BC Veg seeks commissioners

Two new independent commissioners are being sought by the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission in order to boost decision-making capacity while limiting the perception of bias in commission decisions.

A notice from the commission encourages candidates with previous experience as directors and the demonstrated skills needed to contribute to decision-making and oversight to apply. Candidates should keep in mind six key competencies for the role: an understanding of the agricultural sector; demonstrated leadership in agriculture and/or agri-food related activities; a knowledge of regulated marketing; familiarity with governance and decision-making; financial literacy; and a knowledge of or expertise in supply chains.

The positions have been created in response to recommendations of a supervisory review that wrapped up earlier this year. On July 12, 2021, the British Columbia Vegetable Scheme was amended to allow for the appointment of two commissioners who are not commercial producers chosen through a merit-based selection process approved by the BC Farm Industry Review Board.

Commission general manager Andre Solymosi says the new independent directors, who will serve alongside four to six commissioners chosen from among producers, will ensure a decision-making process free from the apprehension of bias but informed by and sensitive to the interests of industry and the public.

The current selection process is temporary, in order to facilitate the appointment of the independent directors. The initial term of the appointments will therefore be for one to three years, with the completion date determined on the approval of a permanent selection process and review of the commission’s election policy.

Candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and a minimum of two references, as well as an explanation of why they’re interested in the position and their potential contribution to the commission’s work.

The deadline for submissions is December 1, 2021 at 5 pm.

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7 hours ago

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12 hours ago

Forty-six regions in BC are eligible to participate in the federal livestock tax deferral program, announced yesterday, more than anywhere else in the country. The program allows producers who downsize their breeding herds by 15% to defer reporting the proceeds until the following year, when they buy replacement stock. But after multiple years of drought, the BC beef herd is cruising 25-year lows and some producers are calling for more support to maintain and rebuild their herds. For more, see: [www.countrylifeinbc.com/bc-leads-livestock-tax-deferrals/]

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4 days ago

After weeks and weeks of no moisture, there's rain in Kelowna today. While much more moisture is needed over the coming weeks and months to reduce drought conditions and the air smells of wet campfire, the slow, steady rain is very welcome for fruit grower#BCAg#BCAg ... See MoreSee Less

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5 days ago

The first Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust Grassland Set-aside Variety Trial Field Day was held at Delta's family-owned Tecarte Farms, August 27. Co-owner Bill Bates and DFWT executive director Christine Schmalz welcomed more than 35 people to view seven acres planted to different grassland blends specifically chosen to rejuvenate the soil and support the farm's blueberries. For the Bates family, it was time to try something different following the decline of the field's blueberry bushes over the past several years. "We tried everything, and nothing worked," says Bates. The blueberries were removed in May and the grassland crops planted about a week later.

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Bessette Creek is the latest watershed hit with a temporary fish protection order this year as the province moves to protect returning Chinook salmon. A total of 131 surface and groundwater users must cease drawing water immediately, with forage producers, greenhouses and nurseries impacted. "Declining flows in Bessette Creek reached record lows in early July 2026 and have remained below the minimum level required to support fish population survival," says the province. Bessette producers have embraced voluntary cutbacks, scheduled irrigation and other measures to reduce water use, and are also waiting on funding to boost water storage infrastructure. They're the second group of producers hit with a provincial order this year. Salmon River irrigators were told to top watering earlier this month following a reprieve to address wildfire risk. Growers in both the Salmon River and Bessette watersheds are urging the province to support new water storage infrastructure in advance of next year.

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There is a problem... having lived in the salmon river ( silver creek ) area, I remember a fish biologist telling family members that salmon only "survive" in high iron content creeks, they do not "thrive".... salmon river ( silver creek ) is a very high iron content, would stain clothes brown when i would use bleach... So don't expect high salmon numbers off of that creek , even in ideal situations...

I just wish they would take an interest in CHASE CREEK....went bone dry...100% of trout abd other species died...smell was terrible from rotting fish. Understand this has happened many times in the past. Chase Irrigation District totally responsible for this disaster. Now fishermen are complaining about major drop in water levels at Pillar Lake.

They could not mismanage things worse than they have. It's impossible for them to. The fact that farmers that we need for our animals are now suffering the consequences our governments have not protected us from, is absolutely fucking wild.