1. Antigonish County Agriculture Snapshot April 8 Adam Wile Agricultural Transition Officer 1-902-863-2087

2. Contact info Adam Wile 1-902-863-2087 wilean@gov.ns.ca I act as an industry liaison and project coordinator with groups looking to support or grow agriculture or agricultural opportunities in the province.

3. Antigonish County Farms20112006 Dairy34 Beef4059 Chicken egg42 Chicken broiler13 Horse910 Animal combination128 Fruit and Tree Nut4638 Nursery and Tree Production4239 Hay2720

4. Antigonish County Farms20112006 Total Number 235226 Under 10 acres1512 10 to 69 acres2825 70 to 129 acres3922 130 to 179 acres1716 180 to 239 acres3027 240 to 399 acres5259 400 to 559 acres2936 560 to 759 acres1311

5. Antigonish County Land in Crops: 19,214 acres Area Owned: 59,398 acres Crops: –Alfalfa: 5,921 acres –Hay: 9,627 acres –Blueberries: 2,088 acres Livestock –Beef: 1,596 –Dairy: 2,527 –Sheep and Lambs: 1,085

6. Antigonish County Total gross farm receipts 2010 –$26,119,156 Total farm business operating expenses –$21,011,447 Number of employees: 513 Total number of farm operators: 290

7. Antigonish County Farmer/operator age –Under 35: 20 –35-54: 120 –55 and older: 160 Average age: 54.3

8. Observed Trends Increase in women operators Increase in small acreage farms Increase in value added primary products Increase in # farmers markets Increased local food movement

9. Observed Trends Decrease in beef farming Decrease in Hog farming Margins are becoming smaller Aging farming population Climate Change

10. Provincial Government Initiatives Grass Fed Beef Biomass initiative Select Nova Scotia THINKfarm Farm Energy Many regional initiatives and projects

11. Regional Staff Eastern: –Adam Wile –Kevin Bekkers Cape Breton: –Adam Wile –Gary Koziel Central: –Michael Kittilsen

12. THINKfarm http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/thinkfarm/

13. Discussion