While many orchardists in BC find it tough to source clean plant material to renew and expand their orchards, nurseries in Canada export a significant number of fruit and nut trees to orchardists in the US. To ensure stock remains clean, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has spent the past few weeks soliciting feedback regarding …
CROPS
There is a future for BC’s apple industry
NARAMATA — The new president of the BC Fruit Growers Association is a life-long farmer who believes he can influence a change in the province’s tree fruit industry. “I’ve been involved in farming all my life,” says Peter Simonsen, an organic grower who was elected to head the 133-year-old association at its annual convention at …
Vertical farms face regulation
The rise of vertical farms has attracted the notice of the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission. Also known as contained growing systems, vertical farms have become a popular way to produce leafy greens on small lots and marginal land. But leafy greens – specifically, greenhouse-grown lettuces – are regulated by BC Veg as part of its …
Pilot program bridges the extension gap for Gulf Island farmers
MAYNE ISLAND – Hedgerow Farm and Deacon Vale Farm on Mayne Island opened their gates on February 26 to welcome a group of 20 experienced, new and prospective farmers from the outer Gulf Islands for the final field day of a six-week introductory course on soil health hosted by the Gulf Islands Food Co-op in …
Apple growers consider marketing commission
Growers will meet in Kelowna on April 12 for another round of discussion to consider the apple marketing commission proposed as a successor organization to the New Tree Fruit Varieties Development Council, which will wind up operations at the end of March 2023. While most of the feedback received from growers to date has been …
Raspberry replant funding boost
The province has committed an additional $300,000 to extend the raspberry replant program for a third year. “The new investment in this program will help more BC growers replant their fields with varieties that will support their businesses,” BC Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says. Originally launched in late 2020, the initiative has received close to …