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Mar 9, 2010
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AESA Processing Based Program - Innovative Ideas
As the agri-food processing industry in Alberta continues to expand, so do some of the environmental management challenges. This industry contributes around ten billion dollars per year to the Alberta economy, and employs over 22,500 people. "We want to ensure the agri-food processing industry can continue to expand, and is recognized as a safe, clean, environmentally friendly component of the Alberta economy," says Terry Rachuk, AESA Council member and Industrial Technology Advisor with the National Research Council. "One of the ways we are trying to help is through the AESA (Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture) Processing Based Program."
The AESA Processing Based Program is designed to assist agri-food processors to develop and adopt more environmentally friendly processing practices and policies. "We want to help companies reduce environmental impacts of agri-food processing on the environment," says Jimmy Yao, Processing Engineer with the Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Processing Development Centre. We also want to help build industry environmental stewardship and consumer confidence through awareness, extension and education programs.
"Our intent with the program is to help industry, both established and new startups, recognize environmental issues as a cost of doing operations and to find ways to address these issues," says Rachuk. "Many of the environmental strategies are new things that haven't been addressed before and there is a certain amount of risk involved in tackling these environmental concerns." The AESA Processing Based Program helps mitigate the risk to companies by cost sharing in the investments.
The AESA Processing Based Program is available to Canadian companies registered to carry on business in Alberta, or a recognized government or academic research establishment in Alberta. To find out more about the program, project and cost eligibility, and how to apply, click here.
The Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (AESA) Agri-Food Processing Scholarship Fund
Alberta has the potential to substantially increase its agri-food industry, however there are a number of issues that will impact the growth of the industry such as environmental sustainability. The AESA processing committee has identified the need to support the processing industry in key areas such as research and development with programs that have clear direction, focus and accountability. The committee also recognizes an opportunity to attract new students to the food processing industry and financial support such as a scholarship to students for courses and/or projects would be a strong incentive. A total budget of $10,000 per year with a maximum of $3000 per student is available for this purpose. Applications for scholarship funding will be accepted until December 15, 2006.
The AESA Agri-Food Processing Scholarship Fund is being offered in partnership between Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, the AESA Processing Committee and Alberta Food Processing Association. Click here for the Scholarship Application.
For more information, contact:
Michelle McKinnon at 403-948-8512 or email at michelle.mckinnon@gov.ab.ca
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