Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow announced in Wolfville today, $15 million dollars in funding for grape and fruit growers affected by last month’s cold snap.
“I’ve talked to farmers about the impact last month’s extreme cold had on their crops, and some are predicting a full loss of their fruit harvest this year,” said Minister Morrow. “This funding will help cover some of the extraordinary costs producers are facing over the next few years as the full scope of the damage is revealed.”
It looks like up to 100 percent of grapes, raspberries, peaches, cherries and plums might be lost this year, but it won’t be clear until the spring.
The Department of Agriculture will work with representatives in the industry over the next few months, to design and deliver programs that will meet their needs. It will help the losses not covered by business risk management programs, such as crop insurance. It might also support programs that will replant, and climate change mitigation projects.
Nova Scotia farmers have access to several federal-provincial business risk management programs, including Agri-Stability and Agri-Insurance.
“Nova Scotia has a robust wine industry – one that attracts locals and visitors alike and which our rural communities, in particular, depend on. And that success starts with the grapes we grow. The damage this polar vortex caused doesn’t just affect this year’s harvest, but the coming years as well. This funding from the Province comes at a crucial time to support our recovery and set us up for success in the long term.”
– Steve Ells, President, Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia
Temperatures plummeted to minus 25 in part of the Annapolis Valley on February 4.
Quick Facts:
–the total farm gate value for fresh fruit in 2022 was almost $96 million
— the deadline to sign up for Agri-Stability for the 2023 year is April 30
— the deadline to apply for Agri-Insurance varies by crop and can be found on the Nova Scotia Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission’s website
