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 …
Rainfall returns as drought holds
The first atmospheric river of the season hit the South Coast this week, with the BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness advising people to get ready. “People can expect seasonal stormy conditions and are encouraged to take steps to prepare for the increased rainfall and the possibility of flooding,” an October 16 statement …
Production cost bind
Ottawa’s ambitions to rein in grocery prices are at odds with efforts to support producers, according to a growing chorus of voices throughout the supply chain. On the farmer side, national horticulture association Fruit and Vegetable Growers Canada says the federal government has failed to consider how capping grocery prices will impact producers. “We appreciate …
Rural communities see surge in farmland sales
ROCK CREEK – Farmers and non-farmers wanting to buy farmland are increasingly migrating to BC’s rural communities to find land that’s more affordable than in urban areas. The impacts of this trend are wide-reaching: land is in high demand and supply is limited, land values have increased and properties suited to growing food are being …
ALR policy review shows room for improvement
PRINCE GEORGE – A third-party review of Agricultural Land Reserve policies by UNBC undergraduate student Matt Henderson hopes to capture the challenges North Cariboo producers face and recommend ways government can better support the industry. And unlike many government initiatives, it is welcomed by farmers, ranchers and community partners. “I would say that many, many …
Country Life in BC tops awards
Country Life in BC came away with a record nine awards from the annual Canadian Farm Writers Federation competition on October 5. The paper’s team of writers and photographers came out tops in the Opinion, Current Affairs and business writing categories, and swept the top spots in the photography classes. Reprising last year’s success, columnist …