Karen Fenske My husband and I were told in our late 20s that we would need $1.7 million to retire. We were shocked, we chuckled, we talked about what we wanted in life, and then we lived it. It is a complex process to provide a useful answer to how much money you will need… Keep Reading
By Emma Holmes The BC Wildfire Service website has information on current wildfire activity, evacuation alerts and orders, wildfire preparedness information, and an interactive map, etc. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries (AFF) supports livestock relocation during emergencies. See website here for more information. AFF supports Wildfire 2021 Emergency Feed Program that is meant… Keep Reading
Emma Holmes The Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes (SAL) Lab at UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems is taking a collaborative approach to research that supports producers in making management decisions that are science-based and regionally grounded. I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Sean Smukler, DeLisa Lewis, Amy Norgaard, and Raelani Kesler from… Keep Reading
Planning In Your Thirties and Beyond Karen Fenske Developing a well-balanced financial strategy at each stage of life promotes peace of mind. The wealth and retirement planning strategies outlined below are relevant for young farmers, whether you will own property or not. The need for supplemental income component has historically been a reality for many… Keep Reading
A Network of Support for BC’s Ag Industry in COVID-19 Karina Sakalauskas I know the past two months have been a challenge to all. I hope your families and workers are staying healthy and safe at your farms. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and to respect physical distancing measures, Ministry staff are working remotely… Keep Reading
History of the Debate About the Future of Agriculture Thorsten Arnold This article was first published by the Organic Council of Ontario on January 18, 2019, and is reprinted here with gratitude. The organic farm and food industry is facing major challenges. IFOAM, the international federation of organic agriculture movements, is spearheading a debate on… Keep Reading
Karina Sakalauskas We, as organic producers, retailers, stakeholders, academia, and government bodies, among others, will shape the future of the organic sector. We must be informed, connected, and vocal about our concerns and suggestions to maintain the integrity of the industry. How are we working towards an improved future? We might begin with a discussion… Keep Reading
By the Province of British Columbia In keeping with the respect BC’s agricultural operators have for the land, air, and water, new rules for agricultural environmental management are now in place. After years of science and evidence-based analysis, as well as conversations with agricultural operators throughout the province, a new regulation called the Code of… Keep Reading
Emma Holmes As many of you are aware, new Organic Certification Regulation came into effect in BC on September 1, 2018. The term “organic” is now a protected label within BC for agricultural products that have been produced or processed in BC and that can be assessed using the Canadian Organic Standard CAN/CGSB 32.310, 32.311… Keep Reading
Tools for your Nutrient Management Toolkit Amy Norgaard, Dru Yates, & Emma Holmes Every year farmers align countless variables to produce healthy crops that make it to market. Crop planning. Bed prep. Transplanting. Irrigation. Weed management. Pest management. Harvest. Storage and transport. Typically, there is a sweet spot in terms of either quantity or timing… Keep Reading
