The prolonged dry conditions and early start to the wildfire season in northern BC have Peace Region producers and organizations taking proactive steps to protect land and infrastructure. Over the last few months, the Peace Region Forage Association has hosted six wildland fire training sessions. The events attracted 144 participants who learned about wildfire behaviour …
Farm compensation benchmarks set
Results of a new Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council wage study highlight opportunities to improve on-farm compensation practices. The study, released May 22, drew on 609 employees across 140 organizations. It indicates that the highest-paying commodity group across all job categories was grain & oilseed while dairy and apiculture ranked among the lowest. “The weighted …
Senate report on TFWs
Ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of temporary foreign farm workers have prompted a federal committee to recommend the creation of a national migrant workers commission. A report the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology released May 21 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program recommends the creation …
Celebrated leader a force in BC wine sector
OLIVER – Since 2013, the Wine Growers BC Leadership Excellence Award has recognized those whose work in the fields of media, research, policy, regulation, education or advocacy have advanced the sector. This year, as the BC wine industry faces an existential threat from successive years of weather disasters, Severine Pinte, winemaker, viticulturist and managing partner …
Volunteers remain the backbone of successful fairs
PENTICTON – Some 40 delegates from across the province attended the BC Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions (BC Fairs) Learning Exchange in Penticton, April 14-16. “We changed the title from ‘conference’ to ‘learning exchange’ a couple of years ago because that is really the focus of our event,” says BC Fairs executive director Janine …
Premier boosts fill enforcement
Dumping on Lower Mainland farm properties has prompted action by the premier. Hatzic Valley residents who gathered for a community meeting at McConnell Creek hall on May 13 were told Premier David Eby has approved the deployment of additional Agricultural Land Commission staff to address dumping in the area and throughout the Fraser Valley. “The …