Hort symposium


Top performers recognized G


By Susan McIver


rowers fromPenticton,Kelowna and Summerland were recipients of the 2012 Tree Fruit Industry Awards presented at the annual B.C. Tree Fruit


Horticultural Symposiumheld inKelowna,March 6-7. Michel andHilma Labelle of Penticton received the


Golden Apple Trophy for the best overall apple orchard of the year. Selection is based on high quality fruit in combination


with good yields and excellent horticultural practices. Born and raised in the apple region ofMont-St.Gregoire,


Quebec,Michelmoved in 1982 to Penticton,where hemet hiswife,Hilma. Michel currentlymanages 20 acres, including 11 acres of


apples in super spindle/slender spindle plantings, three acres of soft fruit and three acres of cherries. Keeping orchards super clean,working as a team, hiring


the best people and nurturing those relationships are Michel’s operating principles. His teamincludes five retired orchardists and other


knowledgeable people, such as horticulturistNicole Verpaelst. The CompactOrchard Awardwas presented toMike and


PriscillaMelnichuk. It recognizes specific blocks rather thanwhole orchards


and is based on high-density systems, horticultural excellence and high-quality fruit. A native ofKelowna,Mikewas raised on an apple


orchard in the Ellison district. In 1968, hemarried Priscilla, who dedicated herself to the orchard partnership and plays a key role in the operation. In 1992,Mikewas one of seven apple growers to visit


European orchardswith super spindle plantings and subsequently introduce the technique to BC. Currently, theMelnichuks have approximately 40 acres


planted inHoneycrisp,Gala,Granny Smith, Spartan and McIntosh. Michael and Pat Beulah received the Soft Fruit Award. The Beulahs produce high-quality, large fruitwith


excellent yields, all important selection criteria for the award. Michael grewup on his grandfather’s orchard in


Summerland, earned a BSc in agriculture and then purchased his own 10 acres in his hometown. Today, his total operation is 20 acres of cherrieswith an


additional five acres to be developed. Varieties grown include 10 acres of Lapins, three acres


each of Staccato andKootenay Special, two acres of Sweethearts and one acre each of Skeena and Sentennial. The Beulahs operate a small packing line on their


property andmost of the cherry production is destined for exportmarkets. The BCFGA is overall sponsor of the awards,while


Chemtura AgroSolutions Canada,DowAgroSciences and Arysta LifeSciences sponsor theGolden Apple Award, CompactOrchard Award and Soft Fruit Award, respectively.


SUSAN MCIVER


Michael and Pat Beulah of Summerland are the winners of the 2012 Soft Fruit Award.


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Summer 2013 15 SUSAN MCIVER


Mike and Priscilla Melnichuk receive the Compact Orchard Award from Lisa Jarett (left) of Dow AgroSciences.


SUSAN MCIVER


The 2012 Golden Apple Trophy was awarded to Michel and Hilma Labelle. Above, Michel and senior team leader for Labelle Farm, Laurie Navrot, accept the award.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36