HomeWelcome to infor.caNew Service available to NB Christmas Tree GrowersTo sign up for this free service, simply complete the Interactive map form and send it to Infor via fax (506.454.0652) or email (cbowie@infor.ca). Sugar Bush Management ProgramIn years past the Sugar Bush Management Program, funded by the province and delivered by INFOR, has been available to promote silviculture treatments in sugar bush stands that will enhance the growth, health and vigor of maple trees for syrup production. Funding for this program is reviewed on the annual basis, so if you find it valuable let your MLA know. Historically there have been two treatments eligible for funding: * Pre-commercial thinning to enhance the growth of young maple trees for future sap production in new or existing sugar bush * Commercial thinning to enhance the growth of maple trees for sap production in stands that are sapling age or older in new or existing sugar bush Approved thinning activities have been funded at a rate of $500.00 per hectare to a maximum of $5,000.00 per producer. Eligible sugar bush must be at LEAST five (5) hectares in size with a MINIMUM of 150 taps per hectare. Keep checking the website for details on the 2012 program year.Operators can contact INFOR Inc. at www.infor.ca, by email at infor@infor.ca, fax at 506-454-0652, phone at 506-450-8787 or toll-free at 1-877-450-8787. Printable versions of past application forms, program description and technical guidelines are below. Sugar Bush Description and Proposed Treatment Application 2011 The Future of INFOR is in jeopardy On Thursday, June 16th 2011 we received word that the Department of Natural Resources has cut INFOR's core funding by 50% (from $180,000 to $90,000) for the 2011/2012 fiscal year. This budget cut will result in a severely reduced level of service to the general public, essentially crippling forest extension in the province of New Brunswick. As many of you know, our organization has been running on a shoestring budget for several years and further cuts are not feasible if the current level of service is to be maintained. This reduction in funding forces changes within the organization that will eliminate most of our core business. Technical field services like pest management consultations with Christmas tree growers, installation, expansion and silviculture consultations with maple producers as well as general forest management consultations with private woodlot owners will be drastically limited if they are available at all. Newsletters, in-kind donations and program administration/coordination will prove to be cost prohibitive beyond June of 2012 if this decision is not reversed. Our current funds on hand in addition to the $90,000 being offered by DNR will allow to conduct business "as somewhat usual” until June 2012 at which time if no other funding arrangements have been made, INFOR may be forced to close its doors. Year after year we have been able to translate our minimal core funding of $180,000 into over $700,000 worth of investment in New Brunswick. Taking into consideration our participation in Atlantic Canadian initiatives like the SMART Christmas tree research cooperative brings this number up in excess of 2 million dollars. We simply cannot continue to leverage this kind of funding with the recently imposed budget cut. We would strongly urge you to express your views on this matter to your local MLA and the Minister of Natural Resources. We would also welcome any suggestions and comments related to the issue that you may have. At INFOR we strongly believe in the value of educating and informing the public of matters pertaining to sustainable forest management, maple production, Christmas tree production and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP's) and aspire to provide this service to the people of New Brunswick far into the future. Check out our updated Events calendar!Welcome to INFOR's website. We hope you find what you're looking for. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us using any of the methods listed down the left hand side of this page.New and Noteworthy:* Check out the Winter issue of INFORmation
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