January 30, 2006

THE PAS—The new Valleys North GO team is ready to help northern producers and entrepreneurs capture emerging opportunities to diversify agricultural ventures, create new businesses and add to the value chain of locally available agri-food and non-timber forest products, Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced here today at the official launch of the team at the The Pas GO Centre.

"The specialists on the Valleys North GO team know how to combine the needs of modern agriculture with the evolving food industry and the demands of consumers in the marketplace for healthy, natural goods like those produced here," said Wowchuk. "They have the expertise to help the producers and entrepreneurs in our northern and rural areas to grow sustainable businesses, build strong communities and succeed in new innovative ways."

The minister noted that a new business development specialist, Don Dunnigan, has been hired and will be working out of the GO Centre in The Pas.

The Valleys North GO team works from The Pas and Swan River GO centres and will provide their services to communities throughout the northern part of the province. Their emphasis is on agricultural diversification and value-added processes. The GO team will focus on business and co-op development and financing, community economic development, best management practices and development of opportunities for youth. The Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation insurance and lending staff is also an important part of the team.

"I congratulate the initiative of the producers and entrepreneurs here who have produced or created exciting and new food products, designed impressive original crafts and launched successful businesses," said Wowchuk. "It is efforts like these that make communities vibrant and strong."

Local entrepreneurs displaying products or contributing menu items for the luncheon included:

• Northern Bounty Products – producing a birch-blended syrup wine called Tansi;

• Wild Man Ricing – producing wild rice and wild rice soup;

• Icewater Caviar Ltd. – producing Canadian freshwater caviar for international export;

• North Glen Deer Farms – providing fallow deer meat;

• Bill Perchaluk – producing honey with key sales to Bee Maid Honey;

• Manitoba Métis Federation, The Pas local – displaying Aboriginal crafts hand made by area residents; and

• Northern Forest Diversification Centre – helping entrepreneurs create and market non-timber forest products like medicinal herbs, wild teas, soaps, food products and antler jewelry.

"The entrepreneurs here have clearly demonstrated that business opportunities are built on imagination and determination," said Wowchuk. "With the support of our agriculture and business specialists and all of the Valleys North GO team, we can work together to meet the challenges of world markets and bring international recognition and economic strength to our province."

Creating Opportunities public consultations encouraging entrepreneurs and producers to discuss ideas and develop new value-added opportunities were also scheduled with the minister and the GO team following the day’s program.

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