SAANICH – From inside a refurbished freight container, the future of farming is extremely bright. Ribbons of red and blue LED grow lights hang from the ceiling, super-charging the growth of vertical columns of greens. Welcome to Bright Greens Canada, one of BC’s first so-called ‘freight farms.’ “This is a refurbished 40-foot shipping container that …
Marketing board reviewing dairy quota
VANCOUVER – The BC Milk Marketing Board is beginning another review of its quota and solids-non-fat policies, producers were told at the BCMMB annual meeting and producer meeting in Vancouver on December 2. The review is intended to address production shortages and an unhealthy butterfat to solids-non-fat ratio. BCMMB member Jeremy Wiebe noted 15,000 to …
Hazelnut growers optimistic
CHILLIWACK – The BC hazelnut industry has bottomed out, BC Hazelnut Growers’ Association director Thom O’Dell told a large group of current and potential new growers at the hazelnut field day at Helmut Hooge’s farm in Chilliwack in September. Once flourishing in the Fraser Valley, hazelnut growers started falling on hard times when Eastern Filbert …
David Schmidt honored with lifetime achievement award
SASKATOON – Country Life in BC’s own David Schmidt was honoured with a lifetime achievement award in September by the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation (CFWF). The award recognizes long-serving members who have made outstanding contributions to the organization and to the agricultural communications or media industries. Schmidt has been a leader within BC’s farm writing …
Port development trumps BC agriculture: federal minister MacAuley
VANCOUVER – Lower Mainland farmland could be sacrificed to ensure agri-food exports can move to market quickly and efficiently, federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay told Country Life in BC. “We do not want to lose agricultural land but it’s no good producing products that you can’t move, either,” MacAulay said, answering a question from Country …