NELSON – One of the Nelson area’s larger market gardens, Bent Plow Farm, is a model that other farmers and agriculture enthusiasts are excited to see. About 30 people braved heavy rains September 27 to attend a field day organized by Kootenay & Boundary Farm Advisors and Young Agrarians. But if visitors huddled under umbrellas …
NEWS
US approves SWD parasite
Parasitic wasps have joined battle alongside berry growers in the fight against spotted-wing drosophila. US researchers have successfully petitioned the US Department of Agriculture to permit the release of Ganaspis brasiliensis for SWD control within the US. “This permit allows mass rearing and release of these parasites throughout the USA,” a team of researchers led by …
BCAC meetings bear fruit
Representatives of agriculture organizations from across BC met with provincial cabinet ministers and staff today as part of a virtual BC Agriculture Day. With meetings continuing past 5 pm yesterday, the event organized by the BC Agriculture Council was set to include 35 meetings over two days with more than 50 farmers, ranchers and agricultural …
Produce drives BC exports
Canada’s ambitions of achieving $75 billion in agri-food exports by 2025 were set back by COVID-19, but the prospects remain bright as Marie-Claude Bibeau once more takes the reins of the department following September’s election. Farm Credit Canada released its annual review of trade shortly before Bibeau was sworn into cabinet this week, highlighting Canada’s …
Saanichton Farm named a Century Farm
Bryce and Jill Rashleigh of Saanichton Farm, located on the Saanich Peninsula, will receive the province’s Century Farm Award on Saturday. The Rashleigh family’s farming roots were planted in 1912 when John Stanley Rashleigh immigrated to Canada from England. In 1913, he purchased 16 acres in the Coombs-Hilliers area. However, John returned to England during …
Apple marketing commission proposed
An online forum tonight will discuss a proposal to form an apple marketing commission, similar to what exists for vegetables and cranberries, to improve grower returns. A survey of 21 growers earlier this year by Vancouver consulting firm Ference & Co. for the New Tree Fruit Varieties Development Council, found that 81% were in favour …