Farmers are getting a boost to help grow the availability of local produce.
The province and Horticulture Nova Scotia are once again offering the Season Extension Enhancement Program.
Minister of Agriculture Greg Morrow has announced an additional $7 million will be added to the remaining $1.5 million left from the last round.
The government says 64 farms previously received the support.
It helps growers expand their operations and increase productivity by funding items like greenhouses, irrigation, lighting and cold storage.
In a release, Morrow says, “Consumers want to buy local products year-round, especially with the expansion of the Nova Scotia Loyal program. The additional funding will help our fruit and vegetable growers to extend their growing seasons, adapt to a changing climate with undercover production, and open up new market opportunities.”
Horticulture Nova Scotia’s executive director, Marlene Huntley says, “Farmers have consistently requested the return of this popular program since its first iteration. It is a practical program targeting designated areas our farmers themselves have identified as important and necessary to season extension.”
The manager of Webster Farms Ltd. and President of Horticulture Nova Scotia says, “The previous Season Extension Enhancement Program was essential to our farm as, without the tunnels we bought with funding assistance, we wouldn’t have a profitable raspberry crop. It helped us continue producing market quality raspberries, which are in high demand.” Jordan Eyamie adds, “New funding will allow us to continue tapping into that market and make us competitive with countries such as USA and Mexico.”
