Provincial efforts to stabilize the tree fruit sector have been up-ended by BC Tree Fruits Co-operative’s decision to wind up operations. The co-op announced the decision “with profound sadness” on July 26, a day after a board meeting that identified low crop volumes and challenging market conditions as insurmountable challenges. It ceased accepting fruit immediately. …
CROPS
BC-Alberta sign wine MOU
While there’s plenty of work yet to be done, a memorandum of understanding BC and Alberta signed this week will allow BC wineries to ship direct to consumers in Alberta after years of running battles over the issue. The latest occurred this past winter, when Alberta blocked shipments from BC wineries – salt in the …
Gill shifts to greenhouses
BC Blueberry Council executive director Anju Gill has accepted a staff position at the BC Greenhouse Growers Association (BCGGA). While the role has yet to be fully defined, Gill will be making the move in August as the greenhouse association strengthens its staff resources in the face of an ambitious work plan that includes the …
Cherries replant funding opens
Cherry producers will be able to apply for funds to support orchard renewal beginning July 9. The funding is the third round of funding for the sector under the initial Perennial Crop Renewal Program announced in spring 2022, which was backed by $15 million of provincial monies for tree fruits, berries and hazelnuts. Previous rounds …
Mushroom workers unionize
The mushroom sector represents the largest employer of farm workers sourced through the federal Temporary Foreign Workers Program, and now 150 of those workers at Highline Mushrooms in Abbotsford have unionized. The vote this week saw the workers join United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1518, in what the union says is a first for …
BCFGA holds pre-election rally
Gray skies reflected the mood May 28 but the rain held off as some 250 fruit growers gathered in Osoyoos to express their concerns and appeal for government support. The “I support BC Agriculture” rally, organized by the BC Fruit Growers Association in conjunction with the BC Grapegrowers Association, coincided with a government caucus meeting …