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Current Issue:

MAY 2025
Vol. 111 Issue 4

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1 week ago

From orchard manager to government specialist and now executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association, Adrian Arts brings a rare blend of hands-on farming experience and organizational leadership to an industry poised for renewal. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for BC fruit growers, with Arts expressing enthusiasm about continuing the momentum built by his predecessor and working alongside a board that signals a generational shift in agricultural advocacy.

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Arts leads BCFGA forward

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A combination of organizational management and practical farming experience has primed the new executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association to lead the industry forward.
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2 weeks ago

A public consultation is now underway on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board. Key issues for dairy producers include transportation costs, rules governing shipments and limitations on supporting processing initiatives. Stakeholders have until May 31 to comment.

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Milk board undertakes review

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A public consultation on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board is underway as part of a triennial review required by the British Columbia Milk Marketing Board Regulation.
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2 weeks ago

BC wool shipments drop sharply in 2023, according to StatsCan data released in mid-April. Local producers shipped just 5,200kg at 37¢/kg, down from 18,600kg at $1.08/kg in 2022. While many farmers now use wool on-farm or dispose of it due to low market value, innovative producers like Emily McIvor point to untapped opportunities. Read more in our Farm News Update from Country Life in BC.

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BC wool value, volume drop

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BC sheep producers shipped less wool for less in 2023, reversing strong growth a year earlier. BC producers shipped 5,200 kilograms of raw wool in 2023, according to Statistics Canada data released on...
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2 weeks ago

Eric Feehely and Miho Shinbo are growing 30+ crops on 2.5 acres in Vernon. Writer Myrna Stark Leader takes a look at how Silverstar Veggies is balancing CSA programs, farmers markets and restaurant sales while planning smart expansions in challenging economic times in Market farm works smarter, not harder.

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Market farm works smarter, not harder

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VERNON – Silverstar Veggies, a five-year-old mixed vegetable and herb farm in Vernon, thrives on passion and innovative ideas. A former watersport and adventure sport instructor…
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4 weeks ago

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Outstanding service acknowledged

Photo: Greenhouse Canada

December 15, 2021 byPeter Mitham

Dave Woodske’s service to the greenhouse and nursery sector was honoured December 2 at the annual awards of the BC Landscape and Nursery Association.

Woodske retired as the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries’ floriculture and greenhouse specialist in March 2020, shortly after COVID-19 hit. The restrictions on gatherings last year led to cancellation of many industry events.

The association held its annual awards ceremony online last year, but the loosening of restrictions this year allowed it to express their appreciation in person to Woodske.

Woodske spent three decades with the ministry. He became the province’s nursery specialist in 1998. His role was combined with others through several iterations until he was responsible for the floriculture and greenhouse vegetable sectors, too. His career also extended to the cannabis sector, and he was a participant in the first two Cannatech West events held in parallel with the Pacific Agriculture Show.

Personable and knowledgeable, Woodske was a trusted resource for growers. Committed to grower education, he was a regular contributor to the development of programming for the Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association’s annual short course.

One of his first tasks as industry specialist was helping the nursery sector navigate Sudden Oak Death. Working with others, he led development of best management practices for dealing with the new pathogen. A collaborative approach led to the industry being able to protect itself and mitigate the risk posed by the disease.

Woodske also worked with greenhouse vegetable growers. His contributions to the sector won him the BC Greenhouse Growers’ Association’s Meritorious Service Award in 2016.

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