Organic Federation of Canada Canadian farmers are already experiencing serious negative impacts of climate change due to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, forest fires, and ocean acidification—but resilient agriculture delivers ecological services and sets the path for food security amid climate change turmoil. In alignment with what the Food and Agriculture Organization of… Keep Reading
The Relationship Between Religions, Agriculture, and Civilizations Marjorie Harris “The way we see the world shapes the way we treat it. If a mountain is a deity, not a pile of ore…if a forest is a sacred grove, not timber; if other species are biological kin, not resources; or if the planet is our mother,… Keep Reading
By Ron Berezan This article was first published by The Canadian Organic Grower magazine in Summer 2011, and is reprinted here with gratitude. “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.” – Benjamin Franklin, 1746 Turn on the tap and there it is; that shimmering, miraculous substance that flows through our rivers… Keep Reading
Our Best Case for a Climate-Changed Food System Brian MacIsaac and Rebecca Kneen Fifty years ago, the combination of climate crisis, income inequality, and environmental toxification led to a massive change in North America. The polar ice melt raised the ocean by several feet, drowning cities all over the coast, including all the coastal agricultural… Keep Reading
By Anna Helmer Alas, alak. Which is to say, phew. My self-celebrated cull potato Biodynamic compost pile is not available to evaluate in time for this article deadline: the snowpack beneath which it languishes lingers still. Truth be told, I am relieved. I have not been shy about leading us all to believe I am… Keep Reading
By Crystal Arsenault Innovative technology for agriculture is all the buzz these days and farmers appear receptive to trying new things in an effort to increase their profits as well as make better decisions that support the mitigation of climate change. But, for many, the hard decision is which tech to invest in. Not only… Keep Reading
Ready for Growth, Small-Scale Meat Producers are Limited by Access to Processing By Julia Smith The Small-Scale Meat Producers Association recently completed a province-wide survey of the small-scale meat producing sector in which we heard from 708 operations representing 2,110 producers across all 27 regional districts of the province. Eighteen respondents reported being certified organic,… Keep Reading
A Farm and Foodlands Owner’s Guide By Michael Marrapese The Foodlands Cooperative of BC has a bold vision—to secure farmland for farming for future generations. While the Agricultural Land Reserve offers some protection by restricting the allowable activities on farmland, it has had only a modest effect on the selling price and accessibility of farmland… Keep Reading
We asked past presidents and board members of Organic BC to share memories from their time on the board—so many people have contributed so much over the years. These reflections are snapshots from the past 30 years, as we grew from small group of dedicated farmers, ranchers, and processors to the incredible community we have… Keep Reading
Over the past year, the Organic BC community lost two very special people, Dave McCandless and Bob Mitchell. We remember them here with sadness for their passing, and with gratitude for the legacy of their knowledge, skills, rich soils, stories, passions, and contributions. They are remembered, and live on in our work. Dave McCandless (1934… Keep Reading
