MARCH 2020 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC


Broader mandate boosts hort membership Dairy presentations at Pacific Ag Show attract visitors from across Western Canada


by DAVID SCHMIDT ABBOTSFORD – Membership


in the Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association, the coordinating body behind the horticulture short course at the Pacific Agriculture Show, increased 10% last year. Two reasons explain the


increased membership. First, LMHIA changed its constitution last year to admit commodity associations as members. The change was necessary to meet Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada requirements regarding berry industry funding, which LMHIA now coordinates. The federal-provincial


Canadian Agricultural Partnership provided just over $1 million in funding for berry breeding and other berry research programs in 2019, almost double the amount received in 2018. Improved timing meant the funding and projects matched last year, resulting in a break-even year for the association. The second reason for higher membership was


Cannatech West, the new event devoted to cannabis production that runs alongside the PAS. Registrants for both the short course and Cannatech automatically become members of LMHIA.


attracting just under 1,000 registrants. New this year was a well-attended mushroom session focused on specialty and wild mushrooms. Dunn also complimented the farm business management session and the direct farm marketing session, which she called “one of the best ever.”


Dairy expo Almost twice as many dairy


industry personnel attended the Thursday morning Dairy Expo as attended the previous year. A total of 147 attendees included many from the Prairie provinces. Although the number of


The Pacific Agriculture Show saw some 8,500 patrons pass through its turnstiles at the Abbotsford Tradex, January 30-February1. MYRNA STARK LEADER PHOTO


This year’s second-annual Cannatech show


attracted 131 producers and other cannabis industry people. LMHIA manager Sandy Dunn was pleased to see so many producers at the show, noting Cannatech’s focus “will always be on the crop production/science side of cannabis.” The short course was also a huge success,


registrants for both the horticultural short course and Dairy Expo increased, walk-in traffic decreased. Despite torrential downpours, this year’s show still brought in more than 8,500 people, most taking full advantage of the opportunity to hobnob with friends and associates as they toured hundreds of equipment and service business exhibits.


LMHIA members were clearly satisfied with the state of affairs, re-electing all six incumbent directors by acclamation. Returning for new three- year terms are Jordan Alamwala (raspberries), Jeff Husband (strawberries), Heather Meberg (agri- business), Kerry Seale (blueberries), Andrew Vogler (organics) and Bruce Wisbey (vegetables).


15


Friday 4PM Indoors


Offering the farming community an excellent opportunity to sell one or two items, or even a small dispersal. Contact


Gary Baars 1.888.802.3269 or Johnny Guliker 604.798.0033 email: tnthaysales@gmail.com


Saturday 9AM Outdoors Register for Online Bidding


Beer Garden & Food Truck On Site


TRACTORS | ALL TYPES OF FARM EQUIPMENT | FARM TRUCKS| RVS| ATVS| BOATS


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