Telling our Story!
Fredericton, January 29, 2015 – At its ninth Annual General Meeting of the Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick (AANB), on January 22nd and 23rd, 2015, delegates and guests gathered in great numbers to review the Agricultural Alliance 2014 accomplishments, identify future challenges facing New Brunswick agriculture and to hear what lies ahead in 2015 for the AANB.
“2014 has been very successful for the AANB; we safeguarded our industry on multiple fronts and acted proactively on key policies and programs. It is however very clear that much more needs to be done in order to place New Brunswick producers in a more competitive and sustainable position; such as the implementation of a provincial agricultural land policy and providing amendments to the Topsoil Preservation Act with the ultimate goal of protecting prime agricultural land”, indicated Mike Bouma, Alliance President.
President Bouma noted in particular that, during the meeting, Hon. Rick Doucet, Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, announced the continuation of the Rural Road Enhancement pilot project, initiated in 2012 by the AANB, and the continuation of departmental initiatives such as the Buy Local Campaign. “We are pleased that our provincial government recognizes the contribution of the agricultural industry towards the economy, our key role as the base of rural communities and is demonstrating great interest in collaboration” said Bouma.
Dr. Joe Schwarcz enthralled the delegates and other guests with his presentation by mixing humour and science by providing scientific facts, demystifying many food and nutritional claims based on junk science, and reminding us to always have a critical mind towards any information we read every day. To complement Dr. Schwarcz presentation, Kim Waalderbos, Communications Coordinator with Farm & Food Care, uplifted the audience by presenting the group’s initiatives to tell the public the real story of producers and the industry. The Farm and Food Care Foundation recently released a new edition of the Real Dirt on Farming magazine, available online here, based on the most frequently asked questions by consumers throughout Canada. Faith Matchett, from Farm Credit Canada, informed delegates on the Agriculture More than Ever initiative and how producers can use the resources to shine light on our sector.
An update from several of our industry partners was received throughout the meeting: Ed Hurley, Associate Director of Research, Development and Technology with the Potato Research Center (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) and Pierrette Melanson, Project Coordinator with the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick.
To bring agriculture labour recruitment and retention challenges to front and to entice discussion, a labour panel composed of Portia MacDonald Dewhirst (Executive Director of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council), Ron Bonnett (President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture), Samuel Bourgeois (agricultural producer) and Tony Whittaker (Service Canada), was held the second day.
Delegates also discussed and approved a number of resolutions that give direction to the Board on issues and challenges the Alliance should address in the year ahead. Foremost among these were:
– Pressing the Federal government for amending the Income Tax Act to eliminate legitimate intergenerational transfer transactions being affected by the scope of the Income Tax Act section 84.1. The amendment would eliminate one of multiple barriers of transferring farms within family; and
– Pressing concerned provincial Departments to complete ongoing efforts in order to resolve issues since in many cases when there is a change in government many initiatives are not brought to completion.
A number of producers and individuals were recognized for their contribution to New Brunswick Agriculture.
– Brian Dykeman was presented with the James Robb Agrologist Award in recognition of his untiring commitment towards agricultural producers
– Alain Rousselle and Eva Rehak were presented with the New Entrant Award
– Mike Bouma was presented with the Innovation Award
– Ken Reicker was presented with the Ambassador Award for his long term support and commitment to the Alliance, and the agricultural industry.
Mike Bouma, was elected as President of the Alliance. Also on the Alliance Executive:
– Samuel Bourgeois, First Vice-President
– Christian Michaud Second Vice-President
– Eric Walker, Secretary; and
– Mike Slocum, Treasurer.
The complete list of Directors is enclosed.
For more Information, contact:
Mike Bouma, President Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick at: (506) 452-8101
Josee Albert, CEO, Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick at: (506) 452-8101