Celebrating organics while preparing for mainstream acceptance was a key theme of the annual conference of the Certified Organic Associations of BC in Vernon, February 22-24. Many speakers remarked on the fact that the sector had gone mainstream, while many of the producers responsible were conspicuous by their absence from the meeting. “People who have …
NEWS
Two new wine regions recommended
Two new regions – known as geographic indications (GIs) – could soon be approved for use on wine labels. Naramata Bench and Skaha Bench, both located within the Okanagan Valley have been forwarded to Victoria for final approval by the BC Wine Authority. Wineries and growers in the two areas approved the designations late last …
Ten-year plan
ABBOTSFORD – It took a decade to develop the new Agricultural Waste Control Regulation and it will take another decade to fully implement it. The BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (BCMoE) released the new Code of Practice for Agricultural Environmental Management (AEMCoP) January 23, with the first provisions to take effect, February …
Mentorship gives Kelowna grower a headstart
KELOWNA – Lightfoot Farm owner Simon Answerth is the sole graduate of a three-year farm incubator program spearheaded by the Central Okanagan Community Farm Society and run in conjunction with Trinity Baptist Church in Kelowna. Two years into the incubator program, he also completed a one-year business mentorship program organized by the Young Agrarians. Together, …
Going green boosts ranch’s credibility
LILLOOET – Spray Creek Ranch owners Tristan and Aubyn Banwell say becoming one of five BC farms certified by A Greener World (AGW), a five-year-old certification body based in Terrebonne, Oregon, has been worth the extra effort. They opted for Certified Animal Welfare Approved and Certified Grassfed from AGW because it best aligns with their …
Young farmers crack open new vending concept
AGASSIZ – Willem and Kristin Poortvliet were destined to become farmers, but farmers selling eggs from a vending machine wasn’t something anyone could have predicted. The couple were small-lot egg farmers for nearly three years, selling eggs from a roadside shack on their Agassiz property. When the BC Egg Marketing Board awarded them quota as …