October is Agriculture Awareness Month

Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ernest Fage recognized today the beginning of Agriculture Awareness Month in Nova Scotia and announced some of the events that will be taking place throughout the month to promote the industry, which contributes $1 billion annually to the provincial economy.

His announcement coincides with the launch of the Canadian Agriculture and Food Celebration, the first national month-long campaign to heighten people's awareness of the importance of agriculture in their lives and to the country's prosperity.

"All Nova Scotians benefit from the province's agriculture and food industry," said Mr. Fage. "It contributes to the Nova Scotia economy, creates jobs for our young people and supports our rural communities. During October, I hope everyone takes the time to learn more about agriculture, thinks about how it affects all our lives and makes a commitment to support agriculture all year long by buying locally grown and produced products."

In 1998, agriculture generated farm cash receipts of $373 million in Nova Scotia. The province also exported more than $175 million worth of agriculture and food products last year.

The agriculture and food industry is directly and indirectly responsible for more than 16,000 jobs in the province.

Federal, provincial and territorial governments and industry partners have developed activities and events across the country that will raise awareness of the sector. In this province, the Nova Scotia Agriculture Awareness Committee will be spearheading activities. The committee comprises representatives from farm and rural organizations, agri-business and the federal and provincial governments and strives to increase public awareness of the scope and value of the agriculture and agri-food industry in Nova Scotia.

The following events are planned for Agriculture Awareness Month:

Oct. 5 -- Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ernest Fage will kick off Agriculture Awareness Month by hosting a Nova Scotia Breakfast at the Brewery Market in Halifax from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Oct. 11 -- A national supplement will be included in Maclean's magazine. The supplement will feature regional and commodity specific stories.

Oct. 15-17 -- The AgCot Discovery Centre will be at the Atlantic Winter Fair. An interactive learning centre, this year's AgCot will feature an arena program, the Agriculture, Pizza and Me floor display, a host of Nova Scotia food products, a stage program and commodity displays.

Farm Focus is featuring a poster contest and survey of the most significant event in agriculture over the past 100 years.

The Nova Scotia Agriculture Awareness Committee will be providing information on agriculture on its new homepage throughout the month at agri.gov.ns.ca .

Agriculture Awareness Month was launched in 1992 by the Atlantic Farmers Council to develop a better public understanding of the agriculture industry.