Ag literacy receives federal investment

Mar 01, 2021

Minister Bibeau announced funding of up to $1.6 million

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

The federal government is investing in agriculture literacy across the country.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced up to $1.6 million in funding for Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) on Monday morning to help kick off the tenth Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month.

AITC-C will receive the funding over two years from the AgriCompetitiveness Program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The funding will help the organization “develop new tools to inspire our young people to learn more about our dynamic agriculture and food industry,” Bibeau said during a video conference. “All of this will help light the spark for the next generation of agriculture leaders.”

AITC-C’s mission is to build meaningful connections to agriculture and food and creating an impact in Canadian classrooms.

This government support will allow the organization to continue to do this important work, said Johanne Ross, executive director of AITC-C.

Part of the funding will be used to introduce new platforms to help educators deliver ag information in a virtual format.

“One is a new customized learning management system which means teachers can bring interactive learning to the smart boards in their classrooms,” Ross said during the virtual announcement. “The other is the continued expansion of the Canadian Educator Resource Matrix. Any teacher in Canada can go into this matrix and get curriculum-linked resources for their specific province and grade level.”

Video: Home Grown Ontario Tulips

Ontario’s flower sector is blooming ??

With more than $1 billion in farmgate sales and over $650 million in annual exports—much of it centred in the Niagara region—Ontario growers are a major force in Canada’s floriculture industry. In fact, the province produces roughly 50% of all flowers grown in the country, serving a market of over 100 million consumers within a one-day drive.

It’s a powerful example of how strategic location, cross-border access, and strong production capacity come together to support both local agriculture and global markets ??

?? Watch as Andrew Morse, Executive Director of Flowers Canada, shares insights and the full story behind Ontario’s tulip industry and its thriving flower sector.