For immediate release: October 2, 2006

McGuinty Government Helps Farmers Connect With Consumers
Support For AGCare Will Help Educate Public On Contributions Of Farmers

Queen's Park - The McGuinty government is helping consumers understand the contributions farmers make to our environment, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky announced today.

"Today's farmers use programs and technologies that increase food safety and protect the environment," said Dombrowsky. "AGCare helps educate Ontario consumers about farmers' important contribution to responsible farming and sound environmental stewardship."

The Government of Ontario is providing $50,000 to Agricultural Groups Concerned about Resources and the Environment (AGCare). This funding will enable AGCare to promote agricultural use of modern technology and the benefits these offer to consumers.

AGCare is a coalition of 16 farm groups representing Ontario's 45,000 field and horticultural crop growers. The organization provides science and research-based information on pesticide use, crop biotechnology developments, nutrient management and other related environmental issues to consumers and the media.

"AGCare appreciates the ongoing support of the Ontario government in helping us to build greater awareness about current issues and practices in agriculture, said Max Kaiser, interim AGCare chair. "This investment will help us keep Ontario's agricultural sector in the forefront of environmental stewardship and responsible farming, and create greater public appreciation of its achievements."

The funding for AGCare is one of the ways the McGuinty government is on the side of rural families. Other initiatives include:

• Providing $910 million over the past three years for farm income stabilization and support programs, including $110 million in new provincial funding announced at this year's International Plowing Match
  
• Investing $26 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Program, and
  
• Contributing, with the Government of Canada, up to $298 million to the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) over five years to improve and renew public infrastructure. The province announced an additional $75 million for rural infrastructure at the International Plowing Match.

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

Dave McLeod
Communications Branch
519-826-3198