Vermont is an example of how state-level legislative support can help regional, mid-sized, and small producers and rural communities. The state has developed polices aimed at community-based agricultural economic development aligned with local and regional food system infrastructure development. In 2009, the Vermont Legislature passed the Farm to Plate (F2P) initiative as part of the state’s jobs bill. Estimates of the F2P plan include 1,500 jobs over the next 10 years based on a five percent increase in food system production and an accompanying annual increase of $88 million in the state’s gross domestic product. Currently, 12.9 percent of private businesses and 16 percent of private jobs in Vermont are in the food and farm sector. In 2007, the state’s agricultural and food output totaled $2.7 billion.
Local Food is a Regional Economic Driver
In its 2010 paper, Local Food Systems: Concepts, Impacts and Issues, the USDA cites empirical research that has found that expanding local food systems in a community can increase employment and income in that community[3]. Studies suggest the economic impact of regional food systems are most likely felt in the form of income and employment growth, particularly where import substitution – either of regional food products or of regional food services such as processing – results in more money staying within the region as opposed to being diverted to products or services bought outside the region. Food Hub- Rural Economic Development
Speaking about FarmWorks
Recently FarmWorks Directors have participated in several informational events
We walked with the FOOD GROWS HERE banner in the 80th Apple Blossom Festival.
We spoke at the THINKFARM How to Start a Farm session Wednesday, June 6 at the new Truro Farmer’s Market.
The Nova Scotia Environmental Network’s, Environmental Education Caucus, & Sustainability Education in Nova Scotia for Everyone (SENSE) 5TH ANNUAL SUMMER SOLSTICE DAY at Brigadoon Village.
FarmWorks Directors will be participating in the following events:
The Celebration of Small-scale Farming takes place on Monday, July 30 at the Pictou-North Colchester Exhibition Grounds, 38 Arena Drive, Pictou. Directions. This year, the Celebration of Small-Scale Farming is brought to you by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, Perennia, Rural Delivery and the Pictou Rural Development Agency.
FarmWorks will be attending Agricultural Exhibitions and Fairs throughout the Province – watch for us!
PLEASE CONTACT LBEST@NS.SYMPATICO.CA IF YOU’D LIKE FARMWORKS DIRECTORS TO ATTEND OR SPEAK AT AN EVENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
FarmWorks Wins Second Place in the NS Co-op Council Innovation Awards
The 2012 Nova Scotia Co-operative Council Innovation Challenge
The Co-operative Innovation Competition’s goal is to support and develop a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the co-operative sector. This competition is open to new start-ups and established co-operatives and credit unions that are members of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council. In order to be eligible to enter this competition, a co-op must be incorporated, with business based in Nova Scotia.
Co-operatives that proceed to Stage 2 will be asked to expand upon their idea and submit a business plan which will be reviewed by a panel of judges. The three top submissions will be asked to present their innovation and business case in person to a panel of judges. The written and verbal presentation will both be reviewed to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes.
1st Prize $5,000 + 10 days mentoring
2nd Prize $3,000 + 7 days mentoring
3rd Prize $1,500 + 5 days mentoring
Cash awards will be used for expenses such as expertise in Intellectual Property, Legal, Marketing, Advertising, or Branding. This support is expected to come from recognized professionals. Any use of funds for capital items will have to be pre-approved by the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council. Mentoring – business and marketing consulting assistance will come from the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council’s Business Development Officers.
Peter Hicklenton, Director
Peter was first elected director of FarmWorks in April of 2014 having previously served as an advisor and supporter of the investment cooperative. He is a former research scientist and National Science Director with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, based at the Kentville Agricultural Centre (Kentville Research Centre). His research focused on greenhouse crops, and later addressed crop production and physiology challenges in small fruit. From 2005 until his retirement in 2012 he directed AAFC’s national effort in sustainable crop production systems, with special responsibility for programs in Winnipeg, Kentville, Charlottetown and St. John’s. Peter is active in the cooperative movement in the Annapolis Valley serving on the board of Valley Credit Union and currently chairing VCU’s Audit, and Social and Environmental Responsibility Committees. He volunteers with several community organizations including Friends of the Kentville Ravine, Black Rock Trails Society and Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter.
April Flavours Tasting Feast – Another fine dining experience!
Several hundred people enjoyed wonderful food and beverages at Wheelock Hall at Acadia University on Monday April 30th. Sixteen Chefs and six Wineries provided the “most delicious flavour sensations I’ve ever experienced in one place at one time” said one of the guests. See the menu for the list of Chefs and the dishes they provided.
