NS: Ten-year strategy necessary for survival, say farmers
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Hants Journal, August 27, 2010
[WINDSOR, NS] — Progressive Conservative agriculture critic Chuck Porter is cautiously optimistic following the announcement of a new government program that will aim to support young farmers who are eager to enter Nova Scotia’s commercial farming industry.
Porter, who believes that barriers to entry in the farming market have slowed growth in Nova Scotia’s agricultural production, is pleased with the announcement, but still questions the NDP government’s promise of a $900,000, 10-year agriculture strategy.
“The ‘ThinkFarm’ strategy is definitely a step in the right direction,” said Porter. “However, the NDP are doing nothing to support current and established farmers who are struggling to maintain their operations on a daily basis.”
Current farmers were promised a new farming strategy dating back to the 2009 general election campaign.
Porter, who met with dairy farmers last week, says that farmers can no longer wait.
“This strategy is critical to the long-term competitiveness and profitability of our farmers,” said Porter. “Nova Scotia’s Federation of Agriculture said back in April that they required the strategy now.”
Porter is encouraging Agriculture Minister John MacDonell to pursue the ThinkFarm initiative aggressively in light of a 2008 policy paper by the Young Farmers of Nova Scotia. The paper shows that commercial farm businesses in Nova Scotia will require a minimum of $500,000 of initial capital by this year.
“I understand that any investment takes time to mature,” said Porter. “But our farmers deserve better. I will not let this government off the hook when it comes to developing a long-term, viable solution to our agricultural issues here in Nova Scotia.”
Friday, August 27, 2010
Yarmouth Industrial Commission Acquires Ferry Terminal
NS: Control of Yarmouth ferry terminal comes home
By Michael Gorman, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Yarmouth County Vanguard, August 27, 2010
[YARMOUTH, NS] — Control of the Yarmouth ferry terminal is going to the community.
West Nova MP Greg Kerr delivered the news to area municipal leaders on Thursday, saying this clears the path for pursuing an operator for 2011.
“The months of patience have paid off,” he said.
Although the process required much effort, Kerr said the ability of area municipal units to act with one voice — not to mention take the lead on the effort — last December when it was announced that The CAT ferry service would not continue, played a major role in the final outcome.
“When the municipalities agreed to formalize one voice in the area, that’s really what made the difference.”
West Nova MP Greg Kerr addresses municipal leaders Thursday with news that control of the Yarmouth ferry terminal would be going to the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission. — Michael Gorman photo
Kerr said he expects the terminal lease to be formally signed over to the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission (YAIC), the group leading the effort to restore ferry service, some time in September.
Dave Whiting, acting CEO of the YAIC, said they can now go ahead with formally pursuing an operator. Whiting said the timeline remains good to have ferry service restored in time for the 2011 season and he expects to have more news in October.
The next step, said Whiting, is to put out a formal request for proposals to determine what operators are interested and determine what ports in Maine are in play.
Both Kerr and Whiting said potential opportunities for greater partnerships with the U.S. need to be pursued but Whiting said that is something that will come once they determine what ports are legitimately interested. That also applies to what kind of involvement should be expected from the other side in terms of support for the service.
The community controlling the terminal opens the door for other opportunities in the area, although Whiting would not elaborate on those at this time. It also puts to rest, said Kerr, any concerns about the loss of customs services in the area.
Kerr stressed the need to document the impacts of no ferry service on the community this season to make the case for why it is so important, as well as stressing the importance of the link between the province and the United States in general.
By Michael Gorman, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Yarmouth County Vanguard, August 27, 2010
[YARMOUTH, NS] — Control of the Yarmouth ferry terminal is going to the community.
West Nova MP Greg Kerr delivered the news to area municipal leaders on Thursday, saying this clears the path for pursuing an operator for 2011.
“The months of patience have paid off,” he said.
Although the process required much effort, Kerr said the ability of area municipal units to act with one voice — not to mention take the lead on the effort — last December when it was announced that The CAT ferry service would not continue, played a major role in the final outcome.
“When the municipalities agreed to formalize one voice in the area, that’s really what made the difference.”
West Nova MP Greg Kerr addresses municipal leaders Thursday with news that control of the Yarmouth ferry terminal would be going to the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission. — Michael Gorman photo
Kerr said he expects the terminal lease to be formally signed over to the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission (YAIC), the group leading the effort to restore ferry service, some time in September.
Dave Whiting, acting CEO of the YAIC, said they can now go ahead with formally pursuing an operator. Whiting said the timeline remains good to have ferry service restored in time for the 2011 season and he expects to have more news in October.
The next step, said Whiting, is to put out a formal request for proposals to determine what operators are interested and determine what ports in Maine are in play.
Both Kerr and Whiting said potential opportunities for greater partnerships with the U.S. need to be pursued but Whiting said that is something that will come once they determine what ports are legitimately interested. That also applies to what kind of involvement should be expected from the other side in terms of support for the service.
The community controlling the terminal opens the door for other opportunities in the area, although Whiting would not elaborate on those at this time. It also puts to rest, said Kerr, any concerns about the loss of customs services in the area.
Kerr stressed the need to document the impacts of no ferry service on the community this season to make the case for why it is so important, as well as stressing the importance of the link between the province and the United States in general.
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Yarmouth ferry terminal
A Spirited Group at Meeting in Sandy Cove
....About 150 or so, wanting a conventional,old-fashioned sit-down meeting- and had tiold then so, were greeted by the same old thing that we got....THE 150 walked out, regrouped, and re-entered and DEMANDED.....
And Andys' group got what it wanted...... Questions and Answers, audible>>>Everyone could hear.
Andy said it was clear that the experts,so-called, didn't have all too many answers....Goooooood for them...There is some community around afterall, at least on the Islands......d
d Anyway, good on them!
And Andys' group got what it wanted...... Questions and Answers, audible>>>Everyone could hear.
Andy said it was clear that the experts,so-called, didn't have all too many answers....Goooooood for them...There is some community around afterall, at least on the Islands......d
d Anyway, good on them!
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