Government helps young Canadians gain experience on the farm

LYNDEN, ON, Aug. 1, 2018 /CNW/ - Young Canadians are pivotal to the growth of Canada's agriculture sector. The Government of Canada is committed to helping young people gain the skills and work experience they need to transition into the labour market while learning sustainable farming practices for a cleaner more prosperous Canada.

During an event at the Woodhill Greenhouse, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, highlighted investments of $117,500 to Greenbelt Microgreens to hire student interns under the Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative. Over the last three years, the students working in the company's organic greenhouse facility have been getting hands-on experience growing fresh produce from seed to harvest and learning about food production from farm to retail in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Since the initial launch of the Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative in April 2016, 591 new jobs have been created nationally, both on the farm and with organizations engaged in the agriculture and agri-food sector.

This investment builds on the over $640,000 invested in Greenbelt Microgreens in 2017 to help complete the expansion and modernization of a 3.5 acre greenhouse facility that enables farmers to increase their production of Canadian certified organic microgreens.

Quotes

"Young farmers are our future and the Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative is a great example of how our government is committed to youth, the environment and the growth of the agriculture and agri-food sector. We're investing in young Canadians, creating priceless learning opportunities for them to gain hands-on experience working alongside knowledgeable farmers and processors."
- Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas

"The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been an excellent tool in the introduction and recruitment of qualified personnel to our operation. Through this initiative, we were able to accelerate a number of projects pertaining to plant health, food safety, and the incorporation of new greenhouse infrastructure and technology.  The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs has made a significant impact on our business and we look forward to incorporating it into future projects."
- Ian Adamson, President/Founder, Greenbelt Microgreens

Quick Facts

• The $7.1 million Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative was announced in 2016 and 2017 as part of the government's Youth Employment Strategy. The initiative helps youth aged 15 to 30 get the career information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to find and maintain employment.
• Greenbelt Microgreens grows, harvests and distributes certified organic microgreens.  Microgreens are young seedlings of edible vegetables and harvested within 14 days of their germination stage, such as basil, beets and cilantro.

Additional Links

• Agricultural Green Jobs Initiative
• Greenbelt Microgreens
• Government Invests in New Greenhouse Technology for Organic Microgreens - News Release

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Guy Gallant, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]