coming weeks, he will attend an orchard tour in the Annapolis Valley, visit farms in Cape Breton, Shelburne and Colchester counties, and Halifax Regional Municipality, and attend the openings the Shelburne County Exhibition, Cape Breton County Exhibition, Halifax County Exhibition and the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition.