Community Pasture Supports Small Cattle Farmers

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

Cape Mabou Pasture Co-op will undergo infrastructure and equipment upgrades

June 11, 2019 – Mabou, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Access to good land and farming equipment enables small farmers to grow their businesses, create jobs and contribute to a thriving agricultural industry. That is why the Government of Canada is supporting Cape Mabou Pasture Co-op with a project to make its community pasture more accessible, functional and secure to better meet the needs of current and future clients.

The Co-op is purchasing new equipment and making infrastructure upgrades in an effort to attract new members and grow the sustainable livestock sector in rural Nova Scotia. Located on a 1,200-foot plateau, Cape Mabou Pasture Co-operative offers pasture services to small cattle producers across Atlantic Canada who do not have access to prime pastureland.

Rodger Cuzner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton – Canso, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced a federal contribution of $96,000 for the project today.

The Government of Canada is making smart investments that will create good, middle-class jobs in our country. It is helping small and medium-sized businesses to start-up, expand or modernize and supporting not-for-profit organizations to fuel business growth. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is working to achieve its Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.

Quotes

“Our government is proud to invest in initiatives like the community pasture services provided by the Cape Mabou Pasture Co-op to deepen ties with Canada’s rural communities. Support for this project will help build a more solid foundation for the next generation of Atlantic Canadian livestock farmers.”

     - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“There are many cattle farmers in rural areas across Atlantic Canada without direct access to pastureland. Cape Mabou’s community pasture is a valuable agricultural resource that delivers a quality solution for small cattle farms and supports the development of new farmers. The successful completion of this project will help drive economic growth in Inverness and Antigonish counties.”

     - Rodger Cuzner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton – Canso

“This ACOA funding will be a game-changer for us - allowing our members to benefit from improved infrastructure and some new equipment necessary for the viable future and indeed the expansion of the Community Pasture. This in turn will enhance the profitability of our local livestock sector and of our organization.”

     - Robert Sutherland, Secretary – Treasurer, Cape Mabou Pasture Co-op

Quick facts

  • Cape Mabou Pasture Co-op provides a variety of pasture services, including grazing, breeding and corralling, to small cattle producers.

  • Its current membership includes 150 cattle farms across Cape Breton, mainland Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

  • The funding will enable the Co-op to upgrade its infrastructure and equipment to support new business demand and increase revenue.

  • The Government of Canada is providing a $96,000 non-repayable contribution to Cape Mabou Pasture Co-op through ACOA’s Business Development Program (BDP).

  • The BDP primarily assists Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs who want to start a business, increase productivity or improve operations. Investments under the BDP address any gap that may arise if an application does not fit within ACOA’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program. 

  • The BDP continues to build on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it. 

Associated links

Contacts

Chris Brooks
Director of Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
chris.brooks@canada.ca


Robert Sutherland
Secretary - Treasurer
Cape Mabou Pasture Co-op
(902) 302-2735
Glendyer.holsteins@gmail.com

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