I support our agriculture sectors aggressively, and Northumberland County has produced several documents and programs to help stimulate agriculture and agri-business. Some of these initiatives are the Northumberland County Agri-Food Business Study, Northumberland County Agricultural Action Plan, the Proudly Northumberland Farm program and publications such as the Proudly Northumberland Farm Gate Guide, and Proudly Northumberland Farm Food Safety Handbook. The Proudly Northumberland.ca website will be launched late August, 2010 to coincide with the Cairn of Peace rededication and fall harvest.
Other initiatives such as partnerships with the Northumberland Federation of Agriculture, Ontario, the Health Unit, and Bernardin have produced an annual canning workshop teaching the legacy of “putting up” local fruits and vegetables for the winter. There have been many initiatives that I support aggressively such as, the “Farmers Feed Cities” campaign by the Grain and Oilseeds Coalition. When you think about it, farmers feed everyone, and we need to continue all efforts to support our local food supply, and those who produce it. With the ever rising cost and consumption of energy, we will become more and more dependent on local food sources.