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By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Friday September 6, 2024

Sep 6, 2024 | 10:10 AM

The new School Food Infrastructure Fund (SFIF) will help not-for-profit organizations invest in infrastructure and equipment to support school food programming across Canada.

The $20.2-million SFIF is delivered as a complement to the National School Food Program. Agriculture and Agri-Food (AAFC) Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced the new program along with the next phase of the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF).

AAFC will deliver the programs aimed at supporting community-based not-for-profit organizations working to improve local food security for Canadians of all ages.

Small Scale Projects will provide funding between $25,000 and $100,000 to support infrastructure projects, such as irrigation systems for community gardens or solar panels for greenhouses. Applications for the first intake will be open from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31. A second intake will be announced in 2025.

Large Scale Projects can receive between $150,000 and $500,000 in support of community food security for projects with multiple infrastructure and equipment needs. For example, partners could come together to upgrade a soup kitchen and increase the number of meals served, using food from a local community garden, or a local farmer. Applications will be open from Jan. 13 to Feb. 28, 2025.

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The Manitoba government has named Dr. Glen Duizer as its new chief veterinary officer.

Duizer graduated as a doctor of veterinary medicine from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1995 and obtained a master of science in epidemiology in 2015. He has been with Manitoba Agriculture since 2005 and has 10 years prior experience as a clinical veterinarian in food animal and mixed animal practices.

Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn said the chief veterinary officer is a leader in connecting the strength of agricultural and agri-processing sectors with animal and human health.

“Dr. Duizer’s extensive experience and expertise in animal health, emergency planning and response and epidemiology and his strong relationships with livestock and poultry stakeholders and veterinarians will help guide our work protecting animal and human health, and we are excited to welcome him to this role,” Kostyshyn said.

Manitoba’s chief veterinarian, chief veterinary office, provincial veterinarian for animal welfare and other stakeholders work together to protect animals, food and people.

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Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) is promoting from within with the appointment of the organization’s newest CEO.

Industry Services Manager Kelly Somerville will assume the role effective Sept. 3, replacing retiring CEO Mike McMorris.

Somerville, a University of Guelph Animal Science graduate, has an extensive background in the beef industry as well as past roles with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. She also co-owns a small herd of purebred Angus cattle.

Somerville got her start in the livestock industry showing beef cattle in 4-H in her pre-teen years, and has been involved with various cattle organization boards, including the Ontario Angus Association and Canadian Junior Angus Association.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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