AID PACKAGE PROMPTS COMPANIES TO RESUME HARVESTING ON QUEBEC’S NORTH SHORE . . . ISLAND GROWER PARTICIPATING IN PLANT BREEDING PROJECT . . . FOOD BANKS IN SOUTHEAST BENEFIT FROM BOUNTIFUL CROPS . . . EARTH’S TREES NUMBER “THREE TRILLION” . . .          
OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

AID PACKAGE PROMPTS COMPANIES TO RESUME HARVESTING ON QUEBEC’S NORTH SHORE
Source: Pulp and Paper Canada
On the last day of August, three forest products companies reached an agreement with the Quebec government which ends the so-called forestry crisis in Quebec’s North Shore region. For most of the summer, several companies operating in the area had removed their equipment and ceased logging, citing higher costs. The Quebec government has announced a package of aid measures to the three companies to compensate them for the economic consequences and loss of value attributed to a spruce budworm infestation. The assistance is said to include operational measures, technical support, and financial aid, for Resolute Forest Products, Boisaco, and Arbec (Port Cartier). (read more)

ISLAND GROWER PARTICIPATING IN PLANT BREEDING PROJECT
Source: Island Farmer
The development of varieties that are well suited to both organic production and the Canadian climate has been a major challenge as the organic sector continues its rapid growth.
To help fill the gap, the University of Manitoba established the Participatory Plant Breeding program in 2011. Originally confined to the Prairie Provinces, the program now includes every province except Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. (read more)

FOOD BANKS IN SOUTHEAST BENEFIT FROM BOUNTIFUL CROPS
Source: CBC.ca
Gardeners and farmers in southeast New Brunswick are taking surplus and blemished fruits and vegetables to local food banks to help get nutritious food on the tables of people in need. (read more)

EARTH’S TREES NUMBER “THREE TRILLION”
Source: BBC
There are just over three trillion trees on Earth, according to a new assessment. The figure is eight times as big as the previous best estimate, which counted perhaps 400 billion at most. It has been produced by Thomas Crowther from Yale University, and colleagues, who combined a mass of ground survey data with satellite pictures. The team tells the journal Nature that the new total represents upwards of 420 trees for every person on the planet. (read more)