Agriculture
Zone 9 has a very diverse agriculture industry; there are approximately 20 agriculture sites in the Bay St. George/Port au Port region, giving it the largest sized farming area in Western Newfoundland1. Many of these farms harvest traditional root crops, such as potatoes and carrots among other things. Recently, there have been new developments in the area, such as two cranberry fields, located in Cold Brook and Stephenville Crossing. These farms have plans already underway to expand their acreage, and are currently testing out the viability of the marketplace.

The dairy industry is significant in western Newfoundland. In 2009 the dairy industry employed 480 people in this area, with that number expected to rise to 560 in 20152. There are two dairy farms located in Zone 9, which includes New World Dairy Ltd.. This company operates out of St. David’s and boasts that it is the third largest dairy producer in Canada, having 1,200 head of cattle1.

The demographics of the region show that there will be opportunities for new farmers in the near future, as 77% of farmers are over the age of 45, with the average age being 553. Currently, local famers are in the process of growing the industry further, with 21.7 million invested in farming equipment and infrastructure. The provincial government is also helping to expand and support the industry. Since 2006 they have been providing funding to determine the potential of expanding existing farm lands for multi-agricultural purposes, as well as the development of secondary processing of meats. Besides this investment funding, the provincial government has also provided 16 farms in the Bay St. George/Port au Port area with a total of 124,250 dollars for agricultural purposes, with the intent of sustaining and advancing Zone 9’s agriculture in the future4.

Scroll over each point on the agriculture map to learn more about what business is located in that community, and what it is they do. You can also click on the related links below to read in more detail various aspects of agriculture related to our Zone.

For more information on agriculture within the zone please review the Agriculture Database.

Agriculture Related Links

Department of Natural Resources
  		•  Includes information on land, plants and animals, as well as statistics and development tactics for the industry.
    Census of Agriculture
  		•  Includes a detailed list of statistics on farms in the province, as well as others such as farmer demographics.
    Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
  		•  Agriculture development of the Bay St. George area. Also includes other industry developments.
    NL Federation of Agriculture
  		•  Includes information on the federation itself, as well as how to become a member. Features newsletters highlighting farms and agricultural activity in Newfoundland.
    Department of Natural Resources
  		•  Information from the provincial government on funding, developing and future initiatives for the cranberry industry.


    1 Fisheries and Oceans Canada (in press). (2009). Social, Economic and Cultural Overview of Western Newfoundland and Southern Labrador.
    2 Environment and Conservation. (2010). Innovative technology will promote environmentally friendly farming practices. Retrieved from www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2010/env/0421n02.htm
    3 Agrapoint. (2010). Agricultural and Agrifoods Industry Assessment. Long Range Regional Economic Development Board and Mountain Zone Corp.
    4 Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. (2006). Economic development initiatives announced for Bay St. George. Retrieved from http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2006/intrd/0818n01.htm
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