Vol. 8, No. 4 Winter 2005-2006 · Organic Chicken Compost Organic Chicken and Pig Compost Custom...

Vol. 8, No. 4 Winter 2005-2006

President’s Message

Seminars, Awards, Projects

Standards Changes – foryour Feedback

Standards Review Update

Harvest Awards for OrganicProducers

Feathers of Mass Destruction

Weeds Teach Students

COABC 3402 32nd Ave. Vernon BC V1T 2N1GE Moth Program Halted

Spring Cleaning

Leafhopper Control inOrganic Vineyards

BC Commercial Seed Growers

Seeds for the Future

Letters

AGM & ConferenceRegistration Forms & Info

Cincott Farms:Organic Harvest Award Winner

Happy New Year!

It’s hard to believe another year has come andgone. Perhaps it’s even time for vacation, oryou’ve just returned. I am sure that most if notall of you have your seed orders in, and are inthe process of developing or expanding on yourmarketing plan for 2006.

In 2006, I celebrate my 20th year with WildWest - hard to believe. Then again I know manyof you have been working on your farms awhole lot longer than 20 years. George & Anna,Martin, dear Sophie, Ron & Andrea, Billy,Elam, Mary & Hans, Gary and Naty - just toname a few, the rest of you know who you are.

2005 has been an eventful year for COABC,with the West Nile issue, Supply Management,and National Standards being focal points forthe Board. There are many people to thank fortheir efforts on behalf of COABC, and all organ-ic producers in the province.

Paddy Doherty hasbeen busy on theNational front writing—and re-writing, and re-writing—draftStandards, and steer-ing the OrganicRegulatory Committee,a job which hasrequired a high degreeof diplomacy. The ORCis a diverse group of people who are involved ina number of facets of the sector, including cer-tification, accreditation, and advocacy. The roleof the ORC is to work with the FederalGovernment to ensure that a regulation isdeveloped that is in keeping with international-ly recognised organic standards. We are fortu-nate to have Paddy in this position, which is aCOABC project under the OSDP funding withsupport from a range of organic businesses.Paddy has been able to bring COABC’s positionto the table and has all but assured that wewill be able to morph our current role ofProvincial Organic Accreditation Body to that ofa nationally recognised Accreditor. Paddy’swork on this project will continue through2006, as we transition into National Standards.The effect on our own Standard would appearto be minimal, as we will be able to certify toany standard higher than the National one;however, the pressure on our Standards ReviewCommittee should diminish as many issues wehave been wrestling with will be addressed atthe national level.

On the issue of West Nile, we became alarmedat the proposal to spray Malathion as a controlagainst the virus. A conference call took placein October involving a representative fromBCMAL and their liaison to the BC Center forDisease Control, to raise the concerns of theorganic sector. There was some discussion ofappropriate buffer zones, an idea which weeventually rejected as unworkable. The otherissue was compensation for farms which mighthave been contaminated; this, we agreed, is ahighly variable factor, and we came up with aplan wherein key operators in different sectors

Page 1 BC Organic Grower, Volume 8, Number 2, Summer 2005

President’s Message by Deb Foote

Certified Organic Composts for saleLangley, BC

Available on farm by appointment or delivered

Organic Chicken CompostOrganic Chicken and Pig CompostCustom Top Soil available

• bulk loads 30 yard or more $19.99 per yard + trucking• pick up from farm 24.99 per yard loaded• 2 yard load delivered in the lower mainland placedanywhere on your yard. $200.00

Also available for retail sales:Thomas Reid Farms certified organic chickenOlera Farms certified organic raspberries IQF Donnachaidh certified organic pork

Brad Reid 604-308-8200Fred Reid 604-309-6639

of organic agriculture including but not limited to eggs,grain, poultry, beef, vegetables, and tree fruits, would beasked to estimate appropriate compensation levels. Wealso recognised that scale was an issue and thus feed-back will be sought from operators of varying size. Whilethe only perfect solution would be that there never be aneed to spray Malathion - or any other broad-spectrumpest control - we feel that developing a standard for com-pensation will be our next best bet.

On the issue of Supply Management, the OSDP project(C-10) has wrapped up. In September The Farm IndustryReview Board presented COABC with a documentSpecialty Market and New Entrant Submissions - Policy,Analysis, Principles and Directions. The COABC marketingboard committee formulated and submitted our response.While we were generally pleased with the outcome, viewedas a “strong progressive stance,” there were a few weak-nesses that we pointed out to FIRB in the letter submit-ted. We have yet to see how the commodity boards willimplement the directives from FIRB, but are confidentthat as long as BCMAL is supportive of Organics in BCthere will be sufficient political will to ensure that thedirectives are upheld.

I want to take this opportunity to thank those of you whoattended and or sponsored the First Annual OrganicHarvest Awards. The event was a smashing success, asthose of you who attended can attest. Next year will beeven better. Watch the list serve or check the website andfuture issues of “The Grower” for updates as the year pro-gresses. I want to encourage you to enter the awards, toand attend the event. You won’t want to miss it. You canread more about the 2005 Awards in Kirsten’s report, andin the wrap-up.

