September 22, 2005

ARBORG—Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) Minister Rosann Wowchuk joined the celebration at the GO Centre here today for the official launch of the North Interlake GO team and the announcement of four additional business development specialists for rural Manitoba.

"The expertise of this GO team is a valuable tool to help producers diversify and add value to their products in order to develop value-chain opportunities and build new markets locally, nationally and internationally," said Wowchuk. "They are ready to help rural Manitobans access modern solutions and empower them to seize upon new opportunities."

The office’s emphasis is on diversification and value-added processes. The GO team will focus on business development and financing, community economic development, best management practices, and leadership and youth programs in order to achieve this.

In reference to community development, the minister announced MAFRI is in the process of hiring four business development specialists to work with GO teams in Arborg, Hamiota, Killarney and The Pas.

For the North Interlake GO team, the minister introduced Melodie Friesen, who was recently hired as the business development specialist-community development. Friesen takes her position in October and will be based in the Arborg GO Centre, offering services to rural communities, the agri-food sector and farm clientele in the area of community economic development. She was raised in the Riverton area and has completed her master’s degree in economics specializing in community economic development.

"Today’s agriculture industry goes well beyond crops and livestock," said the minister. "We want to focus on adding value to primary production by developing and commercializing new foods, developing and marketing alternative bio-energy, exploring agri-forestry and tapping into the growing market for neutraceuticals and functional foods. Our business development specialists will help create economic benefits for communities."

The North Interlake GO Team works out of the Arborg and Ashern GO Centres and the Fisher Branch and Lundar GO Offices. The services of the specialists here also include extension and production information for producers. Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation insurance and lending staff are also an important part of the team.

The minister noted the Interlake region has generated a wide variety of successful new business ventures including the production of biodiesel fuel from grains and food processing of meat and baked goods. The agri-forestry industry has advanced with the help of MAFRI’s agri-forestry specialist. Several communities have also taken advantage of Hometown Manitoba grants to improve main streets and public places that add to community life and yield tourism opportunities.

There are now 20 GO Centres and 22 GO Offices throughout Manitoba, providing the same blend of traditional services and new, value-capturing leadership that will help to create vibrant and sustainable rural communities.

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