$4 MILLION ANNOUNCED FOR RENEWAL INITIATIVES IN ALBERTA

EDMONTON, March 22, 2005 – Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell and Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Doug Horner today announced funding of $4 million for five agriculture renewal initiatives in Alberta.

The initiatives, identified under the Canada-Alberta Renewal Collateral Agreement, will support the work of advisors under the Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services. They will also support development and delivery of tools, information and skills development initiatives for farmers and farm families.

"By working together, governments are able to help producers increase their profitability," said Minister Mitchell. "These programs will provide producers with the tools, knowledge and advice they need to succeed."

Minister Horner said the five initiatives are essential for producers wanting to further develop their business. "These funds will support renewal initiatives that meet the unique needs of Alberta producers, ensuring our producers have access to the information and resources they need to excel," he said.

Of the five initiatives receiving funding, the Agriculture and Food Council will receive $1.5 million to augment the Innovation in Agribusiness Management Fund.

According to Art Froehlich, Chair of the Council, the fund primarily supports initiatives in human resource management, risk management and assessment, transition, succession and leadership. "The overall goal of the fund is to support Alberta producers in developing innovative, new ideas and resources to assist their businesses," he said.

Four provincial government initiatives will receive $2.5 million in funding from the Government of Canada. These initiatives will provide advisors with information, tools and training in the area of benchmarks, risk management, new opportunities, feasibility assessment and succession planning. They will build leadership and management skills for application of best management practices by farm managers; provide research into key benchmarks and best practices for advisors working with individual firms; and conduct research and analysis to identify best opportunities for provincial agri-businesses.

The goal of the Renewal chapter of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) is to provide farmers with the skills, knowledge and tools they need to succeed in farming. For more information on Renewal and the APF, please consult Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's website at www.agr.gc.ca/renewal or call 1-866-452-5558, or contact Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development at (403) 556-4278.

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For more information, media may contact:

Alberta Ag Media Line
Edmonton
(780) 422-1005

Leanne Fischbuch, P.Ag
Communications and IAMF Manager
Agriculture and Food Council
(780) 955-3714 ext 228

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
1 866 345-7972

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