2021 BC Organic Conference and AGM
A huge thanks to the many, many folks who hopped online for the 2021 BC Organic Conference last month! We say this a lot, but we're truly lucky to be part of such an engaged, passionate and knowledgeable community.
Looking ahead, we encourage you all to maintain this connection to the organic community. There is so much we can accomplish together!
Keep reading for some highlights from the conference, and stay tuned for a full recap of the event in the Spring 2021 issue of the BC Organic Grower, which will hit mailboxes in mid-April.
Introducing the 2021 COABC Executive and Board of Directors
We're pleased to announce our new executive and board of directors, voted in at our AGM on March 18. Get all the details on our website.
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2021 COABC Award winners
Please join us in congratulating our 2021 COABC Award winners, Mary Alice Johnson, Rod Reid and Arzeena Hamir! Head over to our blog to learn more about the winners and why they're so incredibly deserving of their awards.
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BC Organic Conference Keynote video
At the 2021 BC Organic Conference last month, we welcomed Darrin Qualman, Director of Climate Crisis Policy & Action at the National Farmers Union, as our Keynote Speaker. Darrin spoke about emission problems and organic agriculture solutions, and wrapped up with a Q&A session with conference attendees.
In case you missed it, or want to relive the conference magic, you can watch Darrin's presentation on our YouTube channel!
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Take the Canadian Organic Sector Survey
What do you believe are the greatest market access and marketing challenges for organic? Share your thoughts by taking the Canadian Organic Sector Survey, a collaboration between Canadian Organic Growers, the Canada Organic Trade Association, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, and Organic Federation of Canada.
All stakeholders are invited to participate: producers (organic, transitioning, and non-organic), manufacturers, importers, exporters, retailers, consumers, not-for-profits, certification bodies and government.
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Don't miss out on the Organic Conversion Support Program
Are you transitioning to organic or increasing your organic acreage? Need a leg up? The Organic Conversion Support Program still has some funding subsidies available!
The program, hosted by the Canada Organic Trade Association, reimburses producers for their paid certification costs up to a maximum of $1000.
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Share your story on We Heart Local BC!
We Heart Local BC is a consumer facing program run by the BC Agriculture Council. One of the primary goals of We Heart Local BC is to engage with BC residents to share stories of real farmers and ranchers and information about local agri-food products. Last year they reached over 531,000 people on social media and had over 30,000 new visitors to our website.
We Heart Local BC needs more farmer stories! The process is simple: the farmer fills out a question template and provides a high resolution photo, then We Heart Local BC drafts a profile which is approved by the farmer prior to posting on https://www.weheartlocalbc.ca/explore-farmers.
If you are interested in having your farm/ranch profiled please send an email to Becky Parker, Manager of Community Engagement: bparker@bcac.ca.
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Welcome back Kristy!
We're excited to welcome Kristy Kruschel back to the COABC office. Kristy returned from maternity leave at the beginning of March and is now the COABC's part-time office administrator.
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Spring 2021 issue of Organic Science Canada magazine
The Organic Federation of Canada, in partnership with the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, is proud to present the latest edition of the Organic Science Canada magazine!
This issue has a focus on pest management strategies in organic production systems, from biocontrol agents to using plant-based pesticides. Also included are articles on the global greenhouse gas emissions in organic cropping systems and a spotlight on the work of Dr. Martine Dorais, presenting her research on the management of organic greenhouse systems.
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Applications are now open for Buy BC cost-shared funding! Through this provincial program, you could receive cost-shared funding to enhance local marketing efforts to increase your sales of BC food and beverage products within the province. Applications are being accepted until April 7, 2021, with successful projects starting on June 1, 2021. More details.
Looking for the latest COVID-19 funding opportunities and supports? Be sure to check out our COVID-19 resources page.
Have you heard about the work being done to create an Okanagan Food Hub? The District of Summerland, along with several regional partners, is finalizing a business plan for a regional food hub that will have a food safe shared-use commercial kitchen and processing equipment to help businesses create and innovate new products. Want to learn more? Contact Keaton Marchildon at keaton.97@hotmail.com or 778-392-6589.
BC seed producers may soon be able to access new seed processing equipment in up to a dozen BC Food Hub Network facilities! Read more.
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of $185 million over the next 10 years for the new Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) program. Read the release.
Here's a look at how the resurgence of small seed growers in the province will help bolster food security and resilience as BC faces climate change and other disruptions for years to come.
Some good news from across the pond: The European Commission is expanding financial and policy support to help make 1/4 of Europe's farmland organic by 2030! IFOAM called the EU plan a "new era for the transformation of our food systems." Read more.
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Fossil-Fuel-Free Farming? Solar Power, Electric Tractors, and the Future.
When: Apr. 8, 2021
Where: Online
Join the National Farmers Union for an NFUniversity Class and take a deep dive into fossil-fuel-free farming. More details.
Maximizing Carbon Sequestration in Organic Systems
When: Apr. 16, 2021
Where: Online
Join The Organic Center to learn more from Robert Crystal-Ornelas, PhD, co-author of a recently-published paper that looks within organic management and builds on The Organic Center’s continued delivery on GRO Organic’s climate change and soil health portfolio. More details.
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Take Nature as the Measure: The Search for Sustainability
When: Apr. 21, 2021
Where: Online
The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm presents a conversation between Wes Jackson, one of the founders of the sustainable agriculture movement, author Robert Jensen, as well as UBC professors Ramana and Hannah Wittman. Part of the Climate Justice Webinar Series. More details.
Organic Celebration & Leadership Awards 2021
When: May 5, 2021
Where: Online
Celebrate the achievements of the organic sector! The Canada Organic Trade Association is now accepting nominations. More details.
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COR operators are fortunate to be able to use the Canada Organic label AND the BC Checkmark side by side.
The logo of the BC Certified Organic program is a key tool to identify certified organic products in BC. It is important that the symbol is used correctly; here is a quick reminder, especially for websites and the exclusion zone (white space).
The Program Symbol is enclosed by a black border. The border ensures that the appropriate white space or exclusion zone is provided around the composite mark. The Program Symbol must be enclosed by the border if the Symbol is applied against colored or complex backgrounds. However, if the background is white or off-white, it may be desirable to omit the border while ensuring the appropriate exclusion zone.
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Complaints Submissions
For information on complaints regarding the COABC, a Certification Body, or an operator certified under an accredited Certification Body, click here.
If you've discovered a person or company who is falsely marketing their products as organic in British Columbia, click here for information.
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Planning a Move?
If you change your address or contact information, send it to your CB office as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on receiving the BC Organic Grower and other materials.
Organic Price List
View the Organic Price List, updated weekly, here.
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Thanks to UBC Farm for this month's feature photo!
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