MARCH 2018 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC Gala celebrates
ag leadership Industry achievers recognized at annual event
by TAMARA LEIGH
ABBOTSFORD – The 16th annual BC Agri-Foods Industry Gala brought the bright lights of the agriculture sector together for an evening of gratitude and celebration. The event was kicked off with a moving and thoughtful farewell speech from Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon, who is in the final year of her term. BC Minister of Agriculture
Lana Popham, who has been a regular attendee of the event since she was first elected in 2009, took a moment to bask in her first opportunity to attend and speak as minister before turning the focus to the farmers in the room. “I’m so grateful to have the
opportunity to work with farmers, ranchers, producers and processors throughout our province this year to further build up the sector through Grow BC, Feed BC and Buy BC,” she said. The awards ceremony this
year had some pleasant surprises, mostly for the recipients. Longtime farm writing stalwart and editor emeritus of Country Life in BC David Schmidt was recognized with the Scotiabank Champion of Agriculture award. The award recognizes his career of over 35 years in agriculture communications and journalism. “It’s an incredible honour to
receive an award for something you enjoy doing. It’s particularly rewarding to receive this award from a room filled with the leaders of
the BC agricultural industry, as I have always written for agriculture as much as about agriculture,” said Schmidt, while accepting the award. The Outstanding Teacher
award, presented by BC Agriculture in the Classroom, recognized Tania Toth from Sardis Secondary School Farm for her work establishing the program and creating learning opportunities for students. At the Sardis Secondary
School Farm, students learn to grow a variety of vegetables sustainably. They learn water conservation and integrated pest management practices, as well as the marketing of their vegetables back into the school’s Culinary Arts program and into the local community through their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box program. “Tania’s hard work as an
agriculture teacher has fostered a love for growing food in hundreds of students in Chilliwack,” said BCAITC president Joe Massie. “Her commitment to excellence and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty is truly inspirational to everyone around her.” The BC Agriculture Council
presented a Special Recognition in Agriculture Leadership award to Kevin Boon, general manager of the BC Cattlemen’s Assocation, recognizing his leadership during the 2017 wildfires. Boon became the face and
voice of BC ranchers affected by the 2017 Wildfires, working relentlessly to make sure that ranchers’ whereabouts were
Attract Pollinators to Your Farm
Former BC Ag Council chair Rhonda Driediger, far left, and BC Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham, second from right, congratulate a deserving cast of champions at the BC Agriculture Gala in January: BC Cattlemen’s manager Kevin Boon, teacher Tania Toth, another former BCAC chair Garnett Etsell and Country Life in BC’s David Schmidt. CATHY GLOVER PHOTO
known, co-ordinating with emergency response agencies, and going entirely beyond the call of duty both during the fires and in the efforts to rebuild afterwards. He was obviously surprised
by the award and made a heartfelt and humble acceptance speech that recognized and celebrated the contributions of everyone on the team that worked with him at the BC Cattlemen’s Association. Garnet Etsell received the nod this year for the BC Agriculture Council’s
Excellence in Agriculture Leadership award. Etsell first became involved in agriculture leadership with the BC Turkey Association in 1995 and joined the board of the BCAC in 2002. Following the Avian Influenza outbreak in 2004, Etsell stepped up his involvement on that nation stage through the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. In addition to his
organizational leadership roles, Etsell played a significant role in the development of the poultry risk management strategy. He
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was also instrumental in changes to the property farm tax legislation review that stopped the assessment of farm buildings as residential property. “It’s always nice to be
recognized,” says Etsell, who offered the following advice. “For my peers, be willing to encourage the next generation to get involved and take over. For the younger generation, get involved.” This year the silent auction raised $9,471 to support the work of BC Agriculture in the Classroom.
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Learn more and register at
ufv.ca/ace/events-and-activities Questions? contact
ace@ufv.ca or 604.504.7441 ext 4454
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