Approximately 70 farmers markets in BC plan to take online orders this summer thanks to a provincial grant of $55,000. “The online thing is not replacing physical farmers markets,” says Heather O’Hara, exective director of the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets, which represents 145 markets across the province. Online sales won’t replace what the province’s …
Food security demands out-of-box thinking
Food security has been a core public health program of the BC Ministry of Health since 2005. A food security model core program was released in 2006. The original program was updated in 2013. The paper outlines the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s definition of food security, and the four dimensions required to achieve …
Groundwater bill causes confusion for Island farmer
NORTH SAANICH – A farmer in North Saanich is questioning how the province charges farmers for groundwater after registering his well and being billed for drawing water – even though his farm is on municipal water. Hamish Crawford grows wheat, grapes and a small amount berries and eggs on his 10-acre farm north of Victoria. …
Dairy producers surveyed on regulation impact
SALMON ARM – The BC Dairy Association is compiling data to better understand the financial impact on farms of the new Agricultural Environmental Management Code of Practice (AEM Code). “We’re working to understand an accurate assessment of the AEM code-related costs on farms,” says BCDA general manager Jeremy Dunn. “We’re trying to get a high …
Abattoirs required to cut back overtime
KAMLOOPS – Provincially licensed abattoir operators have been put on notice that regular shifts for provincial meat inspectors must not exceed seven hours a day unless authorized by the province. “I am asking that all slaughter establishment operators adhere strictly to the scheduled inspection services, which do not exceed seven hours per day,” Gavin Last, …
Funding will help farmers address nutrient runoff
SALMON ARM – Water quality in the Shuswap region will benefit from $100,000 in grants over the coming year through a new program launched this spring. The Shuswap Watershed Council is making the funds available to projects aimed at protecting long-term water quality in the region through better nutrient management. “What we’re looking for is …