A good portion of this issue of “The Grower” is dedicatedto the upcoming Conference and AGM. The Conferencewill be held the last weekend of February (24th to 26th) inAbbotsford. Do read further for all of the details. Thetheme of this year’s conference is “Growing the OrganicSector” – an appropriate and timely topic as we continueto observe important changes, particularly in theorganic markets. I look forward to seeing you there.

BC Organic Grower, Volume 8, Number 4, Winter 2005-2006

BC Organic Groweris received by all members of organi-zations belonging to the CertifiedOrganic Associations of BritishColumbia. BC Organic Grower ispublished quarterly by COABC.

We welcome letters to the Editor(500 words maximum) and articles(1000 words maximum). We reservethe right to edit for length.

Letters & submissions to:Cathleen Kneen, EditorS6 C27 RR#1Sorrento BC V0E 2W0phone/fax: [email protected]

Advertising (rates & copy) & non-member subscriptions ($20/yearplus $1.40 GST) to:COABC3402 32nd Ave.Vernon BC V1T 2N1phone: 250-260-4429fax: [email protected]

For general information or to contactyour local Certifying Body, call theoffice – or check our website:www.CertifiedOrganic.bc.ca

Cover Photo: Cincott Farm

Layout & Design: Rebecca [email protected]

Disclaimer:Products advertised in the BCOG arenot necessarily approved for use byorganic farmers/processors. Please con-sult the Materials List.

Next Issue Deadline:April 1, 2005

Canadian PublicationsMail Agreement#40047167

Is COABC doing what YOU want it to do?Come to the AGM and make sure.

Sunday, Feb. 26, 10:00 - 12:00Ag Rec Building, Abbotsford Exhibition Grounds

Hello Everyone, and Happy New Year! I hopeyou and your families find much love, luck andhappiness in 2006.

A highlight of 2005 was the first-ever annualBC Organic Harvest Awards, hosted by COABC.We were thrilled by the response to our event,and are already making plans for next year. Theevening was festive, and fun, and honouredsome really impressive farms and products (seepp. 8-9 for profiles of the award winners).

The event would not have been possible withoutthe tremendous support of our very generoussponsors, and we are grateful to all of them. Agreat many thanks also to our event co-ordina-tor, Lionel Wilson, the COABC staff (particularlyRob and Kristy) Deb and Paddy, and MaryForstbauer – these people pulled together,worked tirelessly and made the event a smashsuccess. I am really looking forward to nextyear. There will be some changes in the appli-

cation process and eventformat, so stay tuned, andmake sure your farm orproduct gets included inthe judging for the 2006event.

Of course we are now focused on our annualAGM and conference, February 24-26 inAbbotsford. Co-ordinator Michelle Boshard hassome very interesting programming and plansfor the event. See pages 28-31 for details.Please be sure to take advantage of the earlybird registration, for our sake as well as yourown – it is always helpful to have the numbersas early as possible to facilitate planning.

Production SeminarsRochelle Eisen is now at work on the RegionalProduction Seminars series; these OrganicSector Development Program funded ‘farmer-friendly’ seminars will be coming to your regionthis spring. Stay connected with your CB orcontact the COABC office for details.

In an earlier issue, I mentioned that BCMALand COABC were hoping to work together onanother series of seminars, ‘Organics 101’ atthe Pacific Agriculture Show and LMHIAHorticulture Shortcourse in Abbotsford. I ampleased to report that this project is a go; therewill be 3 seminars (Blueberry, Potato and MixedVegetable, and Certification) aimed at non-organic producers attending the Shortcourse.COABC has a booth at the Ag Show this year,and I will be there to staff it. As well, SusanSmith of BCMAL and I will be making a presen-tation to attendees on the BCMAL-COABC part-nership. Details of projects we are working onat present will be the focus of the seminar. Weare fortunate to have such great support in theMinistry, and I am gratified by BCMAL’s com-mitment to the Organic Sector. At presentBCMAL is putting together an overview of theBC Organic Sector, and is working with a groupfrom COABC to get an accurate picture. Thankyou to those from COABC who have volun-teered their time to assist with this project(Hermann Bruns, Rebecca Kneen, BenBrandsema, Deb Foote).


Seminars, Awards, Projects by Kirsten Kane

Comprehensive�educationin�organic�horticulture.

Certificate�programs,�workshops�and�seminars,�on-line�text�access�for�self�study.For�information�and�registration�please�visit�our�website�at:

www.gaiacollege.ca�

Speaking of projects for the sector, we are ten-tatively looking at an Organic Beef Seminar,most likely in Prince George in April. Plans arecurrently underway for this, and more detailswill be forthcoming.

