TORONTO, Ontario – The Government of Canada will support an awareness campaign to showcase the positive contributions made by Ontario farmers and their families. Farmers work hard and play a vital role all across Canada. The important contributions that farmers make to society will be highlighted in a $1.3 million agriculture awareness campaign in Ontario, funded by the Government of Canada. The grant was announced today by Bev Shipley, Member of Parliament for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.

"Farmers are the producers of our high quality and safe food," said Mr. Shipley. "The Government of Canada is pleased to support this innovative project demonstrating the essential role farmers play in the Canadian economy."

The awareness campaign will be run by the Presidents' Council, formed in 2004 as a venue for the leaders of Ontario's agricultural organizations to discuss the issues and challenges facing the industry. The 18-month campaign will use television ads and a website to showcase the positive contributions made by Ontario farmers and their families. Currently the Council represents 27 agricultural groups in the province.

The $1.3 million in funding will flow to the Presidents' Council from the Agricultural Adaptation Council's (AAC) CanAdvance program. ACC's funding for this project is provided by the Government of Canada.

"The Board of Directors recognizes that it's not enough for Ontario farmers to produce quality food; we also need to be effective when it comes to talking with consumers," said Bette Jean Crews, AAC Chair. "The Presidents' Council project will raise awareness of the calibre and importance of Ontario's agricultural industry, and hopefully it will increase interest in everything farmers do and produce."