July 24, 2015

Premier Stephen McNeil announced changes to Executive Council today (July 24th).

Diana Whalen retains her position as Deputy Premier and

will become Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Randy

Delorey will become Minister of Finance and Treasury Board,

and retain the portfolio of Gaelic Affairs. Lena Metledge Diab

is the Minister of Immigration. Andrew Younger will return to

cabinet as Minister of Environment.

Zach Churchill is the new Minister of Municipal Affairs

and Emergency Management Office, and Communications Nova Scotia. Lloyd Hines will join cabinet as Natural Resources

Minister.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen

Casey will become Chair of Treasury and Policy Board and

Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan will take

on responsibility of Minister Responsible for Youth.

The changes are effective immediately.

New Program Supports Blueberry Expansion

Nova Scotia's wild blueberry farmers will have access to new funding that will allow them to increase and expand production.

Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell and MP Scott Armstrong, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced $1.08 million over three years for the Lowbush Blueberry Development Program today, July 18, during the Wild Blueberry Producers Association's annual field day at Millen Farms in Great Village, Colchester Co.

"The wild blueberry is the number one fruit crop in acreage, export sales and value in Nova Scotia. This investment will help bring more land into production and increase field productivity for this valuable crop," said Mr. Colwell.

Wild blueberries account for more than half of the value of all fruit production in Nova Scotia. The value to the industry in 2014 was $34.1 million.

The Lowbush Blueberry Development Program aims to improve production techniques like harvesting and pruning, and expand cultivation. This program will allow industry to remain

cost competitive on the global fruit market and ensure the ongoing viability of these businesses in rural Nova Scotia.

"The government is committed to helping farmers remain

cost competitive in the global fruit market," said Mr. Armstrong. "This program helps ensure the ongoing viability of these businesses in rural Nova Scotia and the growth of the Canadian economy."

"Nova Scotia wild blueberries go to more than 30 countries around the world," said Jeff Orr, president, Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia. "This new program will enable our existing growers to expand their operations as well as encourage new entrants to our industry, thereby contributing to the economic growth of the province."

The Lowbush Blueberry Development Program is funded under Growing Forward 2, the five-year framework agreement for agriculture which is cost-shared 60-40 between the federal and provincial governments.

Registered farmers who have been farming in the program year are eligible to apply for funding. Additional eligibility requirements are available online at http://novascotia.ca/agri/programs-and-services/financial-funding/growing-forward2/.

Changes Coming to Sunday Hunting Rules

The Department of Natural Resources is lifting the ban on Sunday hunting for the first two Sundays of general deer hunting season.

The change will apply to all wildlife in season on those dates except moose.

In 2015, Sunday hunting will be allowed Nov. 1 and 8.

"Nova Scotia's natural resources are here for everyone to enjoy and use in a sustainable manner," said Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill. "After a public consultation and discussions with stakeholders about a range of options, I wanted to find a balance on this issue that would take everyone's positions into account. Allowing hunting on the first two Sundays of general hunting season achieves this balance."

Amendments to the Wildlife Act regulations will also clarify the distance hunters need to stay back from Christmas tree and agricultural operations. Amendments will also make it easier for hunters to help farmers deal with nuisance wildlife.

Public safety was an important consideration in the decision. Hunting accidents are rare in Nova Scotia and almost never involve non-hunters. There will be an awareness campaign closer to hunting season to help ensure Nova Scotians know about the Sunday hunting change.

Landowner rights was an area of interest during consultations. Hunters are strongly urged to respect landowners' wishes about hunting on private property.

Real Dirt on Farming speaker training for Members

The Real Dirt on Farming "Speak Up" day-long session will provide training for farmers on how to address sensitive topics with consumers.

In August, farmers in Nova Scotia will have an opportunity to take training that will assist with telling the story of modern agriculture. Each training session will be a single day and run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The first session will be in Kentville on August 18th and a second session will be held in Bible Hill on August 19th.

Each session will cover information contained in the Real Dirt on Farming, a publication produced by the national Farm and Food Care Foundation. The topics covered in the session include:

• Farming 101
• Farming Myths
• Farming and the Environment
• Food and Farming
• Animal Care on the Farm

"Providing workshops like Real Dirt on Farming offers farmers the skills they need to communicate effectively about the agriculture practices applied on their farm," said Chris van den Heuvel, President of Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture. "Nova Scotia farmers will benefit from having a workshop that specifically addresses topics and information relevant to our province."

The session will be facilitated by Nancy Beth Guptill, founder of Sweet Spot Marketing. Guptill is a facilitator trained by the "Dirt on Farming" Speakers' Bureau to provide the Real Dirt on Farming "Speak Up" session.

"We know consumers view farmers as one of the most trusted informant sources, and are eager to learn directly from them. The Speak Up training provides farmers with speaking, presentation and personal communications skills that helps them connect directly with consumers and share their personal farming story," said Guptill.

Guptill also went on to say "The Real Dirt On Farming "Speak Up" training program is designed to help farmers, commodity groups and agri-businesses tell their personal farming and agriculture stories with consumers who are eager to have conversations with those responsible for producing the food they eat. There is a lot of misinformation in the marketplace, with many groups and individuals sharing the Canadian Agriculture story. As a result, consumers are both confused and concerned, and are seeking reliable information sources."

Each participant will leave the session with resource materials. They can use these materials as an information resource or tools when giving a presentation. A recent copy of Real Dirt on Farming will be given to each of the participants as well as a jump drive with a modifiable slide deck for those who wish to give presentations. Social media and "tough topics" will also be included in the training.

Space for each session is limited. Farmers interested in registering or looking for more information can contact the Federation's office at (902) 893-2293. If you cannot make either training session for any reason and are interested in such training, we will be happy to take your name and location for future events.