OSDP Projects FundedThe Organic Sector Development Programreviewed 12 applications for funding in 2005,granting funds for six of those applications. Wehave approximately 18 months to spend thebalance of the trust, and are looking for pro-jects that will allow us to do just that. Eligibleprojects can come from just about any individ-ual or group so long as the project will (asmuch as possible) benefit the BC OrganicSector as a whole, can demonstrate industrysupport, and fits within the goals of the pro-gram outlined in the COABC Strategic Plan.The Strategic Plan may be accessed throughthe COABC website or office. The OSDP com-mittee would really like to be inundated withapplications in 2006 so if you have an idea fora project – maybe a certain pest problem couldturn itself into a research opportunity – pleasecontact me at the COABC office to discuss it.The next deadline for applications is March 23,2006. Information and applications may befound on the OSDP page: http://www.certi-fiedorganic.bc.ca/programs/osdp.htm

Please do not hesitate to contact me at theoffice if you have questions about any of theseprojects. I am looking forward to working withyour Board of Directors in the next year as weprepare to meet the challenges presented bythe phenomenal growth in the organic sector.And I look forward to seeing you all at theAGM in February.

Soil Health Assessment

Results from the OSDP-funded Soil Health Assessmentin Organic Farming Systems project are now availableon the COABC websitehttp://www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/programs/osdp.htm.You can find the complete final report, or its 9-pageexecutive summary to get you started, soil healthassessment recording forms used in the project, and a4-page technical bulletin at http://www.certifiedorgan-ic.bc.ca/programs/osdp/Summary.htm#soil.

The report appendices include a resource list as a start-ing point for other groups seeking information todevelop their collaborative, bioregionally-adapted soilhealth assessment strategies. The resource list includesinternet and hard copy resources for the following top-ics: local portals to soil resources on the internet, soilhealth assessment methods, equipment suppliers, labo-ratories, local soil information, sampling, findingresource people in British Columbia.

For hard copies of these materials(report, executive summary, techni-cal bulletin) please contact JuliaWagner at [email protected] . Youcan also contact Julia with questionsor to share your feedback, or dis-cuss possibilities for facilitating col-laborative learning networks aboutsoil health or other farming issues inyour region.


Ultra-Kelp (TM)

100% natural organic seaweed fertilizer & animal supplements.

Kelp meal, liquid concentrate, & water soluble extractOMRI Listed • We ship everywhere!

Toll free: 1-888-357-0011 local: (250)577-3779

fax: (250)577-3719

Flack’s Bakerview KelpProducts Inc. (est. 1985) Pritchard, B.C.

COABC Conference

Join these sponsors:

Beland Organic FoodsBradner FarmsCrannóg AlesGlen Valley Organic

FarmHills Foods Ltd

Lavendar HarvestMariposa Farm

Nature’s PathOntarBio

Pro OrganicsStellar Seeds

Show your support for BC Organics. Sponsor the ban-quet, speakers, or scholarships. Make a cash or in-kindcontribution. All donors and sponsors will receive a vari-ety of recognitions based on the value of their contribu-tions.For more info, or check out the COABC website or

Contact Michelle Boshard: ph. 604-755-4329or email [email protected]

New Standards Changes

Emergency Pest Treatment Standard

The standards review committee has developeda draft standard to address the emergencyapplication of pesticides through a governmentmandate. This draft is in its preliminary stagesand we welcome any inputfrom the membership particu-larly with respect to the timeframe in which the productmust be excluded from organicproduction as well as a timeframe with respect to egg pro-duction from affected poultry.

We propose that the standardbe placed in section 2, following2.13, which is the section on “Withdrawal ofCertification Status”, and before section 2.14(to become 2.15) which is “Use of the COABCName and Program Symbol”.

Draft Section 2.14: Emergency Pest or DiseaseTreatment9.1 When a prohibited substance is applied onan establishment or there is a chance that theprohibited substance applied on an adjacentproperty or road way may have drifted onto theestablishment because of a federal or provincialemergency pest or disease treatment programand when the establishment otherwise meetsthe requirements of this standard, the statusshall not be affected, provided the operatorcomplies with the following conditions:

immediately notifies her/his certification body, provid-ing information on the substance applied, method,rate and location of application;

any affected crop or plant part harvested within threemonths of the treatment shall not be sold, labelednor represented as organically produced, nor fed tolivestock, nor used as mulch on land under organicmanagement;

any livestock or poultry treated with a prohibited sub-stance applied as the result of a federal or provincialemergency pest or disease treatment program, or anyproducts derived from such treated livestock or poul-try, shall not be sold, labeled or represented asorganically produced with the exception of:

milk or milk products produced more than 12 months

after the last date that the dairy animal was treatedwith the prohibited substance;

the offspring of gestating mammalian breeder stocktreated with a prohibited substance shall be consid-ered organic, if the breeder stock was not in the lastthird of gestation on the date that the breeder stockwas treated with the prohibited substance.

