• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Country Life In BC Logo

The agricultural news source in British Columbia since 1915

  • Headlines
  • Calendar
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Archives
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Headlines
  • Calendar
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Archives
  • Contact

Primary Sidebar

Current Issue:

MAY 2025
Vol. 111 Issue 4

Subscribe Now!

Sign up for free weekly FARM NEWS UPDATES

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Your information will not be
shared or sold ever

Follow us on Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

7 days 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.

#bcag
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Arts leads BCFGA forward

www.countrylifeinbc.com

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.
View Comments
  • Likes: 7
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

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.

#bcag
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Milk board undertakes review

www.countrylifeinbc.com

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.
View Comments
  • Likes: 4
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

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.

#bcag
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

BC wool value, volume drop

www.countrylifeinbc.com

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...
View Comments
  • Likes: 6
  • Shares: 4
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

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.

#bcag
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Market farm works smarter, not harder

www.countrylifeinbc.com

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…
View Comments
  • Likes: 2
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

4 weeks ago

... See MoreSee Less

View
View Comments
  • Likes: 8
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Subscribe | Advertise

The agricultural news source in British Columbia since 1915
  • Email
  • Facebook

Co-op meets with growers

September 7, 2022 byPeter Mitham

A series of public engagement sessions are giving BC Tree Fruits Co-op members an opportunity to comment on plans to consolidate packing operations in Oliver and sell off assets in Kelowna and Lake Country.

An in-person meeting takes place in Oliver today, with a second session set to take place in Kelowna in the days ahead.

“We will be looking to schedule an in-person meeting in the Kelowna area, hopefully next week, for our growers,” co-op vice-president, growers relations, Laurel Van Dam says.

An initial meeting with growers scheduled for Kelowna on September 1 pivoted to Zoom after Ramada Kelowna Hotel & Conference Centre staff voiced security concerns, “due to potentially disruptive protest activity.”

While the co-op has said it had provided growers “with information packages and have hosted meetings to provide an opportunity to find out more information and ask questions,” the consolidation of operations is an emotional issue.

Situated at the northern end of the Black Sage and Golden Mile wine regions, a shift away from tree fruits to grapes in the South Okanagan has supported Oliver’s long-standing claim to be “the wine capital of Canada.” Many growers see consolidation in Oliver as a shift away from where production is happening, threatening fruit quality.

Many older growers also object to the co-op’s management of members’ equity. With grower returns cruising historic lows, any threat to this equity – even with the best of intentions – stirs strong emotions.

The move to consolidate operations in the south is also raising broader concerns about the viability of the tree fruit industry in the central and north Okanagan, where the majority of apple growers are now located.

However, Kelowna staff tell Country Life in BC that media reports of the city’s efforts to retain local packing capacity are wrong, noting that the Local Government Act prohibits municipalities from providing assistance to businesses.

The province, which led an industry stabilization initiative, has not responded to a request for comment on the potential disruption the consolidation could cause.

Previous Post: « Wildfire threat remains high
Next Post: Bert Miles remembered »

Copyright © 2025 Country Life in BC · All Rights Reserved

View on Facebook
PreviousNext

View on Facebook