ABBOTSFORD – Potential problems bringing in seasonal farm workers have been averted. Western Agricultural Labour Initiative (WALI) program manager Veronica Moreno warned growers at a BC Landscape & Nursery Association meeting in Abbotsford on December 17 that they could face delays receiving Mexican workers through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) at the beginning of …
Open ears
VICTORIA – The grandfathering period for secondary residences in the Agricultural Land Reserve for immediate family has been extended until the end of the year as the province commences yet another consultation with farmers. The province moved to grandfather secondary homes for family in the ALR last July, recognizing that people had been taken unawares …
Annual gala yields awards
BC’s agriculture sector gathered to grow their knowledge and relationships at the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford, January 30-February 1, with more than 8,500 people attending. A chance to recognize the accomplishments of the past year and be nourished for the future occurred the night before the event kicked off, however, with the annual gala …
Dairy producers payout
A first round of compensation to BC dairy farmers for market share lost thanks to concessions Canada granted during trade talks that resulted in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has been almost entirely paid out. According to the Canadian Dairy Commission, 93% of …
Canada recognizes agriculture
The first half of February includes several key dates for raising awareness of the challenges agriculture in Canada faces. On the one hand, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture proclaims Food Freedom Day, the date by which estimates suggest the typical family has earned enough money to pay its food bill for the year. It’s modelled …
Seasonal workers start to arrive
BC landscape and nursery owners are ready to welcome seasonal farm workers after concerns that biometric requirements would delay arrivals this winter. Nurseries are typically the first farm operations in the province to receive workers under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), but some feared that a requirement for workers to provide biometric information would …