ABBOTSFORD – A growing number of dairy farms in the Fraser Valley are considering selling as narrow margins get tighter and high financing costs complicate succession plans. “The dairy [sector] is particularly challenged,” says Karen Taylor, director of corporate finance, agriculture and agribusiness with BMO Financial Group in Abbotsford, who addressed a workshop the Centre …
Greenhouse extends growing season, sales
WYCLIFFE – When imported produce is in short supply at the grocery store and fresh produce becomes a winter luxury, it’s heartening to know dedicated farmers are producing good food locally through the season. Apple Quill Farm in Wycliffe, a small community between Cranbrook and Kimberley, is one of the most prolific small-scale winter producers …
Surrey ALR inclusion cheered
A standing-room only crowd of more than 250 people attended a public hearing the Agricultural Land Commission hosted in Langley Monday night regarding a proposal to include 305 acres controlled by the federal government in the Agricultural Land Reserve. Situated in the Campbell Heights area of Surrey, 220 acres are leased to Heppell’s Potato Corp. …
PAS kicks off
The province’s largest agricultural trade show kicks off this week, as the Pacific Agriculture Show celebrates its 25th anniversary at the Tradex in Abbotsford on January 26-28. Registrations for the rebranded Regenerative Agriculture and Growers Short Course indicate strong attendance this year that will push Tradex – now under new management – to the max. …
BC vine damage discussed
The blast of cold air Okanagan vineyards experienced December 21 was a hot topic at this week’s Unified Wine and Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California. The largest show devoted to viticulture and enology in North America, the conference included panels on vine resilience and winter damage – timely discussions following the severe frost event that …
Pilot helps UBCO’s Feed BC initiative grow
KELOWNA – A year-old pilot program at UBC Okanagan is showing that providing more locally sourced foods for students takes resources well as commitment. Since September 2021, UBC has been working with the North Okanagan Land to Table Network to bring more local food to campus. A participant in the province’s Feed BC program, which …