10


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • MARCH 2019 Traceability funding available for producers


Producers can now tap into funding for initiatives to improve traceability of food items from farm to fork. Global accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers


Ag Briefs EDITED BY PETER


MITHAM


(PwC) is administering the funding, which is being awarded on a first-come, first- served basis. The program covers 70% of the costs businesses engaged in agriculture and aquaculture production and processing incur to meet new federal traceability requirements. Single businesses are eligible for up to $16,000 in each of the two years of the program, while groups of two or more businesses along a single, “value chain” are eligible for up to $50,000 a year. The funding is part of a $74


million federal initiative, though the exact amount of funding for traceability initiatives in BC has not been broken out. The program’s funding was announced January 19, setting the stage for PwC to receive applications.


Program representatives at


the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford in late January were keen to stoke interest, as there was a brief window of opportunity for the first year of the two-year program. Claims were due by February 28, with projects having to be completed by the end of March. The second year of the program runs from April 2019 to March 2020, with


claims due by February 28, 2020. Traceability projects


covered by the funding include those that could help reduce response times in the event of a food recall or other emergency. A provincial release announcing the first intake for projects highlighted the benefits to consumers of knowing how apples and steaks made it into their shopping cart, but the new regulations expected later this year will have a big impact for livestock producers. The program also includes funding to update livestock tag readers (70% of update costs, up to $3,500), as well as for educational initiatives on the importance of traceability programs.


—Peter Mitham


Cattlemen’s launches


webinar series


BC Cattlemen's Association hosted an online mental health webinar at the end of January, the first in a series of six “Coffee Shop Talks.” The format was a free-


flowing Q&A between Robin Collins, a registered clinical counsellor based in Kamloops and Reg Steward, provincial ranching safety consultant with AgSafe BC. The pair discussed topics like stress, how family members can spot signs of trouble, establishing realistic expectations and seeking support. Steward said being in


charge of their own lives can be a gift and a curse for producers. “In agriculture, the work is


never done,” he said, advising them: “Be disciplined about time, set time goals like shutting down at 5:30 and making time to relax and not feel guilty about it.”


The series is funded in part


by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the province through the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC


and BC Cattlemen's Association.


Upcoming topics include succession planning, employee management and retention, mentorship and financial management. The webinars will also be


available online at [www.cattlemen.bc.ca]. —Myrna Stark Leader


Grant winner


announced Sue Hughes of Sunrise


Cottage Farm in Metchosin has received the second annual Mary Forstbauer grant from the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets.


Hughes was chosen from among 40 applicants, twice as many as applied last year. Applicants must have a


practical project in mind for their farm, sell at a BCAFM member market and, ideally, incorporate a social impact into the project. The grant totals $500. BCAFM executive director Heather O’Hara created a short list and together with the Forstbauer family chose the top three projects. O’Hara selected the winner. Hughes plans for a more


accessible washing and packing table that will allow seniors and kids to help at the farm.


“I was thinking, if I’m going


to make this washing station, I might as well incorporate those things into it so that it would be helpful for the rest of the community to come and have that experience and for me to have a bit of help,” notes Hughes. “If I could expand my project to include the community a little more, that would be good for all of us, I thought. That’s why I applied for the grant.” O’Hara sees the project as one that embodies Mary’s will and spirit. “It was that really strong combination,” she says. “Having it be designed in a more inclusive way that would include children and seniors – to me that was a win-win.” Next steps for Hughes include talking to the local seniors’ resource centre and fellow farmers to improve her design.


Hughes’ award will be


formally announced at the BCAFM’s 20th annual conference March 8 to 10 in Kimberley. The theme of the conference is Cultivating Community.


—Ronda Payne


Saturday March 23 10am- 3pm EFRESHMENTS


GIVE GIVE


339 Sum handlersequl


Swag Swag Bagsag Bags given to the f st 50 ags given t Swag Bags giv nventoot efrrst50gues s


hand ersequipmentipment com Call 604 84.850.3601 the fiirsstt 50 gu sts!


SumasWay 50 guessttts!


EAWAYS & GR BBQ - REFR


BBQ - REFRESHMENTTTSENT EAWAYS & GREAT


BBQ REFR S EA


BBQ Way Abbots EN S REAT DEALS AT DEAL


ay, Abbots ordsfford, BCd, B t..com Call 604.850.3601


NTS LS


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52