Press Release – For Immediate Release
Fredericton, NB: The agriculture and food-processing sector in New Brunswick has been an important growth industry in recent years. International exports in this sector have increased by 56 percent in the past five years and were valued at just under $2 billion in 2018. New Brunswickers are able to enjoy more than 60 locally grown foods such as chicken, milk products, potatoes, maple syrup, blueberries, apples and cranberries.
But the sector is facing growing challenges related to workforce recruitment and retention. There are 16,500 people working in agriculture and food processing across the province and more than one out of every three workers are over the age of 55. Nearly three out of every five farmers are over the age of 55.
The Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick, in partnership with the provincial government, has developed a survey that will be sent to NB farmers asking them to provide input into the development of an agriculture sector workforce strategy.
“Farmer input will be critical to assisting the Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick, the provincial government and other partners in the development of this workforce strategy for the agriculture sector. This is not just another survey to get their opinions. The results of this survey will be used to craft specific strategies meant to help address workforce shortages now and into the future”, said Christian Michaud, Alliance President.
We are hopeful that many farmers across the province will help us with this project.
For more information on the survey or the new agriculture sector workforce strategy, please contact:
Josée Albert
Chief Executive Officer
Agricultural Alliance of NB
506-452-8101
Link to English version of the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AANB
Link to the French version of the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AANBFR
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