Ministry hires deputy ministers

Two new assistant deputy ministers are joining the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Michelle Koski is joining the province after five years as CEO of the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC.

“I am happy to share that I have accepted a position as assistant deputy minister with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food,” she said in a LinkedIn post this week. “I am very much looking forward to working with the talented and dedicated staff at the ministry and returning to public service. I am also looking forward to working with BC’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-tech sectors in my new role.”

In addition to her work with IAF, Koski brings extensive experience with the federal government in different capacities, most recently as deputy and regional director with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. She begins her new role January 27.

Eric Christiansen, formerly a policy advisor in the premier’s office, is also joining the ministry as an assistant deputy minister.

Koski joins the provincial ministry following the abrupt departure last fall of Arif Lalani, which the BC government directory indicates left the ministry without any ADMs. The province posted the opportunity in November with an application deadline of December 7.

BC Fruit Growers Association general manager Glen Lucas says Koski’s experience will be an asset to the ministry.

“There’s been a few vacancies and gaps over the past couple of years and it’s fantastic to see some fresh new faces,” he says. “Michelle Koski has great experience and we know her from many programs that we’ve worked together with [her] on.”

She also leaves a strong foundation for IAFBC as it grows its role as a program administrator.

“Our loss is their gain. She was an amazing CEO,” says IAFBC chair Jack DeWit. “She was hard working and has really good organizational skills and really led the organization to the higher level from where we were at before. I think Michelle will be a real asset for the whole ag branch in Victoria.”

Lucas says the new faces at the ministry offers a fresh start at the beginning of a new year.

“Everyone is new there. From the minister, deputy minister, assistant deputy ministers – so the top leadership team is all new in the last year, and we’re very excited to be working with them and seeing the new directions that are going to emerge,” he says.

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4 days ago

There was a lot of reminiscing and appreciation of how far BC's turkey industry has come at a reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the BC Turkey Association and the 60th anniversary of the BC Turkey Marketing Board yesterday in Abbotsford. With a slideshow of events and people over the years, guests laughed and had a lot to be thankful for. "It's an opportunity to celebrate the industry at a time of year that's known for turkey. It's a culmination of all the year's work," says Natalie Veles, executive director with BC Turkey Marketing Board.

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Love it - Deb Etsell I see you 🤩

5 days ago

BC was the sole province to see farmland values decline in the first half of this year, dropping 1.9% according to a Farm Credit Canada report released Octover 7. This represented an acceleration in value declines from last year, and contributed to a 3.9% decline in the 12 montsh ended June 30. The drop follows on a 1.7% decline last year, which Farm Credit Canada attributed to tougher times in the fruit sector. However, the mid-year report points to a broader slowdown in value growth diven by higher production costs, tighter margins and uncertainty around trade, tariffs and international markets.

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Ndp

3 weeks ago

Channels of communication remain open between the provincial and federal governments with respect to financial relief for extraordinary costs stemming from this summer's ongoing drought and wildfires, but the BC Cattlemen's Association is urging producers to register for AgriStability to position themselves for any AgriRecovery package. "Hardworking families in the ranching and agriculture sectors, who provide food for the province, need the AgriRecovery program in place as soon as possible," says BC Cattlemen's president Alex Kuchar. But the provincial election creates an unfortunate delay. "It's not fair, in any form of the word, to see all those people who have lost so much in the fires to have to wait in limbo," says BC Cattlemen's general manager Kevin Boon.

Photo | Barb Edmonson / Firefly Ranch, Clinton

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Feedback on changes to rules governing food processing in the Agricultural Land Reserve has drawn about 250 submissions. But the proposal now hangs in the balance with Premier David Eby's decision to call a snap election, which also delays discussions of assistance for farmers hit hard by this year's wildfires and historic #BCAght.

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What would you expect from the NDP, when they still had a 2 year mandate?

Ridiculous timing. We have people needing answers and have to plan for winter supplies. Fires are long past, months have gone by knowing there was going to be the need for support. Drought was written on the wall even before summer began with no snow pack. This is not new to government and they are calling for another year just as bad for 2027. I throw my hands up and wonder what else needs to be more challenging than what we've experienced over the last 6 years in BC?

250 submissions.... I'm pretty sure there are more than 250 farmers in BC

With a provincial election called for October 24, BC agriculture is set to enter a new era. Veteran agriculture minister Lana Popham is not seeking re-election in Saanich South after 17 years as an MLA. BC's longest-serving agriculture minister, she fought for a stronger Agricultural Land Reserve and celebrated the diversity of BC's agriculture sector, but also took flak for shutting down mink farming and not securing more funding for the Agricultural Land Commission. She was also on the front lines of responses to multiple disasters, including the 2021 floods on Sumas Prairie. In a statement announcing her departure from political life, she said, "I look forward to contributing in other ways and ensuring that food security, protection of the Agricultural Land Reserve, and the people who feed us remain in the spotlight for years to come."

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Lana is/was an amazing Minister of Ag. I may not support her party but I think the world of her for her knowledge of, and connection to, our industry! Amazing!

You will be missed and congratulations on new horizons!

What a loss it will be not to have you as a hardworking cabinet member! Thank you for your dedication to agriculture!

I remember that day Lana! Wishing you all the best!

I had really hoped to see Lana Popham as our Premiere at some point but I am also happy for her, moving onto her next chapter. 😊

Thank you Lana for all the years of service, I can't even imagine how challenging your work has been.

That is an amazing run, thank you for your service!💐

Lana is an awesome supporter of agriculture in BC, she was amazing to work with as a minister and always there to listen and try to find solutions. 🌽🐓🚜🌾🐮🍎

Thank you, Ms. Popham, for your service. With you in your portfolio many of us felt that we had truly 'responsible government.'

This is great loss to agriculture in BC .No matter your politics you have to appreciate the energy and empathy she brought to the industry.She will be difficult to replace.

You will be missed but wishing you all the best - thank you.

Lana is the Best Minister of Agriculture and we are going to miss her! Hardworking for the people and leads with heart. I wish more politicians were like her. Thank you Minister Popham for your service! 🐝💕

Great picture!

I love this picture of you Lana.

What a super pic! We are going to miss you Lana.

Thank you so much for your public service. Wishing you well in this next phase of your work.

Vote conservative! Save bc!

Too bad Eby ignored her and is pushing for the 95% out of province, and out of country, food processing facilities on the ALR. Probably why she stepped down.

Thank god. Time for new blood that gives a shit and not just show up for photo ops…

End Eby! Save BC!

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