$382,000 for Canada’s flower-industry to expand on marketing, pest-control measures

October 11th was an exciting day for Ontario's growers from Flowers Canada Inc. Their President, Gerard Schouwenaar, as well as the group's Executive Director, Dean Shoemaker met with MP Dean Allison in Vineland where he made the announcement that over $300,000 in funding will be available for Flowers Canada Growers.

The federal government has dug up $382,000 for Canada’s flower-industry to help it expand marketing efforts and pest-control measures. A first investment of more than $137,000 through the AgriMarketing Program will allow Flowers to develop new and existing markets, especially in the U.S.

Another $100,000 through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program focuses on researching potential new pest control practices.

A third investment of $145,000 through the Agricultural Innovation Program will research biological pest control in the Canadian flower sector and look at new product development.

“Obviously the plants need to look very good when they go into the stores,” said Dean Shoemaker, executive director of Flowers Canada Growers Inc. Shoemaker spoke in an interview at the media event.

Money for pest-control research in areas like leaf miner and biological pest control “will help Niagara growers have an attractive product to put on the shelves,” he said.

New investment in marketing will also let the industry “better penetrate into the U.S. market,” Shoemaker added. “We’ll understand the U.S. market even better.”
Flowers Canada represents greenhouse growers in Canada.

Source; Flower Growers Canada, stcatharinesstandard.ca