Dave announces government funding for Leamington Farmers.

April 16, 2009

LEAMINGTON, Ontario, April 16, 2009 - The Governments of Canada and Ontario are creating new economic opportunities in southwestern Ontario by delivering 40 kilometers of pipeline that will provide a reliable source of water for tomato farmers and enhance their production and competitiveness.

“This is great news for farmers in Leamington and shows yet again the type of smart investments the Harper government is making during this time of economic instability," said MP Dave Van Kesteren (Chatham-Kent—Essex), who announced the investment on behalf of Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "This $1.9 million federal investment will get shovels in the ground and help deliver water for up to 1500 acres of tomato fields."

A dependable water supply will help producers better manage risks, increase their yields and meet growing global demand, as well as deliver consistent quality and adopt new technologies and tomato varieties. It will also benefit the municipality and the environment by building local capacity and protecting the local watershed from water shortages during dry seasons.

The funding will help the Leamington Area Drip Irrigation Inc., with the construction of a water supply pipeline for irrigation. The project includes 40 kilometres of distribution pipeline, a pumphouse and filter, and 63 field taps. The pipeline will have the capability of delivering 26,500 litres of water per minute.

“This project will help local farmers boost production of high value crops and will also protect the environment and lift the local economy,” said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Our Government is pleased to support an innovative, producer-led solution.”

The Canada-Ontario Water Supply Expansion Program was a component of the National Water Supply Expansion Program, a federal-provincial program which has helped develop, enhance and protect agricultural water supplies across Canada. A new suite of programs under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, is currently being rolled out with its own program specifics for water supply expansion.

For more information on Growing Forward programs, visit www.agr.gc.ca/GrowingForward, or call 1-866-457-2377.