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Current Issue:

DECEMBER 2019
Vol. 105 Issue 12

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BC growers are overwhelmingly in favour of continuing the BC piece rate system, according to a study the BC Ministry of Labour commissioned in fall 2018 and delivered this past January. Released today, the report found that a change in piece rates will decrease the profitability of all growers, particularly Fraser Valley berry growers, which have seen two years of declining production and margins. (The latest increase in piece rates cost BC producers $7.7 million.) Doing away with piece rates would also hit orchardists hard, with 94% of their workers preferring the piece rate and 87% saying they wouldn’t do the work if paid minimum wage. The report will inform proposals to change the piece rate system to ensure workers receive a fair wage. More info coming in tomorrow's FARM NEWS UPDATE - delivered free to your inbox from BC's agricultural news source: Country Life in BC. Sign up here: buff.ly/2H3dK8k. ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

BC growers are overwhelmingly in favour of continuing the BC piece rate system, according to a study the BC Ministry of Labour commissioned in fall 2018 and delivered this past January. Released today, the report found that a change in piece rates will decrease the profitability of all growers, particularly Fraser Valley berry growers, which have seen two years of declining production and margins. (The latest increase in piece rates cost BC producers $7.7 million.) Doing away with piece rates would also hit orchardists hard, with 94% of their workers preferring the piece rate and 87% saying they wouldn’t do the work if paid minimum wage. The report will inform proposals to change the piece rate system to ensure workers receive a fair wage. More info coming in tomorrows FARM NEWS UPDATE - delivered free to your inbox from BCs agricultural news source: Country Life in BC. Sign up here: buff.ly/2H3dK8k.
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BC's farmers markets sell what local farmers and craftspeople grow, bake and make, and the opportunity to buy local continues during the winter. BC agriculture minister Lana Popham toured the Riley Park winter market in Vancouver on Saturday to mark BC Buy Local week. The market is one of two winter markets that ring up sales of nearly $3 million for BC farmers. A study by local advocacy group LOCO BC says 63% of those dollars stay in the local economy, versus 14% of every dollar spent at vendors that aren’t locally owned. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BC's farmers and ranchers. ... See MoreSee Less

4 days ago

BCs farmers markets sell what local farmers and craftspeople grow, bake and make, and the opportunity to buy local continues during the winter. BC agriculture minister Lana Popham toured the Riley Park winter market in Vancouver on Saturday to mark BC Buy Local week. The market is one of two winter markets that ring up sales of nearly $3 million for BC farmers. A study by local advocacy group LOCO BC says 63% of those dollars stay in the local economy, versus 14% of every dollar spent at vendors that aren’t locally owned. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BCs farmers and ranchers.
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Vancouver Food Pedalers Cooperative Fame comes in funny ways!

BC shoppers can once again expect above-average food price increases in 2020, according to the Agri-food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. Nationally, food prices are set to rise 2% to 4%, on top of a 3.7% increase this year. But steady wage growth and a good economy mean BC grocery and restaurant prices will outpace the national average. According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, a family of four spent $1,017 a month on groceries in 2017; a conservative estimate based on the Dalhousie University estimates means that same family is spending closer to $1,160 a month today — just a fraction of which returns to the farmer. Country Life is BC's agricultural news source. ... See MoreSee Less

7 days ago

BC shoppers can once again expect above-average food price increases in 2020, according to the Agri-food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. Nationally, food prices are set to rise 2% to 4%, on top of a 3.7% increase this year. But steady wage growth and a good economy mean BC grocery and restaurant prices will outpace the national average. According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, a family of four spent $1,017 a month on groceries in 2017; a conservative estimate based on the Dalhousie University estimates means that same family is spending closer to $1,160 a month today — just a fraction of which returns to the farmer. Country Life is BCs agricultural news source.
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So are producers going to see more money as well?

Why ?

This was reported at exactly, to the day, this time last year. Exactly the same “percentage” of hike as well,,,,, i smell a rat

"steady wage growth"???? What is your definition of "wage"?

That's what you people get if they elect socialists.

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BC farmers can look forward to better access to domestic and foreign markets, according to the throne speech that opened Parliament following October’s federal election. “[We] will remove additional barriers to domestic and international trade for businesses and farmers, continue with ambitious investments in infrastructure, and reduce red tape so that it is easier to create and run a start-up or small business,” said the speech. Dairy farmers can also expect to receive the first piece of compensation this month for market access granted under international trade agreements. A review of the rules governing online commerce is also in the works. Watch for more details in the new year in Country Life in BC, the agricultural news source for British Columbia since 1915. Subscribe: buff.ly/2JhvVYH ... See MoreSee Less

7 days ago

BC farmers can look forward to better access to domestic and foreign markets, according to the throne speech that opened Parliament following October’s federal election. “[We] will remove additional barriers to domestic and international trade for businesses and farmers, continue with ambitious investments in infrastructure, and reduce red tape so that it is easier to create and run a start-up or small business,” said the speech. Dairy farmers can also expect to receive the first piece of compensation this month for market access granted under international trade agreements. A review of the rules governing online commerce is also in the works. Watch for more details in the new year in Country Life in BC, the agricultural news source for British Columbia since 1915. Subscribe: https://buff.ly/2JhvVYH
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1 week ago

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COABC seeks new ED

COABC executive director Jen Gamble

November 20, 2019 byPeter Mitham

Jen Gamble is leaving her role as executive director of the Certified Organic Associations of BC at the end of February after nine years in the role.

“Under her leadership we have become more professional in how we grow, how we certify, how we accredit, and how we trade our organic commodities,” says COABC co-chair Heather Stretch. “She has brought us into the national and international conversations while protecting the grassroots principles that make organics so important to us all.”

Gamble is making the change for personal reasons, primarily to continue her studies.

COABC is undertaking a search for a full-time replacement, either an individual or a team, to be “responsible for overseeing organizational leadership, operational functions, and strategic plan implementation.” The position will continue to be based at the COABC offices in Vernon.

The deadline for applications is December 2, with an approximate start date of January 6. The timeline will allow for the integration and smooth transition between executive directors.

The transition comes as Stretch steps into the chair’s role full-time, as Carmen Wakeling’s term comes to an end.

The departure of key figures from the organization’s leadership comes as COABC completes a core review and moves forward with key learnings from that process.

“The core review provides valuable guidance on how to focus our energies during this time of transition both at the [executive director] level and the chair level,” says Stretch.

The review follows from the organization’s strategic plan, unveiled two years ago, which included the mission statement, “To cultivate a resilient organic movement in British Columbia.”

COABC is the umbrella organization for the province’s 10 organic certifying bodies. It will host its annual conference in Richmond at the end of February.

 

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