New Organic Farmers on Leased Land Tessa Wetherill Spring on an organic produce farm looks like baby greens, tiny radishes, overflowing seedling greenhouses, and freshly turned soil. Everything feels precious and new and brimming with possibility. Touring around Loveland Acres in Salmon Arm with farmers Robin and Maylene, those feelings were especially palpable and poignant… Keep Reading
Corinne Impey When it comes to growing, organic certification, and supporting local operators, Cara Nunn could be considered an expert. She has also seen many changes over her 20-year career in the organic industry. Cara is the Certification Coordinator for the North Okanagan Organics Association (NOOA) and the Similkameen Okanagan Organic Producers Association (SOOPA). “My… 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
Marc Fawcett-Atkinson With a campervan-sized cabin and two children, a family dinner aboard Joel and Melissa Collier’s fishing boat is a lesson in gymnastics. There’s barely room for a plate—never mind elbows and legs—but the Comox-based family wouldn’t have it otherwise. “Fishermen don’t fish for money,” said Melissa Collier, a swimming scallop, salmon, and prawn… Keep Reading
Wendy Bennett – Executive Director, AgSafe BC It’s fair to say that there isn’t one farmer in British Columbia who has experienced anything like what we are going through right now with the COVID-19 outbreak. The invasive spread of the virus has forced most businesses to suspend or alter operations. In BC, food and agriculture… Keep Reading
Anne Macey Originally published in The Canadian Organic Grower, Spring 2018, and updated by the author in May 2020, with thanks. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) has established its Principles of Organic Agriculture. Within those, IFOAM includes a Principle of Fairness, which states “Organic agriculture should be built on relationships that ensure… Keep Reading
Anna Helmer Biodynamically, there is nothing to be done but carry on. As far as I know, Rudolph Steiner did not articulate any advice on performing the pandemic farm pivot when he envisioned what has become Biodynamic farming. Mind you, he did live through the big flu of the early 20th century, so I think… Keep Reading
Rest is Key to Innovate (and Survive a Pandemic) Michelle Tsutsumi and Rebecca Kneen Starting this piece during the onset of COVID-19 in BC created a curious opening for Rebecca and I to delve deeply into what improvement means for organics (both of us speaking from a smaller scale perspective, with the need to hear… Keep Reading
Amy Lobb & Calum Oliver, Makoha Farm Corinne Impey Makoha Farm is owned and operated by Amy and Calum, who began their farming journey in 2019 on 0.6 acres of leased land on Cordova Bay Ridge in Saanich, BC.At Makoha Farm, they want their love of good food to come across in what they grow:… Keep Reading
“This is the moment for food in British Columbia.” BC’s Minister of Agriculture, Lana Popham, opened the 2020 BC Organic Conference with a message of hope. In front of a very large crowd of organic growers, producers, and supporters, she spoke of the convergence of the increased demand for local food, a growing interest in… Keep Reading
