should even be reviewing some of those, but he wouldn’t be more specific. There is strong public support for the ALR, but it needs to be sustainable, he noted.
Bullock agreed, saying he was
surprised and gratified at the level of support for the ALR when he travelled around the province getting input on it for his report.
He said he believes the ALC has a different role to play than it once had. Too much time is spent considering applications for exclusion from the reserve and not enough working with communities to plan for agriculture. “I’d like to see a change from us reacting to being more proactive,” Bullock said. Piecemeal realignment of the ALR boundaries should be replaced with planning. INNOVATION
Farmers are competing in globally- competitive markets today so they need to think outside the box and not be satisfied with the status quo. “Innovation is needed,” commented Stewart.
Government, he said, has tried to
provide good risk management tools to growers and he feels there is a good relationship between the ministry and agricultural organizations, but, he added, “No industry can expect special deals.”
Growers who recognized they need to be on the cutting edge of what the market is looking for have done amazingly well, he noted. People are interested in learning about the farmers behind the food. “From the sleepless nights at blossom time through to harvest, it’s a difficult business. But, there’s nothing better than fresh fruit. We need to diversify so we own the home market,” he commented.
Stewart plans to meet with retailers and challenge them to buy local. He also intends to review the Buy B.C. program, or something like it, and look at doing some marketing for B.C. products.
People now are discovering they want local produce, they’re taking better care of themselves, and they’re more concerned about what goes into their food, he said.
“We need to be part of that differentiation. We’re recognized around the world because we have a flavour difference. We need to tell people we’re different so we can put more money into growers’ pockets. “We need to work together to increase returns.”
Stewart said he intends to speak with federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz about the importance of breaking down the trade barriers between provinces in this country. “We should be sharing Canadian produce. It’s ridiculous as it is. There should be open and fair trade within the country.”
He admitted that social services ministries have out-competed the resource-based ministries at the moment for a share of the budget pie, but he said priorities change in government.
Stewart is the founder of Quails’ Gate Estate Winery, which grew out of a family orchard, then vineyard in West Kelowna. It’s a diversified family operation today, but his share is currently in a blind trust while he holds elected office.
16 British Columbia Berry Grower • Spring 2011
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