“Farmers are busy people,” according to a new guide for food hub operators, which provides tips on how to engage producers and ensure the food hubs that add value to their products are resilient and sustainable. “This is not simply a step-by-step linear planning guide,” says Sarah-Patricia Breen, BC Regional Innovation Chair in Rural Economic …
Delta growers honoured
Delta Farmers Institute (DFI) held its 116th Farmers Ball on November 15 with producers young and old recognized for their contributions to the local farming community. Cory and Holley Gerrard as well as Joel Swenson of Rod Swenson Farms received the Young Farmer Recognition Award for their work keeping the Swenson legacy alive. “Holley and …
Federal budget kills Living Labs
The innovative Living Labs initiative that cultivated localized on-farm research will wind down if the federal budget tabled November 4 wins approval. “[Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada] will wind down some programs outside its core mandate, such as the Agricultural Climate Solution Living Labs,” the budget document states, noting that the program isn’t aligned with the …
BC Tree Fruits relaunch
This week marks the relaunch of BC Tree Fruits, following the sale of the brand and various assets including the Oliver packing line to Penticton-based Wildstone Construction Group. Operated by Algoma Orchards of Ontario, the facility sold to Wildstone this spring for $22.75 million. It now operates as a private company rather than a co-op, …
National dairy commission raises milk prices
Hallowe’en saw the Canadian Dairy Commission treat milk producers to news of a 2.3% price increase on February 1, 2026. The increase is determined by the National Pricing Formula, which is based half on the variation in the indexed cost of production and half on the consumer price index (CPI). Dairy prices per the CPI …
Province holds off on review of farmers institutes
VICTORIA – The province is holding off on a proposed review of the Farmers and Women’s Institutes Act. A review was announced in the legislature earlier this year in response to long-standing concerns over the Salmon River Farmers Institute (SRFI) near Prince George, which has effectively become a closed, family-run society. “[We] are looking to …