A lack of fresh federal funding means the industry associations for raspberry and strawberry growers are set to run deficits in 2019. The budgets approved at the annual general meetings of the Raspberry Industry Development Council (RIDC) and the BC Strawberry Growers Association (BCSGA) at the end of March both project small deficits. RIDC ended …
New year, new funding
A new fiscal year is giving BC producers a chance to tap into fresh funding for projects ranging from traceability to replant projects. A six-week intake for producers seeking funding to help them meet new federal traceability requirements ended February 28, and is being reprised now through March 2020, with a claims deadline of February …
One province, one panel
VICTORIA – A second round of changes to the Agricultural Land Commission is in the works that will eliminate the system of six regional panels the BC Liberals established in 2002. The change headlines a bill BC agriculture minister Lana Popham introduced March 7. It was one of the first government bills tabled in the …
“Island Good” campaign drives local sales
NANAIMO – Farmers, food processors and retailers on Vancouver Island have a new tool in their marketing toolbox to help tap into local consumer preferences for Island products. “Island Good” is a new brand the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) created last year. The brand was launched as a pilot project aimed at increasing awareness …
Organic sector undertakes core review
VERNON – Celebrating organics while preparing for the next generation of consumers was a key theme of the annual conference of the Certified Organic Associations of BC in Vernon, February 22-24. An open discussion on Friday night, a Saturday morning panel and a Sunday roundtable all touched on the challenges the sector faces as organic …
Codes of practice need producer input
VICTORIA – BC SPCA hosted the first Canadian Animal Policy Symposium in Victoria on March 1, bringing together provincial policymakers and scientists from across Canada to share best practices in animal policy development. Working collaboratively and proactively is key to crafting animal policy. “The art of collaboration – Canadians do it really well,” summarizes UBC …