DELTA – With BC working to reduce its use of fossil fuels, some farmers see renewable natural gas (RNG) as an opportunity to add a new income stream to their operations. Seabreeze Farm owner and dairy farmer Jerry Keulen is among them. He was intrigued by the possibility of reducing his farm’s greenhouse gas emissions …
NEWS
Farmers take issue with water restrictions
GIBSONS – With a growing number of watersheds reaching Level 4 drought restrictions or higher, some farmers say regulators need to make greater allowances for food production. Sunshine Coast Regional District recently implemented Level 4 drought restrictions which prohibit all outdoor water use, including for agriculture. That doesn’t sit well with Raquel Kolof of Hough …
Producers face unannounced welfare checks
NANAIMO – BC SPCA has put commercial livestock producers around the province on notice that it intends to launch unannounced inspections of their operations under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Six sectors have been chosen for the inspections, which will initially take place on Vancouver Island as part of a pilot program. BC …
Federal election call
This past weekend’s federal election call means Canada will go to the polls September 20. Ongoing wildfires and drought in BC as well as public concern over COVID-19 variants have prompted criticism of the election’s timing. By law, a federal election wasn’t necessary until 2023. The call came following a run of funding announcements targeting …
Greenhouse, nursery specialist named
BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries field vegetable specialist Susan Smith is now also responsible for greenhouse, floriculture and nursery crops. Smith’s appointment came in June, following Dave Woodske’s retirement as floriculture and greenhouse specialist in March 2020. “There’s a real need for ministry support,” Smith told greenhouse growers at their annual general meeting …
Communities plan for agriculture
BC communities are taking innovative approaches to agriculture planning with the help of $252,773 from the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC. IAFBC’s Local Government Partnership Program awarded eight local governments $252,773 in July for agricultural planning and implementation. While four of the recipients will use the funds to create or update agricultural plans, others are …