February 28, 2005
Conservation Minister Stan Struthers today announced funding of $50,000 through the Sustainable Development Innovations Fund (SDIF) in support of the EarthShare Agricultural Co-operative for research, development and demonstration of a commercially-viable sustainable farm at the Fort Whyte Centre.
“This innovative organic sustainable model farm will be open to the public for educational tours and workshops on organic fruit and vegetable production,” said Struthers. “This project shows creativity in pursuing ideas with a focus on sustainability, the environment and educating Manitobans of all ages on agricultural alternatives.”
The EarthShare project is one of 20 projects totalling $416,890 funded in the latest round of grants under the SDIF. Some of the other initiatives supported include traditional land-use studies, development of community gardens and support for education and awareness activities and materials.
In a joint partnership, EarthShare Agricultural Co-operative has relocated its farming operation from a 4.5-acre site in Anola to a 25-acre site at Fort Whyte Centre in Winnipeg. The farm will provide research and education on agro-ecological principles and practices and will operate within the standards of the Organic Producers’ Association of Manitoba.
The farm will also demonstrate soil conservation practices and water conservation through recycling potable and gray water, and micro-irrigation. Energy conservation will be shown through the use of passive solar energy, a heat exchange system and an electric germination chamber.
“The EarthShare site will be the only one on the Prairies devoted to the research, development and demonstration of commercially-viable agro-ecological practices,” said Struthers. “It will also be the only site in the city of Winnipeg open to the public for educational tours and workshops on organic fruit and vegetable production.”
SDIF supports a diverse range of projects, from research studies and demonstration of new technology to community enhancement and environmental awareness.
Other targeted funding programs under the SDIF are:
the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention Fund,
the Environmental Youth Corps, and
the Manitoba Climate Change Action Fund.
More information on these programs is available at http://www.susdev.gov.mb.ca.
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PROJECT LIST
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INNOVATIONS FUND PROJECTS AND GRANTS
Charleswood Rotary Club, Assiniboine Forest Wetland Enhancement Project, $20,000 to preserve and enhance the wetlands in Assiniboine Forest.
EarthShare Agricultural Co-operative, EarthShare Organic Farm, $50,000 to establish a 25-acre self-financing organic farm site at the Fort Whyte Centre providing training and employment opportunities for refugees and inner-city youth.
Hollow Water First Nation, Wanibigaaw Aki (Four Directions Land-Use Study), $25,000 to complete a traditional land-use study incorporating First Nation values.
Looking Glass Interactive Inc. and Cyngus Films Inc., Camp Kaboomee, $25,000 to create an interactive website on environmental issues for children accessible in a number of languages including English, French, Inuuk and Ojibway.
Manitoba Conservation, Aboriginal Relations Branch, Integrating Aboriginal People in Resource Management, $5,000 to host the third bi-annual, inter-jurisdictional conference at the University of Manitoba from May 30 to June 5, 2005.
Manitoba Technology Centre/Enviro-Test Laboratories, Faecal Source Tracking in Manitoba, $20,000 to determine sources of E. coli contamination in water by using automated DNA ribotyping, a DNA-based test used to identify and classify bacteria.
Manitoba Wildlife Rehabilitation Organization Inc., Relocation of MWRO Rehab Centre, $25,000 to assist in relocating the MWRO Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, which is currently located at the Glenlea Research Station.
Marymound Inc., Marymound Community Garden Project, $3,015 to involve youth and seniors in creating a community garden and growing traditional ceremonial plants.
Nicely Done Entertainment Ltd., Sounds Crazy, $25,000 to develop and produce an entertaining, interactive, multi-media learning resource for grade school students focusing on sustainable development and conservation issues.
Rivers West-Red River Corridor Association Inc., Red River Floodway Trail Coalition, $17,500 to develop a comprehensive plan for a greenway trail along the expanded Red River Floodway.
Rivers West-Red River Corridor Association Inc., Red River Greenway, Mapping Project, $15,000 to develop a comprehensive database and create a series of maps of the Red River Corridor for use in developing Manitoba’s portion of the international greenway.
Sierra Youth Coalition, University of Manitoba, Sixth Annual Sustainable Campuses Conference, $3,000 for the Sixth National Annual Sustainable Campuses Conference. The conference addressed issues of sustainable transportation, renewable energy, social responsibility, social and environmental justice and education for sustainability, and highlighted local indigenous sustainable accomplishments, perspectives and traditions.
Spirit Way Inc., Boreal Forest Display/Spirit Way, $10,000 for a boreal forest display to be situated within the boreal forest located within the city limits of Thompson as part of a walkway project called The Spirit Way.
University of Manitoba, Department of Biosystems Engineering, Development of Design Standards for Open Confined Livestock Areas, $25,000 to conduct a comprehensive study to fully assess the extent of contamination within selected confined livestock areas under Manitoba conditions.
University of Manitoba, Department of Biosystems Engineering, Modelling the Task of Operating an Agricultural Sprayer, $16,500 for phase two of a three-year field research project using GPS technology to reduce overuse of pesticides.
University of Manitoba, Department of Civil Engineering, Recycle of Industrial Waste to Reduce Nitrate Load from Municipal Waste Water: Case Study of Winnipeg, $25,000 to identify and test alternative sources of biodegradable carbon for nitrate removal in municipal plants by using waste water or waste materials from various industry sources.
University of Manitoba, Delta Marsh Field Station, Water Quality in Lake Manitoba, $25,000 for a two-year water quality study of Lake Manitoba to address concerns regarding various potential threats to water quality.
University of Manitoba, Department of Soil Science, Water Contamination Risk Indicators: Validation, $6,875 to correlate information between regional water quality and indicators of risk of water contamination by phosphorus from agricultural land.
University of Manitoba, Department of Geological Sciences, Evaluation of Arsenic Contamination in the Ground and Surface Water in Areas Surrounding the Arsenopyrite Stockpile, Snow Lake, $50,000 to conduct a two-year research project regarding the high arsenic content of surface and groundwater surrounding the arsenopyrite residue pile from the Nor-Acme Mine in Snow Lake.
West Region Tribal Council, First Nations Wildlife and Disease Monitoring, $25,000 for wildlife monitoring and sample collecting activities around Riding Mountain National Park for determination of bovine tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease. The project will be carried out in conjunction with Manitoba Conservation and Parks Canada.