HEFFLEY CREEK – Growing corn has proven beneficial in regenerating the soil at Devick’s Ranch in Heffley Creek but not in extended grazing. Paul Devick and his son Alex have been experimenting with corn and multiple cover crops for three years as part of the BC Living Lab program to develop best management practices to …
NEWS
Province lacks reconciliation roadmap: ranchers
The lack of a clear roadmap to reconciliation with the province’s Indigenous peoples jeopardize a number of key issues for agriculture and the province as a whole, say ranchers. “They don’t have a clue where they are going,” says BC Cattlemen’s Association president Werner Stump, who sent a letter to Premier David Eby at the …
Food hub tips to support farmers
“Farmers are busy people,” according to a new guide for food hub operators, which provides tips on how to engage producers and ensure the food hubs that add value to their products are resilient and sustainable. “This is not simply a step-by-step linear planning guide,” says Sarah-Patricia Breen, BC Regional Innovation Chair in Rural Economic …
Delta growers honoured
Delta Farmers Institute (DFI) held its 116th Farmers Ball on November 15 with producers young and old recognized for their contributions to the local farming community. Cory and Holley Gerrard as well as Joel Swenson of Rod Swenson Farms received the Young Farmer Recognition Award for their work keeping the Swenson legacy alive. “Holley and …
Federal budget kills Living Labs
The innovative Living Labs initiative that cultivated localized on-farm research will wind down if the federal budget tabled November 4 wins approval. “[Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada] will wind down some programs outside its core mandate, such as the Agricultural Climate Solution Living Labs,” the budget document states, noting that the program isn’t aligned with the …
BC Tree Fruits relaunch
This week marks the relaunch of BC Tree Fruits, following the sale of the brand and various assets including the Oliver packing line to Penticton-based Wildstone Construction Group. Operated by Algoma Orchards of Ontario, the facility sold to Wildstone this spring for $22.75 million. It now operates as a private company rather than a co-op, …