Strength in numbers


Associationmembership can provide numerous benefits for growers as the cherry industry keeps on expanding.


By Judie Steeves


embership in the B.C. Cherry Association should just be considered a cost of doing business by commercial cherry growers, according to the new president, Kelowna grower Sukhpaul Bal.


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A change in fees and organization of the association were approved last year, and now instead of a levy per pound of fruit and a


membership fee, growers simply pay $50 for each producing acre and $20 for each non-producing acre. As well, the minimum fee is $250 for orchards under five acres and the minimum fee for a full voting membership is $500.


A new category, reflecting the broader scope of the new group, is Trade Membership, for brokers and marketers. Other categories of non- voting members are Sponsor Members and Association Memberships for researchers, consultants and related professionals.


The association also plans to add more value for members, such as providing information on new products and practices, rootstocks and varieties, explained Bal. The association will provide not only research and market development, but also education, with simplified explanations of research results and other education


through seminars and publications for growers, he said.


As well, the association plans to develop an information network for new and younger growers. Summerland grower Erin Carlson will be working part-time on


administration and help with that facet of the association’s work, he said. One of the biggest


benefits of membership is market access, as the association works with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to gain access to new markets for fruit such as China, South Korea, Japan and Brazil. As the industry grows by leaps and bounds, finding new markets for


JUDIE STEEVES


Kelowna grower Sukhpaul Bal has succeeded Christine Dendy as president of the B.C. Cherry Association.


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