Split Operations

While the SRC will not recommendthat whole farm certificationbecome mandatory, a change inthe current wording of the stan-dards is proposed to emphasizethe need for strict control and reg-ulation of split operations.

What is now section 3.3.3.1 dealswith split operations, and will be

moved from its current location to its own spot- Section 3.4.

New Wording: 3.4 Split Operation3.4.1 Recommended: Organic operators must,wherever possible enroll their whole farm in theorganic certification program.

3.4.2: “Regulated” Maintenance of a non-organ-ic management system (split operation) on afarm enrolled in an organic certification pro-gram may be allowed if adequate distinction isprovided. Approval of the certifying agencymust be obtained. The producer is required todemonstrate that appropriate soil buildingtechniques are used to maintain organic mattercontent and to reduce erosion of the soil on thenon-organic portion of the farm and that theonly inputs selected have the lowest possibleenvironmental impact. The producer will sub-mit input and production records for both por-tions of the farm to the certification body on ayearly basis.

3.4.3 “Prohibited”: with the text that is current-ly 3.3.4 about parallel production.

These standard changes will be ratified orrejected by the Board of Directors followingthe AGM, and if ratified will be integratedinto the new Standards effective Jan. 1,2007.


...For Your Feedback by the Standards Review Committee

Urgent Notice

Due to late publication ofboth the BCOG and this web-site, the SRC has extendedthe comment period for cur-rent standards changes toFebruary 13, 2006. Pleasecontact your SRC representa-tive with comments.

The SRC is currently working within the con-text of the upcoming Canadian NationalOrganic Standard, which limits our activities inthe interim. The revision of standards would nolonger be the realm of the Accrediting Bodyunder the new National Program. Therefore, thecommittee is focussed on completing the reviewof current proposals and finalizing some house-keeping while awaiting the final word on thestatus and implications for COABC of theNational Standards.

Body Care Standards & Land Care StandardsThese standards cannot be adopted under thecurrent Agri-Food Act which governs COABC.The COABC Board must request that the Actbe changed to include non-food products beforethese Standards can be ratified.

Aquaculture StandardsThere has been an ongoing consultation withthe Aquaculture subcommittee and the propo-

nents of these standards. A set of standardswas created and underwent a review processwhere the government made some changes.Please communicate with your Board ofDirectors representative for an update on thisStandard.

Mineral OilThe submission was to include petroleum-based mineral oil as allowed as a feed supple-ment. This proposal has been rejected.

PropagationThe SRC recommended a re-write of the sectionon use of organic seed and transplants. Thisrecommendation was rejected by the Board ofDirectors.

ManureThe proposal was to allow only the use of certi-fied organic manure. This proposal wasrejected by the SRC.


In-Season Farms Ltd.At In-Season Farms, organic integrity and quality are the factors driving our

business. We deal only in Organic products.

• Poultry• Livestock • Swine • Custom

rations

Also availableat Otter CoopFeed Dealers

(604) 857-5781Fax: (604) 857-1689

Email: [email protected] Huntingdon Rd. V4X-1B6

Abbotsford B.C.

• BCARAcertified

• Certified organicfeed producer since 1993

• Pick-up,Delivery

• Bags, Mini-bulk or Bulk

Certified Organic

Feeds

Standards Review Committee Update

The first annual BC Organic Harvest Awards,the only event that officially recognizes the growthand accomplishment of the province’s organic sec-tor, was a triumphant success. The event, whichtook place at the Coast Plaza Hotel in Vancouveron November 5, 2005 was a lively celebration thatbrought together the BC organic community andrecognized organic leadership and innovation.

Best Bakery Product – Nature’s PathFoods for Carrot Raisin Manna Bread

This is a very pure, tasty and unique sproutedbread made without flour, yeast, sugar or salt.

Nature’s Path’s state-of-the-art plant was thefirst cereal and bakery in Canada or North

America to receive third-party certified organicprocessor status.

and Artisan Bake Shoppe for AncientGrains Bread (tie)

The Bread is wheat free (made out of kamut,spelt, and a rye starter), and yeast free. Weuse 100% organic flour, grains, and seed in

all our products.

Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage – HappyPlanet for Organic Happiest Orange

Juice

Commitment to supporting sustainable agri-culture; three flavours of great tasting

organic juices; leader in family-size organicjuices with new 1.89 L format.

and Ethical Bean for organic coffee (tie)

Freshness, Attention to Detail, Quality Control

Best Processed (non-livestock) Product –Kootenay Kitchen for Vege Pate

84% certified organic ingredients/handmadein BC. Vege Pate is a gourmet, certified

vegan/specialty non gluten, highly nutritious,delicious, versatile, ready to eat food.

Best Direct Farm Marketing Business –Cincott Nursery and Market Garden

In an area where organics is not easily recog-nized, we have managed to expand our busi-

ness to start competing with some of the largersuppliers out of the major centers such asCalgary. Local chefs are actually designingmenus around what we grow. We currently

supply to eight restaurants, three caterers, anda regular client base of

sixty plus customers. Wemanage to do this is in

an area where we averageonly 93 frost free days.


