The province has stepped up with $12 million over three years in support of the 10-year-old BC Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program. The funding, announced by Health Minister Adrian Dix at the Kitsilano Farmers Market on June 5, will average $4 million a year. This is an increase from $2.25 million three years ago, and …
NEWS
Weather chills BC berries
A cool spring has put a damper on this year’s strawberry crop, but growers hope a delayed start to the season will lead to a longer finish for what’s traditionally the first of the summer berries. Normally, Maan Farms in Abbotsford would be two-thirds through its first pick by early June. This year, cool temperatures …
Recovery fund deadline extended
A historic funding package has seen minimal disbursements to date, prompting the province to extend the deadline for applications. Producers impacted by catastrophic flooding and landslides following last November’s atmospheric river events will have until August 31 to file claims with the Canada-BC Flood Recovery Program for Food Security. “We’ve had over 400 applications so …
Bird flu in FV
ABBOTSFORD – A control zone was imposed on more than 50 commercial poultry farms in West Abbotsford last month following the discovery of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a local turkey farm, complicating the outlook for producers already under pressure from multiple supply chain issues. “We’ve been meeting our chicken numbers so far as allocation …
Dairy tops economic impact
BC Dairy Association members were in Victoria this week for meetings with government representatives, with ice cream distributed to the public at the legislature on Tuesday. But dairy is also the most valuable agribusiness in Abbotsford, according to a report released last week by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce. The report estimates the economic impact …
Diesel prices plateau
Producers and consumers alike are keeping close tabs on prices at the pumps. While relief cannot come soon enough for farmers, fuel prices show no signs of dropping until the second half of the year. That means producers will have to consider operational changes or bite the bullet as the busy summer season approaches. “If …