OTTAWA, ON - Youth and young farmers are the future of Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. By connecting youth directly with farmers to learn how our food is produced and showcase the vital role that farmers play in our food system, the Government of Canada is helping to inspire and build the next generation of young farmers to ensure a strong, sustainable Canadian agriculture sector.
To kick off Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM), the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced up to $415,000 in support for Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C). CALM, celebrated annually in March, encourages students to learn about and celebrate Canada's incredible agriculture and food story.
In celebration of CALM, AITC-C is hosting the Great Canadian Farm Tour, an engaging learning experience which gives students an opportunity to learn about Canada's agriculture industry by interacting virtually with real farmers. The Great Canadian Farm Tour includes a virtual field trip with 11 live farm tours focusing on the diversity of commodities across Canada throughout the month of March.
AITC-C will receive up to $55,000 through the new federal AgriCommunication Program to support activities related to the virtual farm tours. In addition, AITC-C will also receive nearly $360,000 under the AgriDiversity program to expand its thinkAG initiative, which is designed to help Canadian students learn about, and inspire interest in, the many diverse and exciting career opportunities in agriculture.
The Government of Canada is committed to raising awareness, understanding and appreciation of agriculture among young Canadians. Initiatives such as AITC-C are connecting classrooms with farmers and people with a passion for agriculture and food so students and teachers can learn firsthand about the sector through information sessions, learning events and program materials for Canadian educators. These initiatives provide students with valuable education about how their food gets to their table and creates opportunities to inspire young future leaders in the sector.
Source : Cision