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
Integrity from Field to Fork Marjorie Harris COR Section 8: Maintaining organic integrity during cleaning, preparation and transportation Operators are responsible for maintaining organic integrity at all points of the market supply chain, from production through point of sale to the final consumer. Organic product integrity, from the farmer’s field to the consumer’s fork, is… Keep Reading
Andrew Adams As I sit here in my slightly chilly office typing away on the computer, analyzing data from the past year and comparing other years of similar climatic conditions, all I can think is, “How would I be able to make the important business decisions I make each year without the data and evidence… Keep Reading
Anna Helmer Before I get rolling on this, the fourth installment of Biodynamic Farm Story, I need to remind anyone still reading that I am pushing this farming method because I believe in it. It works for the plants, the soil, the farm, the people, and the world. I think it should be in the… Keep Reading
Administrative Director, Islands Organic Producers Association (IOPA) The future of organic is on everyone’s mind these days, and many conversations have circled around change. Recently, organic growers have been presented with several changes, from organic becoming a protected label to new online tools, which means we’ve all had to find time to grow (farm pun… Keep Reading
Fighting Drought through Complex Ecosystems By Emma Holmes Irecently had the pleasure of visiting Covert Farms Family Estate in Oliver, where Gene Covert, a third-generation farmer, gave me a tour of his family’s 650 acre organic farm, vineyard, and winery. Gene’s grandpa George Covert bought the desert-like piece of land back in 1959, and although… Keep Reading
Photos and text by Michael Marrapese In 2018 Fraser Common Farm Co-operative—home of Glorious Organics—undertook a year long on-farm research project to explore how small farms could adapt to climate change. Seeing the changes in seasonal rainfall, climate predictions by Environment Canada, and new ground water regulations from the provincial government, the cooperative could see… Keep Reading
Anna Helmer I used to write a small weekly column for the local paper, telling stories about the farm each week. I kept it going through the busy times and the not busy times. I hardly remember how I managed to write the required 600 coherent words during those intensely busy summer weeks. Maybe they… Keep Reading
Gayle Palas Consumer opinion can make or break a brand. The recent surge in awareness around food waste, the climate crisis, and ocean pollution has increased anti-plastic sentiments and triggered campaigns to remove single use plastic from our communities. Naturally this has extended to food packaging where the impact of consumer perspective is starting to… Keep Reading
Community Food Analysis Laboratories Ron Wasik and Carmen Wakeling The Small Scale Food Processors Association (SSFPA) is a national trade association of processors, growers and suppliers of food and agricultural products which aims to help its members grow their businesses and expand local economies. A 2016 survey by the SSFPA revealed that there was a… Keep Reading
