Available Photos

View details and
download

“The farm system on Prince Edward Island encompasses a remarkable group of producers, processors, distributors, marketers, and consumers,” said Minister Shea. “I am pleased to announce our Government’s support to the Farm Centre Association Inc. as work begins to modernize its facility. These upgrades will better support the valuable work carried out by our agriculture entrepreneurs and the small and medium-sized businesses that directly support this vital Island sector.”

Built in 1975, the Farm Centre, operated by the Farm Centre Association, has served as a central hub for the Island’s farm organizations. It continues to serve as a central urban location for farmers and fishers as an effective and convenient centre for the Island’s primary industries. Facility upgrades will focus on critical internal and external infrastructure, energy efficiency, and updates to meeting spaces and technology requirements.

“The province is pleased to provide an Island Community Fund investment to modernize the PEI Farm Centre. The facility houses 15 tenants such as the PEI Federation of Agriculture, Adapt Council of PEI, Dairy Farmers of PEI, and the PEI Fishermen’s Association,” said Minister MacKinley.

In total, the Government of Canada, through ACOA, will invest $141,906 through its Business Development Program. The Government of Prince Edward Island will invest $28,381 under the Island Community Fund.

“This is an important community investment project that will have positive impacts on the agricultural industry throughout Prince Edward Island,” said Mr. Exton MacPherson, Chair, PEI Farm Centre Association Inc. “As a not-for-profit organization, we would not be in the position to carry out these upgrades on our own. We are very pleased to receive federal and provincial support to move forward with these improvements.”

The Farm Centre Association was a recipient of a PEI 2014 Inc. fund, a grant valued at $175,000. This project will support the creation of culinary events, seminars, conferences, and workshops, hosted at the Farm Centre that will celebrate the significant achievements of present-day Island farmers, while honouring previous generations. The Association will also create the PEI Legacy Landscape – an outdoor living classroom featuring a diversity of Island-bred crops for the public to learn about farming, food and sustainability through workshops, demonstrations and experiential learning.

“This is a wonderful project that celebrates the rich history of farming and food on Prince Edward Island,” says PEI 2014 Community Advisory Committee Chair, John Horrelt. “Not only does this project pay tribute to a vital part of the Island’s culture and economy, but it will be a tremendous legacy of the PEI 2014 celebrations.”