Canadian government invests in organic sector

May 20, 2015

More than $700,000 will be invested

As people become more conscious about the foods they eat and the movement for organic items continues to gain momentum, farmers and other organic producers are under more pressure than ever to keep up with consumer demands while still trying to operate a profitable farm.

As a result, the Canadian federal government is investing $785,660 to the Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA) that’ll be used to help with promoting the country’s organic sector and increasing the visibility of Canada’s organic products on an international scale.

Investing chart

The monies will allow COTA to attend international conferences, trade shows and lead missions to Europe, the United States, Asia and Latin America to raise awareness about Canada’s organic products.

"This significant investment in Canada’s organic sector will allow our farmers and businesses to be more strategic and more impactful in how they go to market, both here at home and abroad,” said Matthew Holmes, Executive Director of COTA.

Canada is currently the 5^th largest organic market in the world with over 4,500 organic farms and 1,000 organic processors and handlers. Organic exports are valued at more than $458 million with most of the products going to the USA, European Union and Japan.

"Canada’s organic sector is thriving, and as it continues to grow and diversify it is also becoming a core part of our country’s economy,” said Paul Calandra, Member of Parliament for Oak Ridges-Markham on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “Our government is proud to be able to support this sector in its efforts to increase its competitiveness and sustainability by creating economic opportunities and market growth in domestic and international markets."

A study in 2008 commissioned by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada showed that total annual sales of certified organic products in Canada is around $2 billion.

Tell us your thoughts about the government’s investment into Canada’s organic sector. As an organic producer are you encouraged that your products will be marketed internationally?

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.