ABBOTSFORD – When it comes to mental wellness, the fierce independence and stoicism too common in farmers can be problematic. “I heard from a poultry producer yesterday,” says Wendy Bennett, executive director of AgSafe BC. “She said, ‘My husband needs the support, but he won’t ask for it. So, when I call, and it’s peer …
Farmgate abattoirs shut out of insurance
FORT ST. JOHN – Dozens of new producers granted on-farm meat processing licences since the province overhauled its meat inspection regime in fall 2021 now face hurdles securing insurance coverage. “When we looked into getting coverage for a Farmgate Plus licence for poultry, I was given a hard ‘no,’” says Pam Tjepkema of Peace Vale …
TJ Schur to lead IAF
A new CEO has been hired to lead the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC. TJ Schur will be the organization’s new CEO starting March 1, IAFBC announced February 3. She succeeds Michelle Koski, who left the organization at the end of January to become an assistant deputy minister in the BC Ministry of Agriculture and …
Strategic partnership struck
The closure of BC Tree Fruit Co-operative’s packing lines in Kelowna and Winfield has opened the doors to a new partnership. While the co-op intends to consolidate packing operations for all fruit in Oliver, the closure of its Kelowna operations has opened the door to a partnership with Sandhu Fruit Farm in Summerland. Sandhu recently …
Zero farm bankruptcies
Despite the financial pressures facing farmers last year, federal records show that BC’s farm businesses remained solvent even as input costs and interest rates rose. A sector-by-sector breakdown of the 3,402 business insolvencies reported by the federal Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy last year indicated that agriculture in BC remained in good health. While …
Community spirit honoured at gala
Five leaders in BC’s agricultural community were honoured at the BC Agriculture Council’s annual gala on January 25. Dairy farmers Jimi Meyer and Hallie Jacobs were honoured with the Scotiabank Champion of Agriculture award for their support of Fraser Valley dairy farmers following the flooding in November 2021. “Our initial goal was just to bring …