A new provincial extension service is in the works, an initiative applauded at an Agri-Extension and Research event organized by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and held at the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food in Abbotsford on January 27. The regional extension program will be launched this spring. It will be a progression of the …
BC Ministry of Agriculture
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 …
Poultry gatherings banned
The province has tightened controls on poultry in the face of a growing number of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza. With fall bird migrations in full wing, the province’s chief veterinary officer reintroduced an order on October 14 indefinitely prohibiting the comingling of flocks. The order applies to all poultry, fowl, guinea fowl, peafowl, …
Budget boost for agriculture
This week’s budget delivered a big boost to the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. An extra $8 million was allocated to the ministry, an 8% increase from a year ago. The ministry budget now exceeds $107 million. The increase benefits two key areas, with the largest tranche of additional funding supporting the large …
Producers urged to make emergency plans
VICTORIA – When flooding hit Sumas Prairie last month, years of efforts by the BC Dairy Association to prepare producers for disaster paid off. Working with the provincial government, the association developed an emergency planning workbook for members. A template pulls together key information producers should have at hand in the event of an emergency, …
Raspberries get replant funding
A long-awaited raspberry replant program kicked off BC agriculture minister Lana Popham’s second term in cabinet this week. Popham announced $90,000 in funding for the program December 1 as part of a suite if announcements positioned as helping farmers recover from the effects of COVID-19. The program will also see $72,000 contributed by industry for …