N.S. Hosts Agriculture-in-the-Classroom Meeting

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--N.S. Hosts Agriculture-in-the-Classroom Meeting

The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is host this week for the national Agriculture in the Classroom meeting, which discusses ways to improve and create agricultural resources for Canadian classrooms.

"Nova Scotia has made a commitment to providing agriculture- awareness opportunities in the education system for our children," said Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ernest Fage. "It is vital to have our youth understand the importance of agriculture in Nova Scotia’s heritage and economy and the impact is has in our everyday lives."

This year’s meeting will give delegates from across Canada the opportunity to share success stories, create national programs and create new ways to present the story of agriculture to Canadian youth. The group is looking at classroom and Internet- based programs.

"The Canadian Agricultural Industry sets the standard in the production of safe, nutritious food," said Ruth Grant, provincial agriculture awareness co-ordinator. “It is an industry full of opportunity. We need to share this information with Canadians, because it is a topic which is often overlooked unless a person is directly related to the industry."

The meeting will be held Thursday and Friday, May 31-June 1, at the Westin Nova Scotia Hotel in Halifax. A copy of the agenda is available upon request.