Agriculture Land Development Pilot Project Launched in Western Region

The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources is undertaking a large-scale land development pilot project to further improve access to Crown Land for agriculture. For the first time, new and existing farmers interested in commercial fruit and vegetable production are being invited to submit proposals to lease property that is being prepared for agriculture development.

This initiative is important as the province aims to increase food self-sufficiency by at least 20 per cent by 2022 as outlined in The Way Forward.

Applicants interested in leasing land in the Town of Reidville are required to submit a proposal through the Call for Proposals process. New entrants to the vegetable sector will be given preference. Proposals must be received by Friday, March 9, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. Details on the proposal process can be found at www.faa.gov.nl.ca/agrifoods/land/obtaining_land/requests_for_proposals.html.

The property is located on Rocky Brook Road and contains approximately 71.66 acres. Of that amount, 34.6 acres are ready for agriculture development. Work is ongoing to prepare the remainder for spring 2018. The land was purchased by the Provincial Government under the Provincial Agriculture Land Consolidation Program in December, 2016.