10 BC leads in organic


consumption Initiatives show leadership


by TAMARA LEIGH


VERNON — A new report on the state of Canada’s organic sector highlights BC’s strengths as the province moves towards implementation of mandatory organic standards in 2018. Published by the Canadian


Organic Trade Association, The State of Organics: Federal- Provincial-Territorial Performance Report 2017 is a benchmark analysis of the organic policy frameworks of Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments. The first of its kind, the


report highlights BC’s long history of organic production and development of market and production supports for organic growers. According to Certified Organic Associations of BC statistics, 66% of the province’s consumers buy


organic weekly, making BC one of the strongest organic markets in Canada. The report recommends


that governments ensure that all provinces and territories adopt organic regulations, invest in expanded and improved organic data collection systems, and increase organic policies and programs across jurisdictions. COABC president Carmen


Wakeling is pleased with BC’s progress in many of these areas. The report specifically praised BC’s move towards a mandatory organic standard and the development of the BC Certified Organic database to provide accurate data on the BC organic sector. “With the mandatory


organic regulations coming in, it gave us a bit more drive to work on the database for information collection,” says Wakeling. “It’s exciting that it


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Proudly certifying Producers and Processors within BC and Alberta.


FVOPA delivers year-round certification services to all regions of Canada, in compliance with the Canadian Organic Standards, and the BC Certified Organic ISO 17065 program. Products may bear the Canada Organic logo and be marketed Canada-wide and internationally. FVOPA provides proficient certification for all types of Producers, Processors, and Packers, using only IOIA qualified Inspectors. FVOPA is a self-sustaining, proactive, leading edge certification agency.


FVOPA provides year round certification services compliant with the Canadian Organic Standards (CAN/CGSB) and in accordance with the BC Certified Organic ISO 17065 recognized program. Products may be sold Canada-wide and in international markets. FVOPA ensures an efficient, professional certification process for all farm, processing and handling operations. Inspectors are lOlA trained and qualified making FVOPA a leading Certification Agency.


Phone 604-789-7586 P.O. Box 18591 Delta, BC V4K 4V7


Delta, BC V4L2P8


Phone: 778-434-3070 Admin cell: 604-789-7586 PO Box 19052


Message 604-607-1655 Email: admin@fvopa.ca www.fvopa.ca


Email: admin@fvopa.ca www.fvopa.ca


SHOW US YOUR CARROTS! BC Agriculture in the Classroom hosted 30 teachers at their 2017 Summer Institute course this summer, where teachers visited Wisby Farms’ carrot field on Sumas Prairie. SUBMITTED PHOTO


was identified as one of our strengths in the report, even though it’s still in progress.” COABC is currently


developing the Organic Online System, an innovative application tool that will feed into the BC Certified Organic database. The Organic Online System will streamline the application and certification process for organic producers, saving them time, paperwork and money. The online system


will better prepare the industry to handle the anticipated increase in applications as new entrants transition to organic status as a result of tighter regulation of the term “organic.” “Our focus will be continuing to support the transition to mandatory organic standards, supporting people in transition, and supporting consumers to understand what's going on,”


says Wakeling. “We really want to encourage organic growers to support those in the community that are wanting to make the transition, and to see if there are things they can do to help them. The transitions that are being made are going to help us all in the long run, and I think it’s beneficial if we can try to support each other to move this ahead.”


Bracing for second flight of armyworm


by TAMARA LEIGH PORT ALBERNI – The first


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wave of armyworm has swept through forage crops on Vancouver Island, leaving empty fields and growing feed bills in its wake. “Assessing the damage is still a bit of a work in progress, but dollar wise, it will cost us close to $100,000,” says Terry Shannon, who runs a dairy in the Alberni Valley with his brother and their sons.


“There’s been a significant reduction in hay on the second cut. We only harvested about 30% of what we would normally see. Right now, my cows are eating two tons of alfalfa a day when I normally wouldn’t feed any.” Feed is scarce across the Island this year, causing some farmers to consider reducing their herds rather than buying feed. “For us, it’s a little different because we have quota to


manage so it’s not an option for us to reduce our herd,” says Shannon.


Despite a much smaller second cut this summer, the grass is showing signs of recovery, giving people like the Shannons hope that the entire season might not be lost. Meanwhile, BC agriculture ministry staff are providing information to producers about this rare pest and monitoring the situation as it develops. “We've set the traps monitoring for mid-summer flight, and we're catching moths. We don't know how bad the second generation will be until we count larva, however we're not expecting it to be as bad as the first,” says Tracy Hueppelsheuser, entomologist with the BC Ministry of Agriculture. “I’m going to keep the cows


Mark Driediger, CFP, Senior Wealth Advisor Assante Financial Management Ltd. www.MarkDriediger.com | (604) 859-4890


on the grass and have them take whatever grass there is,” says Shannon, sharing his strategy for the second wave. “The cows will be competing with the armyworm.”


While the total damage will Your Farm. Your Family. Your Future.


Please visit www.assante.com/legal.jsp or contact Assante at 1-800-268-3200 for information with respect to important legal and regulatory disclosures relating to this notice.


not be known until the end of the season, the ministry has already notified producers that they will not be eligible for compensation beyond existing business risk management programs.


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • SEPTEMBER 2017


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