POWELL RIVER – Two decades of farming on the Sunshine Coast could be nearing their end for a Powell River couple following the Agricultural Land Commission’s rejection of proposals aimed at diversifying their operation. “It’s not easy. With the cost of everything going up, most farmers are starting to go, ‘hey, we’ve got to diversify,’” …
Showdown looms over co-op’s surplus
A year after the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative shut its doors, work towards winding up the operation continues. While most of the assets have been sold, what happens to surplus funds leftover after its debts are paid remains a live issue. Creditor payments are expected to be finalized by late August, leaving an estimated $17 …
Biobest acquires North Vancouver’s Ecoation
North Vancouver-based agritech start-up Ecoation Innovative Solutions Inc. is now part of Biobest. Biobest purchased Ecoation’s business, certain assets and acquired key personnel as part of the deal, which completed July 17. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ecoation will operate as part of Biobest, which acquired an equity interest in Ecoation four years …
Metro Vancouver invites DCC feedback
Growers are being invited to provide Metro Vancouver with feedback on proposed changes to development cost charges (DCCs) collected to fund the region’s water infrastructure. Greenhouse growers pushed back against DCC increases last year, winning a reduction or waiver of DCCs for “agricultural developments designed to result in a low environmental impact.” An interim bylaw …
Hazelnuts enjoy strong pricing as global production falls short
ABBOTSFORD – Production volumes are rising as BC hazelnut orchards mature following replanting with varieties resistant to Eastern Filbert Blight. “We’re about 10 years in after replanting … and we’re starting to see a lot of good yields,” says Steve Hope, co-owner of Fraser Valley Hazelnuts in Chilliwack, who delivered the hazelnut market outlook during …
Summer school cultivates future farmers
CHILLIWACK – There’s a high school in Chilliwack where summer school has a waitlist. “Every year, we have students transfer into our school to take the ag program,” says Sardis Secondary School agriculture program teacher Joe Massie. “And we have 100 high school students signed up for [the summer program]. We also have 40 elementary …