Awards for Organic Producers Organic Harvest Awards

h

Best Integrated-Farm System – AlderleaBiodynamic Farm

13 acre, Demeter certified farm with balancebetween crops, orchard, pasture, woods, andlivestock, mountain beauty and aesthetics,while striving to be economical and ecological.


Best Dairy Producer – AvalonDairy/Bradner Farms

Certified organic since 1998. Started with 20cows, now milking 500. We are the 1st to pro-duce C.O. Fluid Milk in Western Canada. Weexperiment with homeopathic treatments anddocument all achievements—we also have an

organic inspector on staff.

Best Livestock Producer– Bradner Farms

We are proudof ourachievements,the health ofour flocksand the pro-duction levels

which we maintain. All organic feed is producedin our own certified organic feed mill. Eggs aredistributed to Avalon Dairy, Golden Valley,Choices and Wingtat.

Best Processed Meat Product – OrganaFarms for Smoked Turkey Bacon

Since 1999 we have helped to educate the con-sumer about Certified Organic by attendingFarmers Markets, advertising in magazines,speaking on the radio, on our website plusdaily telephone calls to people wanting certifiedorganic products, what to look for and how wecan deliver them our products.

Best Retailer – Salt Spring Natureworks

Actively promote local farms and producers;Create a beautiful abundant community shop

that encourages people to buy seasonalorganic produce; Expanded our freshproduce offering resulting in an 85%increase over last year.

Best Home-Delivery System (non-farm) – Small Potatoes UrbanDelivery (S.P.U.D.)

Small Potatoes Urban Delivery (SPUD)was started in 1997, by David Van

Seters. Percentage of certified organicproducts that are BC certified: 49%;Percentage of produce sold by SPUDthat is certified organic: 100%; Annualamount contributed to communitygroups since 2003 (cash and in-kindcontributions): over $50,000; Number oflocal organic growers that SPUD is pur-

chasing from in 2005: Over 70.

Best Alcoholic Beverage – Crannóg Alesfor Backhand of God Stout

The Backhand of God Stout has won fourregional awards in the last five years, winningover both organic and non-organic beverages.This beer is a fitting match for the excitingflavours and high quality of BC organic food,and meets the needs of organic producers andconsumers alike for high quality, flavourful andsophisticated beverages. This beer providesinspiration and fortification to farmers allover the province.

Previous Page, clockwise from top:Cincott Nursery, EthicalBean roaster, Artisan Bake Shoppe, Nature’s Path, Organa

Farms’ turkeys, Kootenay Kitchen receiving award.

This page, clockwise from top: Salt Spring NatureWorks dis-play, Happy Planet juice, Crannóg Ales’ being enjoyed, boxof groceries from SPUD, Alderlea Biodynamic Farm, Bradner

Farm (Avalon Dairy)

The outbreak of avian flu (H5N1 and variants)in Asia has infected 142 people to date, 74 ofwhom have died (out of a population of 1.3 bil-lion). So far there has been no reliable report oftransmission of the bird flu between humans;however, the possibility of the avian flu mergingwith a human virus and causing a ‘flu pandem-ic’ is being used to cause a panic across theglobe. As with any panic, the actions beingtaken don’t always add up to common sense.

For example: the version of the virus whichresides normally in wild birds does not appear tobe lethal, and the two ducks found in a haplesspoultry farmer’s barns in BC’s Fraser Valley lastmonth were also carrying a benign strain(though the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,CFIA, killed all the birds in both barns, just incase). Effective November 4, 2005, the provinceof Quebec has ordered that all domestic birdsmust be housed so as to ensure they have nocontact with wild birds – as if that were evenpossible without killing every wild bird! TheUnion Paysanne has demanded that the order bereversed, pointing out that the Minister ofAgriculture has stated that there is no danger tohuman health and these measures are aimedonly at protecting the export markets forQuebec’s poultry industry. The Soil Associationin the UK is calling for selective culls and vacci-nation. They state “This use of vaccination in theform of a ring-fence is a proven, effective toolthat should be used ahead of any moves to bringorganic and free-range poultry indoors through-out the country and to prevent the mass-slaugh-ter of UK poultry.” They add, “The SoilAssociation is against bringing birds inside.

Permanent indoor housing provides ideal condi-tions for spreading any disease (not just avianflu) and so requiring the use of in-feed antibi-otics - already linked to negative human healthimpacts. It would also be a huge backwards stepin the progress we have made in developing freerange and organic farms in this country and thegreat health and animal welfare benefits thatthese systems deliver.”

