BC is budgeting a 10% boost to spending on agricultural programs and services in the coming fiscal year. The provincial budget, released March 4, earmarks $143 million for BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food operations, programs and services, up from $130 million last year. The additional funding targets the disruptive effects of extreme weather and …
Province flags drought risk
Skirmishes over trade have put negotiations for the renewal of the Columbia River Treaty on ice, but a low provincial snowpack is underscoring the ongoing need for sound water management across the province. The BC River Forecast Centre reports that the province’s snowpack was 27% below normal on March 1, heralding low freshet risk and …
Chilliwack group wants agriculture back at fairgrounds
CHILLIWACK – Agricultural groups want a halt to the long-term shift away from agriculture at Chilliwack Heritage Park, which the city promised to maintain for agricultural groups when it opened the facility in 2001. But Tourism Chilliwack has failed to honour a memorandum of understanding the city signed to that effect with the Chilliwack and …
Cuthberts top OYF
Ladysmith farmers Thomas and Catherine Cuthbert of South Coast Agro are this year’s BC & Yukon Outstanding Young Farmer champs. Serving the niche for pasture-raised broilers and beef on Vancouver Island is just one aspect of the couple’s diversified livestock operation. They were one of two finalists at the provincial competition in Abbotsford, February 18-19. …
United front for fruit growers
Over 150 members and guests gathered at the Penticton Lakeside Resort for the BC Fruit Growers’ Association’s 136th annual convention February 20. This was more than seven times last year’s attendance, showing that the association’s “Stronger Together” message is resonating. “Stronger Together” was the rallying cry at the grower demonstration held in Osoyoos last May …
Task force members announced
Fifteen leaders in the agri-food sector have been appointed to the Premier’s Task Force on Agriculture, an initiative announced in January which will begin meeting this spring. “We are going to tackle topics that are most important to you,” BC agriculture minister Lana Popham told guests at the BC Agriculture Council’s Agri-Industry Gala, January 22. …