The Ontario berry industry and consumers will benefit from recent funding allocation totaling just over $100,000 from the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC).

The financial support will be targeted toward two industry projects involving the development of a Centre of Expertise for the Ontario Plant Propagation Program in Northern Ontario and market research.

"The goal of these initiatives is to provide consumers with a consistent supply of high quality fresh berry crops from Ontario," said Joan Fielden of the Ontario Berry Growers Association (OBGA).

The Centre of Expertise - which will maintain and propagate disease-tested plant stocks - is a first for Canada. Establishment of the centre, which is also funded in part by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, will improve the introduction rate of new high quality and yield berry crop varieties in Ontario - maintaining producer profitability. Increasing sales in the Ontario berry industry is the aim of a comprehensive market-research study to determine consumers' opinions and needs.

These projects are managed by the OBGA, whose mandate is to promote and assist the berry industry in Ontario. The association represents approximately 300 strawberry, raspberry, currant and gooseberry growers throughout the province.

The AAC is a non-profit coalition of 54 agricultural, agri-business and rural organizations working together to support Ontario’s agricultural and rural communities. The AAC receives its funding through Ontario’s share of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Adaptation Rural Development (CARD) Fund.

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For more information:

Mary Jarvis, Program Coordinator, Agricultural Adaptation Council Tel: (519) 822-7554 Mary's e-mail

Joan Fielden, Treasurer/Secretary, Ontario Berry Growers Association Tel: (905) 649-2101 ontberries@interhop.net