Jack DeWit is the new chair of the Investment Agriculture Foundation, succeeding Don Low who stepped down from the board at the organization’s annual general meeting April 8. DeWit was previously vice-chair of the organization, which has 13 directors. New to the board this year are Paul Devick, representing livestock, and David Machial, representing the …
innovation
Black walnuts are an option for water-logged land
KELOWNA – After 10 years in the growing phase, a Kelowna agro-forestry producer is gathering the seeds of her labour and looking at increasing processing capability for herself and others. Twenty years ago, Brenda Dureault, then a nurse, moved to a 26-acre property owned by her father to raise her children. Curly Frog Farm, as …
Agri-Innovation projects announced
Bees and cranberries are the latest recipients of funding under the Canada-BC Agri-Innovation Program, administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC. Worker Bee Honey Co. of Chilliwack received the largest portion of funding, $170,320, to support development of an automated honey extraction system. It will reduce labour costs for honey producers and improve data …
Agritech faces mixed attitudes
A farmer is one the most trusted people in the public mind, according to countless surveys, but that doesn’t mean the public trusts what they’re actually doing. This uncomfortable fact was driven home in two recent studies assessing public attitudes to agriculture in Canada and the U.S. The first, released last month by the Canadian …
Peace funds start flowing
Peace region farmers face countless challenges, from weather to resource development, but there was some good news this week with the announcement of funding that should boost the resilience of the sector. Seven projects will receive nearly $210,000 in the first disbursement of cash from the BC Hydro Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund. BC Hydro established …
BC agritech attracting major partners
VANCOUVER – Technological innovation is on the rise as a way to address the labour shortages facing agriculture and improve production practices, but getting the money to fund research and development activities is tough. To give companies a chance to share their successes with emerging companies on the hunt for cash, the Vantec Angel Network …