The first gathering of farmers institutes in four years is set to take place November 30. The online gathering has been organized in response to requests at a workshop the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District systems change project hosted in Abbotsford in January. Reinvigorating the province’s network of farmers institutes was one of the ways the project …
NEWS
Underused housing tax extension
Confusion is frustrating the federal government’s attempts to implement its underused housing tax. The proposed tax was the subject of bulletins and workshops earlier this year, when property owners faced a May 1 deadline for filing a nine-page declaration regarding their properties’ use. But citing ignorance of the tax, the government gave a second extension …
Farm accelerator program renewed
The province is relaunching a farm support program piloted two years ago, rebranding it with the assistance of federal funding. The New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program is receiving $600,000 under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support business planning and equipment purchases for farms that have not reported income in the past five years. …
Water licence fight highlights need for change
DUNCAN – A well-loved farmstand and restaurant on Vancouver Island hopes a change in oversight of groundwater management will lead to a more collaborative approach to resolving licensing issues. Katy and John Ehrlich of Alderlea Farm on Vancouver Island have run their award-winning farm for more than 20 years, growing a variety of vegetables and …
BCAC lobbying event positive
A day of productive discussions in Victoria culminated in a reception where representatives of the BC Agriculture Council celebrated their successes and furthered relations with MLAs and stakeholders. Dozens of meetings with elected representatives from all parties as well as cabinet members, their staff and – for the first time ever, the premier – made …
Ranches, province fail rangelands
Compliance, enforcement and management issues have come to light in South Okanagan protected areas that allow tenured grazing. “This is a protected area that has very sensitive and important ecosystems to the public,” BC Forest Practices Board chair Keith Atkinson says. Public complaints in January and July 2021 triggered an investigation into grazing practices and …