Yukon MP Larry Bagnell, a parliamentary secretary to Mélanie Joly, the minister of Economic Development and the minister responsible for CanNor, has announced nearly $4.6 million in federal investments for the three territories’ agri-food sectors to innovate, grow and create jobs.

Additional investments of $604,348 have been provided through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

“COVID-19 has underscored the importance of a safe, resilient food supply for all Canadians,” the federal government said in a statement last Thursday.

“Securing our food system begins in the field, and the Government of Canada is working with agri-food businesses and organizations in the territories and across the country to foster innovation and help producers embrace new technologies, increase productivity, develop value-added products and expand to new markets.”

CanNor is short for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

“Today’s announcement will help agri-food producers innovate, expand, and create value-added products for market,” said Bagnell.

“I am pleased that CanNor investments are helping to create a reliable food supply chain here in the North supporting good local jobs across the territories.”

In the Yukon, the projects include the expansion of the Northern Blue Bird Farm.

CanNor has invested $99,999 in the four-year project with a further $57,792 investment through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and $62,209 from the farm itself. The total cost of the work is $220,000.

The funding supports the establishment of a multipurpose building to house an egg grading station, processing room and storage facility as well as set up a white meat abattoir.

This project will allow the farm to further process meat into value-added products that can be sold in the Yukon.

The Horse Haven Ranch is getting money to improve cattle feed and production.

CanNor has invested $99,900 in the two-year venture with a further $55,000 investment from the Yukon government and $120,150 from Horse Haven Ranch. The total cost of the project is $275,050.

The funding supports an initiative to secure high-quality, low-cost feed to support the expansion of cattle production in the Yukon.

The ranch will be purchasing silage equipment to feed cattle and sell to other farms in the Whitehorse area.

The silage will allow low quality/previously wasted hay to be turned into a high-quality feed source.

Yukon Born and Raised Inc. is receiving funding for commercial processing.

CanNor is chipping $99,900 into this two-year project with a further $194,500 investment from Farm Credit Canada, and $19,100 from Yukon Born and Raised Inc. The total cost of the project is $313,500.

The funding supports the purchase of an existing slaughter and processing business.

It will allow the company to expand the processing and marketing of Yukon-raised meat, and to develop the Yukon meat product supply chain and support the development of the agriculture sector in the territory.

The Klondike Valley Creamery near Dawson City will get some money for new barn construction. As depicted in the Star at the time, a barn roof on the property caved in under a heavy snow load last winter.

CanNor has invested $91,515 in this two-year project with a further $91,516 investment from the creamery. The total cost of the project is $183,031.

“As Canada’s northern-most dairy barn, this project will increase Klondike Valley Creamery’s production capacity and allow the farm to meet local demand for its products,” the government said.

The Sunnyside Farm is getting $80,000 for the first phase of a a micro-dairy plant.

There is a further $5,000 investment through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and $75,000 from the Sunnyside Farm. The total cost of this phase of the project is $160,000.

The funding supports utilities infrastructure and groundworks necessary for the construction of the micro-dairy plant in the Whitehorse area.

Due to COVID-19, the project has been divided into two phases.

Building construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2021, provided travel from southern Canada is permitted.

Meanwhile, ColdAcre Food Systems Inc. is getting $76,450 toward the expansion of an all-season growing facility.

There is a further $76,450 investment from ColdAcre Food Systems Inc. The total cost of the project is $152,900.

The funding supports the expansion of the company's hydroponic growing facility and the establishment of a mushroom cultivation unit.

This project will increase the company's production capacity to better meet the needs of local consumers, increase revenues and expand their customer base.

Little Red Hen Eggs was granted $42,525 for an egg grader. The company is providing the same amount for a total cost of $85,050.

The project saw the increase of efficiency, capacity and expansion of their flock size through the purchase of a new modern egg grader.

Chilkoot Brewing Co. Ltd. (Yukon Brewing) has received $40,000 for a spent grain removal system.

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership has provided another $15,000, and there is $40,000 from Chilkoot Brewing. The total cost of the project is $95,000.

The funding supports an initiative that will allow livestock farmers to reduce their expensive feed costs. The installation of a spent grain removal system will allow spent grain to be used by local farmers at no cost.

The company will work in conjunction with the Yukon Agriculture Association to distribute grain to farmers in the Whitehorse area.

“Canada’s farmers and agri-food producers have been hit hard by COVID-19,” the government said.

“The Government of Canada has taken significant action to help them through this difficult period, and it is committed to giving them the tools they need to be part of our economic recovery and emerge from it stronger and more competitive than before.”

“The past months have highlighted the importance of a strong, resilient food supply for Canadians,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“Farmers and processors in the North are stepping up to the challenge with innovative ideas to expand their businesses and increase production.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support these initiatives, which will help put good, local food on kitchen tables across the territories, and improve food security in the North.”