A day of productive discussions in Victoria culminated in a reception where representatives of the BC Agriculture Council celebrated their successes and furthered relations with MLAs and stakeholders. Dozens of meetings with elected representatives from all parties as well as cabinet members, their staff and – for the first time ever, the premier – made …
Ranches, province fail rangelands
Compliance, enforcement and management issues have come to light in South Okanagan protected areas that allow tenured grazing. “This is a protected area that has very sensitive and important ecosystems to the public,” BC Forest Practices Board chair Keith Atkinson says. Public complaints in January and July 2021 triggered an investigation into grazing practices and …
Food costs public trust
Rising food costs and reduced affordability continues to top this year’s list of public confidence in the country’s food systems, according to the annual report of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity. The centre’s annual survey, which included 300 respondents from BC, identified food costs as the top public concern for the fifth year running. …
Building a business around community
VANDERHOOF – A cut-and-wrap business that started as a side hustle to process animals on their farm has morphed into a licensed meat processing facility for Matthew and Brittany Giesbrecht and a critical service for local farmers and hunters. “It’s a godsend,” says Korey Martens of Broken Horn Farm east of Vanderhoof. “Before these guys …
Short course rebranded, again
The long-running horticultural growers’ short course has undergone a fresh rebranding as it looks ahead to 2024. Scheduled to run January 25-27, alongside the Pacific Agriculture Show at Tradex in Abbotsford, the Lower Mainland Horticultural Show will be one of three farm shows delivered by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food in partnership with …
Rainfall returns as drought holds
The first atmospheric river of the season hit the South Coast this week, with the BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness advising people to get ready. “People can expect seasonal stormy conditions and are encouraged to take steps to prepare for the increased rainfall and the possibility of flooding,” an October 16 statement …