by TOM WALKER PRINCE GEORGE — The BC Honey Producers Association presented two lifetime achievement awards at its annual general meeting and conference in Prince George on October 4-6. Lance Cuthill was honoured for his work in educating beekeepers. “Lance’s volunteer work benefits all beekeepers across the province,” said BCHPA president Kerry Clark as he …
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Ranchers voice ALR concerns at public meetings
CRANBROOK – The province seems to be acting first and asking forgiveness later when making changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve, and that’s not working for ranchers in the East Kootenays and Kamloops region. Close to 60 farmers and landowners met in Cranbrook on November 5 for the seventh in a series of eight public …
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 …
No-till takes centre stage at field day
ROCK CREEK – West Kootenay farmers had a field day in the hills above Rock Creek on September 10. “We had an opportunity to view both informal and formal field trials that the farmers are developing,” says Rachael Roussin, coordinator of the Kootenay and Boundary Farm Advisors, which organized the event. “But these field days …
Parties unite on trespass legislation
VICTORIA – Unanimous support for tough laws to protect agrifood operations against trespassers was a highlight of agriculture day in Victoria this year. Opposition proposals were embraced by the government, resulting in a rare show of unity among the parties on an issue that has hit farmers hard over the past several years. “We understand …
Court sides with berry grower
Richmond has lost its case against a local berry grower whose signage pointing the way to his fruit stand was ticketed by a bylaw enforcement officer this summer. Bill Zylmans of W&A Farms was fined $1,000 this past June over signage on Westminster Highway at the foot of Knight Street promoting his fresh strawberries. The …