Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵ| CASS program will support farmers

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CASS program will support farmers

On behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell, Parliamentary Secretary Wayne Easter, and »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵ Agriculture Minister Kevin MacAdam today announced a new program designed to help new and established farmers and their spouses increase their family income through improved farm practices or increased off-farm income.

The Canadian Agriculture Skills Service (CASS) will make up to $520,000 available to PEI farmers over the next three years to help cover the costs of training, books and course fees. The program will also help applicants develop learning plans. The goal of the program is to help farm families to improve their income by developing the new skills required for an increasingly complex business environment, and to capture new opportunities in agriculture.

"Acquiring skills and training in new areas is more important than ever before if producers want to meet global market challenges and opportunities," said Wayne Easter. "Both the federal and provincial governments are working to ensure that producers have the tools they need to increase the competitiveness of their businesses and their potential for new income."

"The development of knowledge and skills is crucial to the overall success of farm operations, and this program will go a long way to meeting the needs of producers for ongoing training opportunities," said »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵ Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kevin MacAdam. "At the same time, it will make a major contribution to our Future Farmer program, with its emphasis on helping people acquire the knowledge and skills so essential in today's agriculture industry."

The CASS program is being delivered on »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵ by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture in a partnership with Holland College. Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵwill use its expertise in adult learning to help eligible farmers develop and implement successful learning plans under the CASS program.

"The »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵrecognizes the importance of the agricultural sector in this province and has formed a strategic partnership with the PEI Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture," said Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵpresident Alex MacAulay. "We are pleased to be a partner in this initiative and to provide the support required that will allow farmers to address their requirements for training and human resource development."

The CASS program will be available on P.E.I. immediately until March, 2008. More information about this and other renewal programs can be found at www.peifarm.ca or at www.agr.gc.ca\renewal. Anyone interested in applying may contact the »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵ Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Farm Management Specialist at 1-866-734-3276.

For more information about this release, please contact:
Sara Underwood, Media and Communications Officer
Tel: 902-566-9695
Date: Friday, March 18, 2005