KELOWNA – At 28, Avi Gill recognizes the need to do things differently to keep his family’s 26-year tradition of growing Okanagan apples and cherries profitable. While production improvements are on-going and have helped increase the crops’ value, Gill has turned his attention to adding value to apples, which continue to face price challenges. Born …
Replant report targets industry over orchards
KELOWNA – The future of BC’s tree fruit replant program is no clearer following an audit of the most recent iteration than it was when the province failed to renew the program 18 months ago. The only thing that seems clear is that orchard renewal is likely to be secondary to industry renewal. “We believe …
Province rebrands hort course
The annual horticultural growers’ short course will be organized by the province in 2023, according to the Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association, which has hosted the 65-year-old educational program since its inception in 1958. Rebranded as the Regenerative Agriculture and Growers’ Short Course, the event will be presented by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and …
Ice wine intentions rise
An inflow of Arctic air pushed temperatures in Kelowna towards levels needed for ice wine this week, just as the deadline for producers to register their intention to make the sweet beverage approached. Temperatures approached -7° Celsius as midnight approached on November 7, a degree away from the -8° C that frozen grapes must reach …
Farming Karma
Kelowna-based Farming Karma Fruit Co. took home Silver Product of the Year for its pear soda at BC Food & Beverage’s annual awards in Vancouver on November 3. The farm-based value-added company, which Country Life in BC profiled in May 2020, is operated by the second generation of the Karma Gill family who have over …
Senate flood report released
This fall’s rains started late and have yet to put a significant dent in the ongoing drought affecting much of the province this year. Eight of the province’s 34 basins remain ranked Level 5, the most severe drought level, with a further six ranked Level 4. By this time last year, the province had received …