Province makes appointments

A new year means a new lease on life for many government appointees, and new responsibilities for others.

The turn of the year saw Joe Deuling appointed December 31 to the Agricultural Land Commission. The following day, Robert Haywood-Farmer had his appointment renewed. Both men serve on the commission’s Interior panel.

However, the system of regional panels is set to end with the passage last year of Bill 15. This promises changes to the commission’s make-up. Coincidentally, terms for 11 of the commission’s 15 members expire in October.

Commission chair Jennifer Dyson and commissioner Linda Michaluk are the only two appointees besides Deuling and Haywood-Farmer whose terms extend beyond October.

Meanwhile, communications consultant and erstwhile Country Life in BC contributor Tamara Leigh was reappointed to the BC Farm Industry Review Board through July 31, 2022. A month earlier, Harveen Thauli and David Zirnhelt were appointed to FIRB for a term ending July 31, 2021.

December also saw Debbie Etsell reappointed chair of the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission until December 31, 2021. The appointment will ensure a measure of continuity as the commission grapples with issues related to the future of regulated vegetable marketing in the province, including a new strategic plan.

More recently, Kevin Klippenstein was reappointed chair of the BC Turkey Marketing Board. The one-year appointment expires January 14, 2021.

Gordon Cooper has been growing grain on 2.5 acres in Grand Forks and took a keen interest in FarmFolk/CityFolk’s mobile seed cleaner as it toured through the Kootenays last month. The tour was hosted by Kootenay Boundary Farm Advisors and FFCF program director David Catzel. “There’s more interest than I expected in the grain that I’m growing,” Cooper told Country Life in BC’s Ronda Payne. “I think having something like that available would be pretty useful.” Read more about the growth of local seed production on our website this month: buff.ly/2U8jSni ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago

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The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Lest we forget. ... See MoreSee Less

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Producers and consumers have until December 3 to tell the Canadian Food Inspection Agency how they want plant-based meat alternatives identified in the marketplace. Both new products such as plant-based meat patties as well as soy-based burgers will be affected by the new regulations, which will establish a common name for the products. A press release regarding the consultation, launched November 3, notes, “Consumer perceptions of these foods will advise industry on how they can better position their products in a manner that is truthful and not misleading.” Canadian retail sales of meat alternatives approached $225 million last year, and the federal government has contributed $150 million towards creation of a plant protein innovation supercluster on the Prairies. The survey is available here: buff.ly/32sar6u ... See MoreSee Less

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While consumer concern regarding COVID-19 continues to increase, wineries and grape growers in the Okanagan can take heart. A survey for Wine Growers Canada indicates that the Okanagan is the wine region in Canada regular wine drinkers most definitely want to visit in 2021. The survey found that 12% of respondents would definitely visit the region, versus 11% visiting Niagara. Half of respondents are considering the region, second to Niagara at 59%. However the appeal is primarily local, with interested visitors primarily located in BC and Alberta, and younger, with 37% under the age of 30. However, the region’s appeal among emerging aficionados bodes well for future growth as activity returns to normal. ... See MoreSee Less

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I couldn’t agree more.. some amazing wines are to be had here... just for now, please order them online and stay home.. thank you

While the final counts will take days, the latest results point to a Democratic victory in the US election. While uncertainties remain, the end result won’t change several key issues for BC growers. On the one hand, producers across the board will continue to face the loss of market share as a result of CUSMA, which was renegotiated under the previous administration. Ongoing investigations into global imports of raspberries and blueberries are ongoing, with additional investigations of strawberries and bell peppers possible in the coming days. Renegotiation of the Columbia River Treaty, which BC producers say have harmed them, is also moving forward. While a new US administration may have different priorities, BC growers will continue to be on the defensive against past actions. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BC's farmers and ranchers. ... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago