Staff at an Agriculture Agri-Food Canada research farm in Nappan, Nova Scotia, received notification of workforce reductions on Thursday. The federal government has not revealed specific details regarding the future of the facility. The Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture acknowledged the closure notice at the Cumberland County site and is actively seeking further clarification on the matter.
Carolyn Van Den Heuvel, the executive director of the federation, expressed concerns raised by members regarding the potential implications for the agricultural sector. She emphasized the farm’s crucial role in supporting the beef and forage industries in Atlantic Canada through valuable research initiatives.
Established in 1887, the Nappan Research Farm is among Canada’s original five experimental farms. While Agriculture Agri-Food Canada confirmed a total of 665 job cuts nationwide, details on the number of positions affected at the Nappan farm and any closure plans remain undisclosed.
Local stakeholders, such as Truro-area beef farmer Larry Weatherby and Independent MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, voiced disappointment over the decision to shut down the research farm. Weatherby highlighted the farm’s contributions to forage production tailored to the region’s climate, benefiting the cattle and sheep industries in the Maritimes.
Smith-McCrossin questioned the timing of the closure announcement, especially following news of Canadian beef re-entering the Chinese market, emphasizing the importance of investing in local food security and research efforts.
Jonathan McClelland, from the Cumberland Business Connector, estimated that around 10 to 15 individuals are employed at the Nappan farm. He warned that the nationwide workforce reductions could diminish Canada’s competitive edge in the agriculture and food manufacturing sectors, urging increased investment in industry growth.
A spokesperson for Liberal MP Alana Hirtle stated that they are actively engaging with Agriculture Agri-Food Canada to gather more information and address public concerns regarding the situation. The Nappan facility had previously faced closure threats in 2005.
The potential closure of the Nappan Research Farm has stirred reactions from various stakeholders, expressing the farm’s significance to the local agricultural community and highlighting the need for continued support for research and innovation in the sector.