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Current Issue:

SEPTEMBER 2026
Vol. 112 Issue 9

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10 hours 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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Channels of communication remain open between the provincial and federal governments with respect to financial relief for extraordinary costs stemming from this summers ongoing drought and wildfires, but the BC Cattlemens 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 Cattlemens president Alex Kuchar. But the provincial election creates an unfortunate delay. Its 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 Cattlemens general manager Kevin Boon. 

Photo | Barb Edmonson / Firefly Ranch, Clinton

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1 day ago

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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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 Ebys decision to call a snap election, which also delays discussions of assistance for farmers hit hard by this years wildfires and historic drought.

#BCAg
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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

2 days ago

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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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. BCs longest-serving agriculture minister, she fought for a stronger Agricultural Land Reserve and celebrated the diversity of BCs 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.

#BCAg
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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 but wishing you all the best - thank you.

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

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

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. 😊

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. 🌽🐓🚜🌾🐮🍎

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

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

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.

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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1 week ago

With the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain line turbocharging development of the Fraser Hwy corridor and surrounding agricultural lands, the BC NDP today announced it is naming the new line after former Premier Dave Barrett, whose government created the Agricultural Land Reserve to protect farmland. The announcment comes in advance of this Friday’s deadline for submitting feedback on a proposal to open the ALR to processors using as little as 5% local ingredients.

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With the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain line turbocharging development of the Fraser Hwy corridor and surrounding agricultural lands, the BC NDP today announced it is naming the new line after former Premier Dave Barrett, whose government created the Agricultural Land Reserve to protect farmland. The announcment comes in advance of this Friday’s deadline for submitting feedback on a proposal to open the ALR to processors using as little as 5% local ingredients.

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Thousands of big round bales of hay got shipped, and are getting shipped from the lower mainland to the interior due to dry weather and low water supply up country. Those ranchers are sure glad that we still have a few acres down here that can produce when other parts of the province dry up.

No disrespect meant but perhaps they should have named it the "ALR Line" to help educate those who don't know what the ALR is and what it does and doesn't allow.

This NDP government has done more to destroy the ALR than any government since the legislation was enacted in 1973. The Skytrain will bring more people. Processing plants that process only 5% of local produce will require more people to work there and housing for them to live in. And the processing plants will take large acreages of farmland to process 95% non-local ingredients that may even compete with local producers.

The A.L.R is a pain in the A.S.S

I do not agree with this proposed change to the ALR. It is a trojan horse designed to open up the ALR for development. Gary Runka must be turning in his grave. :(

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2 weeks ago

More than two years after the BC Tree Fruits Co-op shut down, a payout of $11.5 million is heading to former members this week. The payout follows a share purchase agreement approved this spring allowing the new privately owned BC Tree Fruits partnership to acquire the co-op’s shares in addition to the assets previously acquired. A further, final payout to growers is expected in December, once other outstanding claims have been resolved.

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More than two years after the BC Tree Fruits Co-op shut down, a payout of $11.5 million is heading to former members this week. The payout follows a share purchase agreement approved this spring allowing the new privately owned BC Tree Fruits partnership to acquire the co-op’s shares in addition to the assets previously acquired. A further, final payout to growers is expected in December, once other outstanding claims have been resolved.

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Short course rebranded, again

The Growers' Supply hort show in Oliver, February 14, attracted a full house of growers from Kamloops to Osoyoos after a two-year hiatus during the pandemic. TOM WALKER

October 18, 2023 byPeter Mitham

The long-running horticultural growers’ short course has undergone a fresh rebranding as it looks ahead to 2024.

Scheduled to run January 25-27, alongside the Pacific Agriculture Show at Tradex in Abbotsford, the Lower Mainland Horticultural Show will be one of three farm shows delivered by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food in partnership with local organizers.

The name of the event, organized by the Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association since 1958, underwent a change last year when the ministry stepped in as a delivery partner.

Rebranded as the Regenerative Agriculture and Growers’ Short Course, the event was presented by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food in partnership with LMHIA and the Pacific Agriculture Show.

The trio will continue to deliver the educational program, while the Pacific Agriculture Show will continue to organize the trade show that runs in parallel with the learning sessions.

The new name for the educational program emphasizes the local focus and drops the “regenerative agriculture” moniker, part of a broader shift on the part of the province as climate change adaptation attains greater prominence.

Conference funding will be provided in part through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative which will also support the Islands Agriculture Show at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds in Duncan, February 2-3, 2024 and the Southern Interior Horticultural Show, at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, February 16-17, 2024.

The province picked up the shows in Duncan and Penticton following last year’s successful run with the Lower Mainland show.

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