The real trick is to prevent the benign strain ofthe virus from becoming virulent. While wildbirds may be the carriers of avian flu, it is theconcentration of genetically uniform birds invery large numbers in an enclosed environmentwhich not only provides ideal conditions for thevirus to spread but, it seems, to be selectedinto a more virulent form. Reducing thechances of transmission (by disinfection, wear-ing protective clothing, etc.) may actuallyincrease the evolutionary pressure towardsgenotypes of the virus which are more virulent.Similarly, in Asia the close proximity of largenumbers of people and live birds (and pigs) inless than ideal sanitary conditions appears tohave been the source of the transmission of flufrom birds to humans.

On the other hand, insisting on housing allpoultry – in effect, legislating for the monocul-ture factory farm – will lead to a radical loss ofthe very biodiversity upon which such intensiveoperations depend to ‘improve’ their breedingstock, and which, ironically, is the best defenseagainst any disease becoming pandemic. As abasic preventive measure, we should also bedevoting energy and money to improving healthconditions in the Asian countries where thedisease has emerged.

Instead, the pandemic panic is creating a wind-fall for Roche, the company making the pre-scription antiviral drug Tamiflu, which is saidto be the most effective medicine to preventinfluenza or ameliorate the symptoms amongthose already infected. And it’s put at least $1million into the pocket of Donald Rumsfeld, theUS Defense Secretary and major shareholder inGilead Sciences, the company that holds thepatent on the drug.


Feathers of Mass Destruction by Cathleen Kneen

Specialty Turkey ManureOur birds are grown with...

All-vegetable ration grains

No animal by-products

No medications.

Please call Patrick at

Coppertone Farms Ltd. 604-852-4745


Check out our new website: www.jerseylandorganics.com

www.jerseylandorganics.com

The central goal of the UBC Farmhttp://www.landfood.ubc.ca/ubcfarm/ on theVancouver campus is to give students anopportunity to plan, manage and market theproduce from a diverse market garden enter-prise. The market garden produces over 250varieties of fresh vegetables, berries, herbs, andflowers. Most produce is sold through a week-end farmer market on site, but the farm alsosupplies several restaurants and UBC food ser-vices. The market garden aims to operate as afinancially self-sufficient business. With eachyear of operation, financial losses have becomesuccessively smaller, but the market gardenenterprise is not yet turning a profit.

Weed management consumes a staggering pro-portion of time and money in the market gar-den. During May and June, student field work-ers may spend up to 60% of their time hand-weeding. Over a growing season, we estimatethat up to 1,000 person-hours and 400 volun-teer hours may be spent hand-weeding the 1.5ha of mixed vegetable crops in the market gar-den. This means that for a small market gardenwith $50,000 gross income, about $13,000 isspent on weed control. This figure is almost 30times higher than might be predicted from theBC Ministry of Agriculture and Land’s enter-prise budgets for organic mixed vegetable pro-duction suggesting that we still have a lot tolearn

Although each organic system presents its ownunique set of challenges, many weed manage-ment issues faced by the market garden aresimilar to those confronted by other organicgrowers. In all cases, theintent of a successful weedmanagement strategy is notto eradicate weeds, but toencourage vigorous crops,and use weeds as indicatorsof soil and other environ-mental conditions. Organicweed management dependson good farming practices,which emphasize healthysoils and competitive crops.


We have tried increasing crop density toencourage denser crop stands and reduceresources available for weeds, and have foundthis impedes weed management. Similarly, nar-rower row widths which allow the crop canopyto fill in quickly need to be balanced with rowswide enough to allow inter-row cultivation. Wearen’t as able as prairie grain farmers to givecrops a competitive advantage by manipulatingplanting date, as most of our crops have severalplanting dates to ensure a continuous harvest;it may however be possible to identify specificweed problems and plan rotations and plantingdates taking this into consideration. Whileincreased crop diversity may add to the com-plexity of weed management, it helps to ensurethat a particular weed does not gain consistentadvantage.

Cover crops or mulches can be used to increaseplant cover and fill in canopy gaps, thus reduc-ing the weed niche, while incorporation of covercrops (green manuring) contributes to soilhealth, and fertility. The residues of some covercrops such as rye or buckwheat may have anallelopathic (inhibitory) effect on weeds, butalso subsequent crops; we can’t plant lettuce,for example, after rye. As for mulch, we havedeveloped a long list of pros and cons for bothkraft paper and black plastic.

Balanced soil fertility has an important role toplay in the management of weeds. We havelearned that excessive use of nitrogen-richmanures or composts can stimulate germina-tion of weed seeds and encourage nitrogen-lov-ing weeds to flourish. For example, redroot pig-

weed was previously scarce at theUBC farm but suspiciously appearedthis past summer in the chickencoop area. On the other hand, thecrop may suffer under conditions oflow soil fertility, while weeds thrive.

Prevention through scouting, goodsanitation, and controlling weedsbefore they are able to set seed isthe best medicine. This is particular-ly challenging as the time for opti-

Weeds Teach Students a Few Things by Nancy Furness,

with Mark Bomford, Greg Rekken and Art Bomke

Figure 1. Smartweed competing withpumpkin

mal weed control, when weeds are small, typi-cally occurs during the busiest part of the sea-son.

