Comprehensive financial compensation for BC mink farmers being pushed out of business and growers displaced by the ongoing extreme weather across southwestern BC has yet to be announced, but in both cases the province has been quick to highlight mental health support for growers. The province’s agriculture ministry even went so far as to say …
NEWS
Water quality grants available
A third round of grants to protect surface water quality in the Shuswap watershed is now available from the Shuswap Watershed Council. “One of the SWC’s primary objectives is to protect and maintain the water quality in Shuswap and Mara Lakes,” explains SWC program manager Erin Vieira. “In particular, we’re focused on reducing nutrient inputs …
Producers urged to make emergency plans
VICTORIA – When flooding hit Sumas Prairie last month, years of efforts by the BC Dairy Association to prepare producers for disaster paid off. Working with the provincial government, the association developed an emergency planning workbook for members. A template pulls together key information producers should have at hand in the event of an emergency, …
Province sets agenda for tree fruit future
KELOWNA – The province released 19 recommendations on November 12 outlining a plan to stabilize BC’s troubled tree fruit sector, the culmination of a nine-month process launched in February at the annual convention of the BC Fruit Growers Association. “BCFGA is supportive and observe that the government recommendations have taken account of difficult times in …
Frustration over “timber-centric” range bill
VERNON – Frustration filled Werner Stump’s voice as he addressed the North Okanagan Livestock Association on November 15 regarding the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA), which the province wants to amend. “You have heard me talk about this for quite a while and unfortunately I don’t have good news,” he says. “There has been …
Christmas tree growers face a grim future
CHILLIWACK – BC residents should be able to find their annual Christmas tree this year, but the annual pilgrimage to the tree lot stands to become more challenging. Art Loewen, founder of Pine Meadows Tree Farms in Chilliwack, is a past president of the Canadian Christmas Trees Association and has been growing trees since 1970. …