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Current Issue:

MAY 2025
Vol. 111 Issue 4

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1 week ago

From orchard manager to government specialist and now executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association, Adrian Arts brings a rare blend of hands-on farming experience and organizational leadership to an industry poised for renewal. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for BC fruit growers, with Arts expressing enthusiasm about continuing the momentum built by his predecessor and working alongside a board that signals a generational shift in agricultural advocacy.

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Arts leads BCFGA forward

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A combination of organizational management and practical farming experience has primed the new executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association to lead the industry forward.
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2 weeks ago

A public consultation is now underway on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board. Key issues for dairy producers include transportation costs, rules governing shipments and limitations on supporting processing initiatives. Stakeholders have until May 31 to comment.

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Milk board undertakes review

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A public consultation on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board is underway as part of a triennial review required by the British Columbia Milk Marketing Board Regulation.
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2 weeks ago

BC wool shipments drop sharply in 2023, according to StatsCan data released in mid-April. Local producers shipped just 5,200kg at 37¢/kg, down from 18,600kg at $1.08/kg in 2022. While many farmers now use wool on-farm or dispose of it due to low market value, innovative producers like Emily McIvor point to untapped opportunities. Read more in our Farm News Update from Country Life in BC.

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BC wool value, volume drop

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BC sheep producers shipped less wool for less in 2023, reversing strong growth a year earlier. BC producers shipped 5,200 kilograms of raw wool in 2023, according to Statistics Canada data released on...
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2 weeks ago

Eric Feehely and Miho Shinbo are growing 30+ crops on 2.5 acres in Vernon. Writer Myrna Stark Leader takes a look at how Silverstar Veggies is balancing CSA programs, farmers markets and restaurant sales while planning smart expansions in challenging economic times in Market farm works smarter, not harder.

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Market farm works smarter, not harder

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VERNON – Silverstar Veggies, a five-year-old mixed vegetable and herb farm in Vernon, thrives on passion and innovative ideas. A former watersport and adventure sport instructor…
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4 weeks ago

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BC Tree CEO on leave

BC Tree Fruits CEO Warren Sarafinchan. TOM WALKER, photo

August 23, 2023 byTom Walker

BC Tree Fruits Cooperative CEO Warren Sarafinchan took an extended leave of absence, effective August 5, following a battle with COVID-19 and the toll four years of transformation at the co-op has taken.

“This decision comes as he focuses on recovering from COVID and takes some much-needed time to rest with his family,” co-op chair Andre Scheepers says in an letter to staff and members. “He is also taking that time to consider his future with BC Tree Fruits Cooperative.”

Co-op chief financial officer Doug Pankiw will double as acting CEO in Sarafinchan’s absence.

Sarafinchan was hired as CEO in the fall of 2019, the co-op’s fourth hire for the position in eight years. Grower returns have been low for the last several years and Sarafinchan has worked to introduce minimum pricing, sell off assets and make changes to the board of directors.

Yet a number of top growers have left the co-op, seeking better returns from independent packing houses.

A decision last year to not build a proposed state-of-the-art plant in Kelowna and instead renovate and expand the Oliver packing house, led to a special general meeting in November 2022. Grower members forced the meeting over concerns they had not been adequately consulted.

Among the special resolutions presented at the meeting, growers proposed removing the entire board of directors. The vote was 59% in favour, short of the two-thirds majority required.

The co-op broke ground on the renovation and expansion of the Oliver plant earlier this year, with a public ceremony marking the event taking place July 5.

BC Fruit Growers Association president Peter Simonsen says he wishes Sarafinchan well in his return to health.

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