ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Enhancement of Underutilized Farmland

Producer members of the Coopérative forestière du Nord-Ouest (CoFNO), located in Clair, wanted to use agricultural land to their full potential. They’ve decided to grow honeyberries, a small fruit which looks like blueberry because of its color, tastes delicious and could be transformed into several by-products.

The main purpose is to transform the honeyberry in a local factory facility. With a cooperative business model, where the owners are producers, workers and investors who share benefits and create economic activity.

In 2013, 1,000 plants were planted in the Clair region of New Brunswick. Thanks to the opportunity created by the CoFNO that brought producers together, it is 80,000 plants (100 acres) that are now growing, not only in New Brunswick but also in northern Maine and the Témiscouata, all three sectors of Acadia of the Lands and Forests.

It is expected that in 7 years, 240,000 kilos will be processed annually into juice, syrup, alcoholic liquor or simply dried.

It is together that we succeed here!