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Antigonish County Agriculture Snapshot April 8 Adam Wile Agricultural Transition Officer 1-902-863-2087. Contact info. Adam Wile 1-902-863-2087 wilean@gov.ns.ca
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Antigonish County Agriculture SnapshotApril 8Adam WileAgricultural Transition Officer1-902-863-2087
Contact info • Adam Wile • 1-902-863-2087 • wilean@gov.ns.ca • I act as an industry liaison and project coordinator with groups looking to support or grow agriculture or agricultural opportunities in the province.
Antigonish County • Land in Crops: 19,214 acres • Area Owned: 59,398 acres • Crops: • Alfalfa: 5,921 acres • Hay: 9,627 acres • Blueberries: 2,088 acres • Livestock • Beef: 1,596 • Dairy: 2,527 • Sheep and Lambs: 1,085
Antigonish County • Total gross farm receipts 2010 • $26,119,156 • Total farm business operating expenses • $21,011,447 • Number of employees: 513 • Total number of farm operators: 290
Antigonish County • Farmer/operator age • Under 35: 20 • 35-54: 120 • 55 and older: 160 • Average age: 54.3
Observed Trends • Increase in women operators • Increase in small acreage farms • Increase in value added primary products • Increase in # farmers markets • Increased local food movement
Observed Trends • Decrease in beef farming • Decrease in Hog farming • Margins are becoming smaller • Aging farming population • Climate Change
Provincial Government Initiatives • Grass Fed Beef • Biomass initiative • Select Nova Scotia • THINKfarm • Farm Energy • Many regional initiatives and projects
Regional Staff • Eastern: • Adam Wile • Kevin Bekkers • Cape Breton: • Adam Wile • Gary Koziel • Central: • Michael Kittilsen
THINKfarm • http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/thinkfarm/