Winner of the People’s Choice Appetizer Award
Savoury Buckwheat Crepe made with Longspell Point Farm Stone-Ground Whole Wheat Flour filled with Knoydart Farm Organic Caerphilly Cheese, FoxHill Cheese House Fenugreek Harvarti, Peasant’s Pantry Home-smoked Ham, Noggin’s Farm Baked Apples, & Hutton Family Farms Microgreens by Hip Rose Catering
Andrew Meade – Vice Chair
Attorney at Law, Turks and Caicos Islands, (Inactive); Barrister and Solicitor, Alberta, Canada (Inactive); Self Employed – small business venture financing, real estate investing and consulting and directorial services to individuals, companies and funds; Director & Vice President – St. George’s Trust Company Limited in Bermuda; Attorney at Law McLean McNally, Turks and Caicos Islands, trust and estate and corporate law, director and legal counsel for trust company and securities brokerage; Legal Counsel – Trizec Properties Limited, negotiation and drafting commercial leases for office and retail tenants.
Student-at-Law – Bennett Jones, Calgary, studied and worked under partners focusing primarily on commercial, security, estate planning; Business Systems Analyst – EPS Software Consultants Ltd., Toronto, development and maintenance of the financial planning system.
Legal Education Society of Alberta, Canada Bar Admission Courses; Dalhousie University Bachelor of Laws 1991/93; Saint Mary’s University – Bachelor of Commerce, 1986/89
Volunteer at Kings College Panamá S.A.; Former Member of the Halifax Club; Former Director and Secretary of the Bermuda Crimestoppers Committee; Former member of the Bermuda Association of Licensed Trustees; Former member of Rotary International; Former member of the Law and Order Committee of the Turks and Caicos Islands; Former Business Basics Instructor with Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta
Snorkeling; Swimming; Mountain Biking; Canoeing; Hiking; Downhill Skiing; Cooking; Painting; Reading; and Curling.
Keith Rudderham – Director
Keith Rudderham, Lt.-Col., is a Point Edward, Cape Breton farmer and Commanding Officer of the Cape Breton Highlanders. He is married to Lori and they have three children, Cameron, Ian, and Emily. He graduated from Royal Military College with Bachelor of Arts Honours Economics and Commerce in 1992, and Master of Arts in Defence Studies in 2009, and holds the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning CPF designation.
He brings to the Board: Public Service Experience, Management skills, Community Leadership, Public Budget Management. He is a Problem Solver, Consensus Builder, Team Builder, Logistics Expert, Employee Motivator, Public Speaker, Trainer and Mentor.
He is Vice President of the Cape Breton Richmond Federation of Agriculture, and was Ex-Officio Board Member of the Petawawa Centennial Family Health Centre Board of Directors, Board Member of the Algonquin College Capital Fundraising Foundation responsible to raise money for the construction of a new College Campus.
Lt.-Col. Rudderham deployed to Kosovo in 1999, to Kabul, Afghanistan in 2003-2004 where he assumed the duties of officer commanding camp services in Camp Julien. In 2007 he deployed to Kandahar as part of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team responsible for the training of the Afghanistan National Army. His military career has also seen him serve as base commander of CFB Petawawa from 2009-2011, before returning to Nova Scotia in 2011 to take on the position of commanding officer of 5 Division Headquarters. He has also been the commanding officer of 33 Field Ambulance in Halifax since April 2014.
Johanna Kwakernaak, Director
I am interested in the work of FarmWorks based on my personal experience and a strong belief that agriculture as a historical foundation to our Nova Scotia economy can and should be integral to our economic future. FarmWorks provides an innovative model to grow all aspects of an agricultural economy, is uniquely Nova Scotian, a model of a cooperative collaborative community.
I grew up in the Annapolis Valley, an immigrant, the daughter of a landscaper, nurseryman, and small scale produce farmer. My Uncles were dairy and pork producers. After gaining a diploma in Physiotherapist from Dalhousie University in the early 1970’s I worked briefly in Nova Scotia before heading to Alberta. During my almost 40 years in Alberta I returned first to the University of Alberta to earn a Bachelors of Physiotherapist and then to the University of Calgary for a Masters of Business Administration. My professional career was in Health Care. In 2009 I retired from Alberta Health Services where my last role was as Director of Clinical Support Services in the Calgary Region managing an array of clinical services, a staff of over 1,000 and an annual budget of almost $20M.
On retirement my husband and I returned to Berwick in the Annapolis Valley. I have taken up gardening once again and volunteer with a number of organizations: the Western Kings Community Health Board- current Chair, the Berwick Community Garden Group – Vice-Chair, Kings Senior Safety Society – Treasurer, CAPPSCA (Community Alcohol Project – Partners Shifting the Culture of Alcohol) – Recording Secretary, and Kingston/Greenwood Mental Health Association – Treasurer.
I want to see our communities grow, prosper and be healthy and believe FarmWorks has a role in that vision.