Small Farm Expo approaching

Jul 16, 2015

Expo will take place Monday, July 20

Have you been farming for years? Are you a new farmer? Do you wish to one day be a farmer?

Whatever your level of farming experience is, there’s sure to be something for you at the 6^th annual Small Farm Expo, scheduled to take place Monday, July 20^th at the Bridgewater Exhibition Grounds in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

Small farm

The expo will investigate how small-scale farmers use today’s technology, farm business and marketing skills with the traditional farm practices of yesterday.

The expo will also feature a variety of workshops, including:

Goats and cheese making
Jams and jellies
Bread and baking
Haskap production
Sausage making
Garlic 101
Heritage livestock
Pastured beef
Food safety
Getting started in organic farming
Small-scale beekeeping
South-short grape growing

"Farmer-led workshops provide new farmers with a great opportunity to learn from seasoned veterans in the agriculture community,” said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz in a release.” Our Government is proud to partner with the Province to help give Nova Scotia farmers access to the tools they need to grow their business and our overall economy.”

Events like these can help bridge the gap between experienced and beginning farmers, which can help the agriculture industry succeed in the future.

"The type of connections formed at events like this, between experienced farmers and new farmers continue to build our agricultural industry,” said Nova Scotia Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell. “This expo creates stronger ties and partnerships in the agriculture community, which is all part of the growth we are seeing in the agricultural sector in Nova Scotia."

Interested parties must register by Saturday, July 18^th.

About Nova Scotia agriculture:

The industry contributed $595.4 million in 2013, up 2.6% from 2012
Dairy, fur and poultry account for about 58% of cash receipts
There are approximately 3900 farms in Nova Scotia
Primary agriculture employed 5,361 people in 2012
Mink is Nova Scotia’s largest export ($124.2 million)
International Ag exports are valued around $359 million

Are you going to attend the Small Farm Expo? What kinds of workshops and information are you looking forward to?

Video: Canada reaches tariff deal with China on canola, electric vehicles

Canada has reached a deal with China to increase the limit of imports of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in exchange for Beijing dropping tariffs on agricultural products, such as canola, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Friday.

The tariffs on canola are dropping to 15 per cent starting on March 1. In exchange for dropping duties on agricultural products, Carney is allowing 49,000 Chinese EVs to be exported to Canada.

Carney described it as a “preliminary but landmark” agreement to remove trade barriers and reduce tariffs, part of a broader strategic partnership with China.