Natural+Resources+-+Maritimes

=media type="custom" key="21609734"= The cons of potatoes -Anthony, Julien, Steven, Justann =media type="custom" key="21617830"= The pros of potatoes -Katie, Julie, Sam, Galen, Diane =The Potato Industry in the Maritimes=


 * FAQ of Maritimes's Natural Resource:**
 * What is the leading natural resource? || * potato ||
 * How is it extracted? || * dug up from the ground by machines or human hands. ||
 * How are the potatoes used? || * ⅔ of the world's production are used for human food
 * ⅓ for animals
 * fermented potatoes for Vodka
 *  potato starch for thickening soups
 * served as mashed potatoes, potato salad, french fries, hash browns, and chips. ||
 * Pros of developing potatoes. || * domestic and international consumption (export)
 * biofuel
 * potato plant roots keep soil compact
 * very nutritious ||
 * Cons of developing potatoes. || * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">over-farming, therefore degrading soil
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">increases pesticide, herbicide, and insecticide use
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">transportation of potatoes is unhealthy to the environment
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">diseases in potatoes, i.e: Potato Virus Y (PVY) ||
 * Who are the stakeholders of potatoes in Maritime? || * farmers
 * retailers
 * consumers
 * investors ||
 * Which branch of government is overseeing this development? || * federal
 * Standing Committees on Natural Resources
 * Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Gerry Ritz) ||
 * Who is the MLA/MP in the area? || * Mike Allen (conservative) ||
 * Which company or government agency is developing the resource? || * the Potato Research Centre funded by the Federal Government (under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canda) ||
 * How did potatoes influence the history of Canada? || * large part of average Atlantic Canadian's diet in the 1800's
 * important part of Canada's agricultural industry for over 150 years
 * most valuable crop grown coast to coast
 * 2009- Canada produced 146, 000 hectares (4.5 million tonnes) ||
 * How did potatoes come to Canada? || * European settlers brought potatoes
 * saw that Canadian climate was perfect for planting spuds ||
 * What are the alternatives for potatoes? || * turnips
 * yam
 * cauliflower
 * kale
 * celery root
 * pasta
 * rice
 * bread ||

A potato with Potato Virus Y

Article on potato funding boost - http://www.agr.gc.ca/cb/index_e.php?s1=n&s2=2012&page=n120808
 * Links**

Companies benefiting from the boost, as stated in the article http://bioatlantech.ca/ http://www.hortcouncil.ca/

A site about Canadian potatos - http://www.peipotato.org/

http://www.airwaterland.ca/article.asp?id=1376 - P.E.I. Aims To Build Maritimes' First Biofuel Facility

http://www.genomeatlantic.ca/projects/view/5-Canadian_Potato_Genome_Project

http://www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca/Canada%20/%20World/2012-08-23/article-3059152/Projects-funded-as-Potato-Research-Centre-celebrates-centennial/1

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2012/08/09/nb-potato-research-funding.html

Here is the google doc for questions:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cBIUi_LvLX40biNUhck500qtr8nXIM3wYYXi3CYDX4s/edit