MUSSEL PRODUCER GETS GOVERNMENT FUNDING  . . . AT WHITE OAK PASTURES, GRASS-FED BEEF IS ONLY THE BEGINNING . . . NFU N.S. MEETINGS NEXT WEEK . . . FSC CANADA DISCUSSES INFORMED CONSENT WITH FIRST NATIONS AND INDUSTRY . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

MUSSEL PRODUCER GETS GOVERNMENT FUNDING
Source: The Chronicle Herald
A Prince Edward Island mussel processor is getting $940,000 in government funding to expand its operations. PEI Mussel King plans to buy new equipment to add a new production line, allowing it to offer new package sizes of fresh and frozen Island mussels. The federal government is offering a $470,000 repayable loan through the ACOA business development program, while the province is also lending $470,000 through Finance PEI. (read more)

AT WHITE OAK PASTURES, GRASS-FED BEEF IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
Source: New York Times
Here in the cab of a muddy pickup truck, with a stubby Ranch Hand rifle on the console and windows so fogged it’s hard to see the ruts in the pasture, you tend to believe anything the driver says. “We’re irreverent, profane, we talk too loud, we drink too much and we cheat to win,” William Harris III said. The line is part of the charm that has allowed a man whose family business was built on conventional, chemical-driven cattle rearing to become one of the most successful purveyors of grass-fed, humanely raised beef in the country. Harris, who lists both the writer Wendell Berry and the Confederate general Robert E. Lee as heroes, has been awarded just about every plaque and ribbon they hand out for agriculture and conservancy in Georgia. (read more)

NFU N.S. MEETINGS NEXT WEEK
Source: NFU
A while back, Av Singh sent out an email seeing if there was interest in discussing how a Nova Scotia farm organization can best support family farmers. In particular, whether there is a need/want for a farm organization like the NFU within our province. It was overwhelming how many people were extremely keen to have this conversation! March 16: Tatamagouche, 49 Alex Cox Rd. Waldegrave Farm 7-9 pm; March 17: Cape Breton, location to be confirmed 2-4 pm; March 18: Centre Burlington Hall 7-9 pm; March 19: Bridgetown, Centrelea Hall 2-4 pm; March 19: Wolfville, Just Us Centre for Small Farms 7-9 pm. (read more)

FSC CANADA DISCUSSES INFORMED CONSENT WITH FIRST NATIONS AND INDUSTRY
Source: Pulp & Paper Canada
More than 50 forest managers, technicians, academics, lawyers, industry representatives, and First Nations chiefs attended a meeting to discuss free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) in the context of the forest industry. Facilitated by FSC Canada, the gathering was also intended to enhance momentum and recognition of First Nations environmental, cultural, and economic stewardship of their homelands. (read more)