Failure to deal with weeds before they set seedwill lead to establishment of a large seed bank,giving rise to the old adage “one year’s seeding,seven years’ weeding “. With each successiveyear the problem can potentially increase. Evenafter many years out of cultivation, the UBCFarm is faced with an intense weed seed bank.At one point, a thick blanket of smartweed inthe pumpkin patch (Figure 1) made it difficultto find the pumpkins The number of seeds


Table 1. Seed production and longevity of somecommon weeds

(Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives)

Common weed Seeds per Seed longevityname plant (years)Canada thistle 680 3-21Lamb’s-quarters 72,450 2-39Curled dock 29,500 39Smartweed 3140 10-20Shepherd’s-purse 38,500 16Wild mustard 13,400 3-5

ClassifiedsFRASER COMMON FARM CO-OPERATIVE SEEK-ING NEW RESIDENTS Ten of us, aged six months toseventy one years, live in two households on a twen-ty acre Certified Organic farm in Aldergrove, anhour’s drive east of Vancouver. We are part of a thir-ty-year-old, rural-urban, intentional community affili-ated with Community Alternatives Housing Co-op inKitsilano. We live co-operatively, share meals, payhousing charges to the Co-op and practice consen-sus decision-making. We come from a diversity ofbackgrounds, make our livings on and off farm andsupport each other to be the best we can be.Together we steward the land, maintain the farmassets, and assure the farm’s financial viability. We arelooking for two more like-minded adults, preferablyfarmers, to join us. Mechanical/repair skills appreciat-ed. A family with one or two young children wouldbe especially welcome. For more information, pleasecontact David Catzel: phone 605-857-9057 or e-mail [email protected]

FARM EQUIPMENT WANTED 1) onion trans-planter, 3 rows, adjustable; 2 )vegetable seeder forcarrots, Stan-Haye or similar. We have onions /squash for wholesale. Please contact SimilkameenRiver Organic Farm at 250-499-5905

BIODYNAMIC SEEDS: vegetables , herbs, medicinalplants and flowers. Turtle Tree Seeds distributor inCanada. Contact us: Aux couleurs des saisons, 115Des Myriques, Ste-Catherine de Hatley, Quebec, J0B1W0, tel: 819-843-8488, email: [email protected]

GRASS FED BEEF & PASTURE PORK: humanehandled, grazed on healthy pastures. Custom graz-ing for 500 head on cert.org. pastures. Horsefly.ph.250-620-3353 www.bigbearranch.com

HOPS MANUAL & RHIZOMES Crannóg Ales needsorganic hops growers immediately. Manual $10,Rhizomes $5 each (bulk price available). CallRebecca at 250-675-4122 or www.crannogales.com.

produced per plant combined with seed longevi-ty of just a few of the weeds commonly found atthe UBC farm gives an indication of how quick-ly a massive weed seed bank can become estab-lished (Table 1).

Next season, the UBC farm is planning to test afew strategies not used in the past. Theseinclude pre-emergence (blind) cultivation inwhich shallow cultivation is carried out afterseeding, but before emergence, of the primarycrop. We will test a stale bed technique, inwhich the plots will be cultivated and irrigated,but not seeded; weeds which germinate andgrow will be flamed before the crop is sown.Extra effort will be put into mowing the fieldborders at early flowering stages for perennialweeds. Finally, weed management will be priori-tized based on economic thresholds, to ensureearly control in high-value crops and optimalscheduling and budgeting of resources.

We hope that our learning will be useful, notonly to UBC Farm in Vancouver, but to othermarket garden operations facing the challengeof weed control.


GE Moth Program Halted by Linda Edwards and Fred Danenhower

The Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release(OK-SIR)Program has been overseeing the oper-ation of orchard monitoring and sanitation andthe release of sterile codling moth males toassist in control of codling moth for over 15years. OK-SIR is a provincially legislated bodymade up of one representative from the each ofthe 5 regional districts, along with representa-tives from both the conventional and organicfarm community. The program is funded by amandatory tax levy on apple and pear grow-ers plus a charge to all homeowners in thearea. Grants from federal andprovincial governments have alsobeen a big part of the program.Although these are still in place,there is some concern that at somepoint one or both might be discontin-ued.

The OK-SIR board was approached about ayear ago by Oxitec Ltd., a British biotechnologyfirm. They wanted to use the SIR’s facility inOsoyoos to carry out research to see if theycould produce and mass rear genetically engi-neered codling moths to be used in the SIRrelease program instead of the ones currentlyproduced. They projected that these mothswould be more effective than irradiated ones.Oxitec was not offering to buy the plant; theywished to just take over the program and staffand tax levy money as it currently is, on con-tract. Later in negotiations they also offered tobring some cash. Because of the uncertainty ofpublic funding, the OK-SIR board was bound toconsider every alternative funding proposal.

