For immediate release: 19 July 2006
Ontario Government Helps Educate Students About Agriculture
Supports Initiative That Puts Agriculture In The Classroom
QUEEN'S PARK - The Ontario government is helping to educate students
about agriculture by supporting Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. (OAFE),
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky announced
today.
"This organization works with the agri-food industry to provide
educational resources for elementary and secondary school teachers to
use in their classrooms," said Dombrowsky. "The McGuinty government
believes it is important that students learn about food production, healthy
eating, food safety and the many common issues faced by urban and rural
Ontarians."
The government is investing $1.2 million over three years to support
agricultural education initiatives benefiting students and the agri-food
sector. Today's announcement of $400,000 is the third installment under
a three-year Memorandum of Understanding signed by the province and OAFE.
The OAFE will use its funding to develop and distribute agri-food resources
that meet the needs of the current curriculum, provide training for educators
through workshops and conferences, and support and train local agri-food
committees in their efforts to educate youth through public events.
"Teaching young people where food comes from, how to make healthy
lifestyle choices, and the career opportunities that the agri-food industry
provides to them, is a task of growing importance," adds Cathy Mous,
Chair of OAFE. "The ongoing support of the Ontario government is
important to our success and we would like to thank Minister Dombrowsky
and her colleagues for their trust."
The McGuinty government is on the side of families in rural Ontario.
Other initiatives in support of rural families include:
- Recognizing the unique needs of rural schools with the $230 million
for school repairs, library books and transition programs
- Investing over $22 million in rural communities through the Rural
Economic Development Program
- Assisting approximately 4,000 rural youth to find meaningful summer
employment close to home.
OAFE is a not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to enhancing
the learning experiences of students with high quality, objective and
curriculum-based agriculture and food related resources and programs for
Ontario educators.
"By continuing to support the work of Ontario Agri-Food Education,
we are teaching youth about Ontario's diverse agri-food industry, our
safe and healthy food supply and the career opportunities available to
them," said Dombrowksy. "We are helping to create better informed
consumers who will support Ontario's agri-food sector in the future."
- 30 -
Contacts:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
(416) 326-3072
Dave McLeod
Communications Branch
(519) 826-3198
