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Dear members and organic supporters,

COABC is now officially Organic BC! I want to recognize our amazing rebranding committee, and all the staff, members and other volunteers, whose creativity and vision supported the development of Organic BC. I hope you’ve had a chance to look at the new website and organic directory that showcases Organic BC operators. The directory is updated in real time via our online certification system, iCertify.

Looking ahead, there are some exciting projects on the horizon. The 2022 BC Organic Conference will be a hybrid model as we plan for an in-person event alongside another excellent podcast series. We’re also planning an Organic Week campaign and will be reaching out to engage you!

And, with fires raging across the province (along with all the other obstacles farmers are facing), I recognize more than ever how important this work is! I’ve been connecting with farmers directly and meeting with certification body administrators to learn how we can better support you. There is always room for improvement as we grow and adapt, and we encourage you to get in touch with us at any time.

Eva-Lena Lang, Executive Director

Introducing Organic BC: Cultivate Something Good

We are excited to share that COABC is now officially Organic BC!

Organic BC is growing the organic movement in British Columbia from the ground up. Our grassroots network of organic certifiers, farmers, processors, and consumers is working to build healthy soil, ecosystems, people, and communities. Together, we’re raising the standards for organic agriculture and transforming agriculture’s impact on the planet.

How to get involved:
  • Check out our new website: organicbc.org
  • Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (@thisisorganicbc)
  • Read our official press release with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
  • Get involved with the This is Organic BC campaign on social media
    • Spread the word by posting content from our shareable content folder
    • Create your own posts by sharing your own photos and videos that highlight what organic means or looks like to you. Be sure to tag @thisisorganicbc and hashtag #thisisorganicbc!
We thank everyone for their support as we continue to celebrate, champion and advocate for a resilient organic sector in British Columbia.

Funding for Organic BC’s website and on-line tools has been provided by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Read our media release

How Have You Been Impacted?

Has your organic operation been affected by fires, heat wave, drought or other challenges? We want to hear how the season is going! Please get in touch with us with the details.
Contact us

Health Canada Glyphosate Public Consultation - Deadline Extended

Great news: Due to the overwhelming response, Health Canada has extended the deadline for the glyphosate public consultation to September 3rd! That means you have extra time to gather your thoughts, check out the facts and stand up for organic integrity and human/environmental health.⁣

In case you're not sure what we're talking about, Health Canada wants to increase glyphosate in food. Yes, in organic food too!

Check out our blog for more details on the proposal and how to participate in the consultation.
Learn more

Litefarm x Organic BC

Have you checked out LiteFarm, the free and open source farm management tool from the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm? We've collaborated with UBC Farm to include functionality for organic certification!

The next release is coming up in September and will include the full functionality for organic certification. Not only will users be able to export their farm map, Record D, Record I, and compliance documentation, they can also invite their inspector onto the app in order to perform detailed volume and traceback audits right in the system and look up compliance documentation.

Check out details on the most recent June 2021 release below, and stay tuned for more!
Learn more

Consultation on Changes to US Canada Organic Equivalency

The Canada Organic Trade Association is hosting an information session to inform Canadian stakeholders on changes to the US Canada Organic Equivalency arrangement. The changes related to multi-ingredient products produced in countries outside of the USA or Canada (referred to as "third country"). Details and registration here.

NFU Media Release


Canadian Farms Hammered by Heat and Drought; Climate Change Will Make Such Events More Frequent and Damaging, a media release from the National Farmers Union, explains how Canadian farms are faring in the hot and dry conditions, and how action is needed to prevent this situation from becoming more common and more intense.

Nominations Open for Excellence in Agriculture Leadership Award

Do you know of a farmer, rancher, or someone representing a farm organization who successfully advances leadership in agriculture and/or the future of agriculture in BC? BCAC is now accepting nominations for their annual award for Excellence in Agriculture Leadership. Last year, the award went to a member of the organic community: Carmen Wakeling of Eatmore Sprouts & Greens!

Small-Scale Meat Producers Association Survey

The SSMPA is pleased to announce the launch of a comprehensive survey of small to medium-scale meat producers in BC. The survey will help fill an information gap, quantifying the number of small to medium producers, their impact on the local economy, and both the opportunities and the barriers they face. Take the survey here.

BC Egg New Producer Program Draw Announced
 

BC Egg has launched the 2021 New Producer Program, which provides the opportunity for two new producers to receive allocations of up to 3,000 units of layer quota. Participation for the draw will be restricted to those applicants who are current, active Small Lot Permit Holders from any region in BC excluding the Lower Mainland.

Join the Agroclimate Impact Reporter Network

Did you know Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) relies on its network of Agroclimate Impact Reporter (AIR) volunteers to provide information regarding agroclimate impacts across the country? The network provides valuable and reliable data that are mapped and used in the assessment and development of policies and programs. Learn more about the program and how to join here.

Provincial Nutrient Management Resources

The BC Government recently released a Nutrient Management page to help users access the latest information and tools, including:
  • Soil sampling and analysis guidelines
  • Nutrient Management Calculator
  • BC Application Risk Management (ARM) Tool
  • Manure Nutrient Calculator

Canada's Food Waste Reduction Challenge

Do you have an idea for a novel technology that can extend the life of food or transform food waste into new products? Canada's Food Waste Reduction Challenge is accepting applications for funding to develop and advance the best and most innovative solutions using novel technologies. Deadline to apply is August 31, 2021.

Youth Employment and Skills Program

The federal Youth Employment and Skills Program provides a wage subsidy to employers who hire youth for agricultural jobs. The program offers support for 50% of wages to a maximum of $14,000. Employers can apply on or after May 5, 2021 for their project to be considered, and projects may start retroactively as early as April 15, 2021.
A huge round of congratulations to Hans Buchler on being named the 2020 Viticulturist of the Year by the British Columbia Grapegrowers' Association! Hans has operated Park Hill Vineyard, a certified organic vineyard in a small valley north of Oliver, for nearly 40 years. All of the grapes produced at Park Hill are sold to Summerhill Pyramid Winery, an award-winning Kelowna winery that produces more than 40 varieties of organic wine. Read the article.
As the hot, dry weather persists, several organic farms in the Pemberton area reflected on the impacts of record-breaking temperatures on their crops, infrastructure and bottom line. Read the article here.

2021 Organic Week

Sept. 13 - 19, 2021 | Online

The largest annual celebration of organic food, farming and products across the country. Organic BC will be holding a couple of special Organic Week events—
details TBA! Learn more.

 
How Nature Based Solutions Restore Balance

July 29, 2021 | Online

The first episode in a two part miniseries on climate change. Part of the Farm to Globe: Transforming our Food Systems webinar series. Learn more.
View all events
          
          
Have some news to share? Get in touch with Stacey at: communications@organicbc.org
Feature photo credit: UBC Farm
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