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."

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Contacts:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
(416) 326-3072

Dave McLeod
Communications Branch
(519) 826-3198