The Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) has announced the recipients of its 2021 Agricultural Enhancement Grants.
A total of $160,250 was granted to seven local farming initiatives that met the project criteria of agriculture innovation with a technology focus – including research and development – that will benefit the agriculture industry overall.
The ACF has been providing grants to the agricultural community since 2013. Board chair Andrea Senft said almost $1 million has been awarded during that time.
The ACF committee is composed of local farmers and individuals with a passion for serving the Abbotsford farming community.
Marcus Jansen, chair of the Agricultural Enhancement Grants committee, said “the focus of agriculture innovation has been identified as an area of rapid growth and change.”
“Each of the grant recipients has specific projects targeted to advancing technologies or research to benefit the agricultural sector,” he said.
RELATED: 2020 Agricultural Enhancement Grant recipients
RELATED: 2019 Agricultural Enhancement Grant recipients
ACF executive director Wendy Neufeld said there were a number of worthy applications.
A presentation of the grants was held at each farm location and a short video summary of the projects will be available online at abbotsfordcf.org.
This year’s recipients are:
• Point 3 Biotech – $40,000 for “Manure Management as a Service” toolkit development
• Ravens Brewing Company – $17,500 for sugar beets for the liquor industry
• University of the Fraser Valley – $20,000 for capacity building for field corn testing for the dairy sector
• Trident Processes – $15,000 for manure management as a service, trials and demonstration
• Windberry Farms – $25,000 for labour and water savings, enabling high-value crops on low-grade land
• Triple AAA Farms – $20,000 for Buddha Berry Farm Blueberry Leaf Tea
• Integrated Crop Management Services – $22,750 for a plant pathology lab