March 2017

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Abbotsford hop growers Ray and Tracey Bredenhof are this year’s BC/Yukon Outstanding Young Farmers! The couple began farming in 2005 with broilers then added 12 acres of hops in 2016; they now have 21 acres of their own and contract with growers for another 21 acres that they process and distribute to brewers locally and internationally. The founding president of the BC Hop Growers Association, Ray is also actively involved with Tracey in community organizations such as fundraising efforts for Variety and BC Children’s Hospital. “Get involved as much as you can,” Ray tells other young growers. “It doesn’t always have to take a ton of time or a ton of resources. Sometimes it leads down a path you weren’t planning on, and that’s okay." Read more in the June edition of Country Life in BC. ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

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Such a fabulous family!

The province is expecting 6,000 to 8,000 fewer seasonal farm workers from abroad this year, and is looking to domestic workers to fill the roles. The BC Agriculture Council says it isn't sure how bad the shortfall is, however, noting that information from the federal government has been inconsistent and foreign worker arrivals seem to be tracking with last year. However, some farms have yet to receive any workers, while in areas such as the upper Fraser Valley, WorkBC has been asking employers to contact them because there are plenty of people available. Yesterday, agriculture minister Lana Popham announced a new online tool that guides job seekers to agri-food job listings on the WorkBC website. The salary range for general farm labourers range from minimum wage, which increases June 1 to $14.60/hour, to $6,000/month. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BC's farmers and ranchers. ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

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Pioneering grape grower Dick Stewart, the founding chair of the old BC Grape Growers' Marketing Board as well as a founding member of the BC Grape Growers Association, has died. Originally a nurseryman, working in the family business, he became interested in viticulture and in 1956 bought the old Alison Ranch property in West Kelowna and planted a vineyard. This was the foundation for the launch by his son Ben of Quails' Gate Estate Winery in 1989. The business has since grown, with Stewart Family Wines expanding beynd BC to Sonoma County in California in 2012. He is survived by his wife Rosemary and sons Ben and Tony and daughters Cynthia Walker and Andrea McFadden. ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago

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A family, a community and an industry are mourning the sudden death of Chad Maarhuis of Rock Creek on May 10. Chad and his wife Erika own Magnum Meats, a provincially inspected class B slaughter plant. The Maarhuis’ also offer cut and wrap services at their independent butcher shop. “Chad was loved by many and will be incredibly missed by anyone who had the pleasure to know him,” says Nova Woodbury, the executive director of BC Meats, where Chad was also a director. A graduate of the meat cutting program at TRU, Chad was building a business with Erika and local employees to serve the Boundary and south Okanagan regions. One of his goals was to provide sausage and smoking services and he had just returned from a trip to purchase equipment to expand that part of his business. He and Erika have three young children. He was 37. [Shari Saysomsack photo/ Magnum Meats Facebook] ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago

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Comment on Facebook A family, a ...

So sorry to hear. Is there anything we can do to help?

Our condolences to this young family..... praying for comfort and strength for such a great loss for the Rock Creek community and extended area. 🙏💞

Ohmygoodness, how sad. They live nearby but I never had the pleasure of meeting him. I had heard that their shop was well liked.

So sad to hear this. I pray you and your family find comfort in the arms of God in this time of great grievance.

So sorry to hear such sad news ! 😥 My heartfelt condolences to the family & friends .

I am so sorry for your loss Erika and family. This is heartbreaking. 😔

So sorry to hear about this!! Thoughts and prayers to such a young family..💔😞

I'm so sorry to hear that..my condolences to the family

So very sad, condolences to his family

Condolences to the Maarhuis family from all of us at Island Cattlemens.

Such a lovely man! My condolences!

Many condolences. Heartbreaking.

Such a huge loss to the industry.

Awful news. My sincere condolences.

So sorry for your loss Erika & family. ❤

So sad condolences to the family friends community

Sorry for your loss!! Thoughts are with your family

R.I.P He will be missed

So heartbreaking 💔

This is so sad!

So sorry

💔

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

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While the federal government’s $256 million aid package for agriculture announced earlier this week gives some support for the livestock industry, other agriculture sectors, including BC fruit growers were left out. “The announcement addresses the immediate needs for the beef and livestock producers and processors, but has not addressed the immediate needs of the fruit, vegetable and grain sectors,” says Pinder Dhaliwal president of the BC Fruit Growers Association. As fruit trees blossom across the province, orchardists are at the stage in the growing cycle where they must make a decision on whether to start to manage their crops (thinning, fertilizing, spraying and summer pruning) or abandon them. This is the third year of low returns in the apple industry and many growers are left with few financial resources to pay for crop inputs. While the BCFGA acknowledges the government support that helped with the late arrival of temporary foreign workers, the sector is still short of labour and is facing increased costs in all areas. “The Canadian government needs to recognize that the reliable supply of food from other countries is at risk,” says Glen Lucas BCFGA General Manager. “Now more than ever there is a need to support a secure safe food supply produce in Canada.” Sign up for free FARM NEWS UPDATES delivered to your inbox every Wednesday morning. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BC's farmers and ranchers. buff.ly/2H3dK8k ... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago

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March 1, 2017

March 2017

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