BC’s Agricultural Land Commission has stood firm against a bid by the District of Kent to exclude four parcels totalling 43 acres for residential development. Often referred to as the Teacup properties, the parcels were designated a residential reserve in Kent’s official community pan in 2001. But in 2005, the ALC told the district “that …
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Fruit growers seek workers
The prospect of a record cherry crop has Okanagan growers scrambling for workers as a heat wave accelerates ripening. While arrivals of seasonal foreign workers are above last year, BC Fruit Growers Association president Pinder Dhaliwal expects just half the number of domestic backpackers to arrive. These usually account for 4,000 workers in addition to …
Farmers market returns
The Langley Community Farmers Market started up again on June 16 with a solid turn out, following a one-year hiatus. To breathe new life into its return this year, the weekly market has hired a marketing manager to help generate a buzz in the community. It seems to be paying off. More than 250 people …
BCAC shifts to advocacy
Policy development is in, program delivery is out as the BC Agriculture Council prepares to welcome a new executive director in August. Reg Ens announced June 9 that he would be stepping down as executive director July 31, allowing him to step into the newly created position of general manager of the Western Agriculture Labour …
Farms retain tax status
For the second year in a row, BC farmers won’t have to worry about proving their properties are eligible for farm class status. The province announced June 14 that all properties currently classed as farms with the BC Assessment Authority would continue to hold that status on the 2022 tax roll. The move extends a …
Semios growth advances
Vancouver-based pest control company SemiosBio Technologies Inc. has made its first acquisition, continuing its growth as one of the province’s most successful agritech startups. Semios announced June 8 that it had acquired Altrac, a California-based developer of cellular control technology for agricultural equipment, including wind machines, pumps, and valves. Terms of the transaction were not …