Farm Smarter Seminars Promote Diversification

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Farm Smarter Seminars Promote Diversification

Nova Scotia farmers will learn more about diversifying their businesses by attending the next Farm Smarter seminar, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Gordon Balser said today, Feb. 27.

"The agri-tourism industry is a huge growth area for this region," Mr. Balser said. "Farmers who are diversifying their on- farm businesses are seeing extra profit, new markets and learning new skills."

The seminar will feature guest speakers and farmers discussing on-farm diversification. It will involve a discussion of opportunities in rural and agricultural tourism business initiatives, on-farm food processing and retail shops, and new cash crops.

The seminar will be hosted at the Kentville Research Station on Main Street on Wednesday, March 12, and at AgriTECH Park in Truro on Thursday, March 13. Both sessions will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Nova Scotia farmers are invited to register by Friday, March 7, by calling Robin Marshall in Kentville at 902-678-2298 or Laurie Sandeson in Truro at 902-896-7270. The cost is $5 per person.

The first seminar of the Farm Smarter seminar series was held in February and discussed on-farm food safety programs for the globalized food market. About 20 producers attended each session.

The seminar series is sponsored by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Office of Economic Development, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Kings Community Economic Development Agency.