12 CORE review


consultant to the sector and president of the Canadian Organic Growers, told the association’s business meeting that COABC membership isn’t growing at the same pace as the rest of the organic sector in BC. She feels it needs to reinvigorate its position in the public square, an element of the five-year strategic plan COABC adopted last year. The core review will assist it in meeting those objectives Raising the public profile of


COABC and the organic sector through greater use of the association’s checkmark logo is something COABC president Carmen Wakeling would like to see.


The logo has accumulated


a degree of brand equity that risks being lost if producers don’t exercise it. It provides consumers with a recognizable brand for locally grown organic produce, something Wakeling said supports consumers’ desire to support local growers. “If we can’t provide that, somebody else will,” she said. But as farms grow larger,


HOPPING TO IT: Congratulations to the Vanderlinde family of Saar Bank Hops on Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford, winners of the Lupulin Cup from the BC Hop Growers Association for the best Cascade hop, as voted by members of the BC Craft Brewers Guild. Judging is done blind, and based on appearance, texture and aroma. The friendly competition launched in 2017 and aims to build a relationship between BC hop growers and brewers. SUBMITTED PHOTO


not everyone can use the logo. Corry Spitters of Oranya


Farms in Abbotsford, the province’s largest organic chicken farm, uses the checkmark on his business card. But his meat can’t carry


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • APRIL 2019 nfrom page 11


the logo because it’s packaged under the Kirkland brand in a facility not certified through COABC certification bodies. Such situations are


prompting COABC to consider licensing the logo to non- COABC members to identify BC-grown organic products. The idea isn’t popular with everyone, but many endorsed the need to build relationships with other organizations. “The foundation of it is


relationships, and communication,” said Michelle Tsutsumi, who facilitated the round-table discussion. She encouraged more outreach and connections with farmers and the public, and greater engagement with the world beyond the organic sector. “It’s absolutely essential,”


Wakeling said “We’re scary to the world, I think, sometimes.” She added that growth,


even turning a profit, shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing. “It’s okay to make money,”


Wakeling told members. “It’s really important for you to celebrate it.”


She encouraged growers to see the potential to use money for good, rather than act like it’s a bad thing. “Make sure your company’s


making money, make sure you’re paying yourself, and give back,” she said.


AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CODE OF PRACTICE (AEMCoP)


On February 28, 2019, the Code of Practice for Agricultural Environmental Management replaced the Agricultural Waste Control Regulation (AWCR). A number of the requirements, such as nutrient management plans, will be phased- in over the next ten years.


There are new tools already developed to support implementation with more to come. Please ensure to keep your eyes and ears open for any updates on tips and tools available to you through emails, websites, regional info sessions, industry events, and more.


IT CAN’T BE DONE WITHOUT YOU!


Government staff recognize that every property is unique and therefore, need the help from B.C.’s farmers and ranchers to figure out what works best for each situation. The goal is to support the farms and ranchers in B.C. and those working within it so that, together, we can better protect the environment.


BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) has partnered with the Province of BC to assist communicating the key changes related to AEMCoP. Please look for this ad in the coming issues of Country Life in BC for updates


FOR MORE INFORMATION: gov.bc.ca/Agricultural-Environmental-Management


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