When organic growers became aware of this weknew we had to oppose such a possibility.Every certifying body in the world has regula-tions prohibiting the use of genetically engi-neered organisms or their products in organicproduction. If genetically engineered mothswere released onto certified organic land - espe-cially thousands on a weekly basis - any certi-fying body would have to decertify that land.The GE moths Oxitec wished to develop andrelease would all contain an introduced genefor sterility taken from a bacteria plus other

foreign materials that are necessary to makethe primary gene work. When the moths diedand ended up on or in the soil, horizontal genetransfer could occur: this is the process where-by the introduced DNA from genetically engi-neered plants that have died and decayed istaken up by soil bacteria that in turn arealtered. There is no reason to think the same

thing could not happen with the DNA inthe altered moths. This is genetic pol-

lution.

Also, just having a company whichwould be perceived to be the

Monsanto of the genetically engi-neered insect industry carrying out such

research in the area would have had seriousmarket repercussions.

Meetings were held with representatives of thecompany and organic growers. Letters werewritten. The local newspapers and Country Lifegave the topic considerable coverage. Themajority of the conventional tree fruit industry

Plenary SpeakersCOABC Conference, Feb. 26

Organic Agriculture Research

Derek Lynch, Canada Research Chair in OrganicAgriculture, Nova Scotia Agricultural College

How can the new information on crop and soilmanagement practices help BC farmers? How dothe special needs of organic farmers related to theneeds of agriculture in general? These and otherquestions will be addressed by Derek Lynch.

Dr. Lynch has been examining crop and livestocksystems characteristic of organic agriculture, with anemphasis on system productivity, resource use effi-ciency, and soil quality. In addition, he has con-tributed to the development of innovative nutrientand crop management practices tailored to organicproduction.

First Nations Agriculture Partnerships

Jammi Kummar, BC MAL First Nations DevelopmentAgrologist

Jammi Kummar will be talking about the potentialand upcoming areas of opportunity for BC organicfarmers. This includes potential partnerships withFirst Nations and new products.


The Future of Food Special Film Showing at COABC Conference, February 26

There is a revolution happening in the farm fields and on the dinner tables ofAmerica — a revolution that is transforming the very nature of the food we eat. The

Future of Food offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetical-ly engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade. From the prairies of

Saskatchewan to the fields of Oaxaca, Mexico, this film gives a voiceto farmers whose lives and livelihoods have been negatively impact-

ed by this new technology. The health implications, governmentpolicies and push towards globalization are all part of the reasonwhy many people are alarmed by the introduction of genetically

altered crops into our food supply. The Future of Food examinesthe complex web of market and political forces that are changing

what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to control theworld’s food system. The film also explores alternatives to large-scaleindustrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable agriculture as

real solutions to the farm crisis today.

also did not support this course of action andthe BC Fruit Growers Association took a strongpublic position against it. This lack of supportfrom both organic and conventional growerswas the primary stumbling block for this pro-posal. There was also no cost benefit analysisdone that would make the Oxitec proposal aviable public/private partnership. The real eco-nomic costs to organic growers if OK-SIR con-tracted with Oxitec (estimated at approximately$6 million per year), the potential for trade bar-riers in conventional markets. especially over-seas, and the possible problems with adminis-trating and monitoring the program once anagreement with Oxitec was in place, outweighedany economic gain that could be made by usingthis technology of the moth rearing. Eventuallythe SIR board concluded that since the stake-holders didn’t endorse the idea of a such apartnership that they would not pursue anagreement with Oxitec.

This is the second time organic growers in theSimilkameen and South Okanagan have spear-headed an initiative to stop the introduction ofgenetic engineering into their area. In 2000,they were successful in blocking the possibleintroduction of genetically engineered non-browning apple trees.


Sessions being held during the COABC Annual conferenceAbbotsford Exhibition Grounds 24-26 February 2006

FREE registration is SEPARATE from conference registration.

Introduction to the program and thematerials; a must for

those who have not attended a workshopup till now.

Individual sessions (15, 30, 45, 60 minute slots–your preference) with an EFP advisor.

Come prepared with your questions on com-pleting your EFP Workbook, your Action Plan

or your BMP applications. Plan ahead andbook a slot —otherwise it will be first come first serve during this two day opportunity.

4 planners on site, no waiting.

Environmental Farm Planningat the COABC Conference

For further informationabout Environmental FarmPlanning call:On Vancouver Island and theIslands, Derek Masselink (250)629-6934 [email protected]

On the mainland, Elaine Spearing(250) 747-3237 [email protected]

To register for the Workshop or a Help sessioncontact Elaine Spearing 250 747-3237

[email protected]

EFP Workshop 2-5:00 pm Friday,February 24th

EFP Help Clinic Saturday Feb 25 &Sunday Feb. 26in the afternoons.


Spring Cleaning! by Elaine Spearing

Planning to clean-up, clear out, re-organise, orre-build your storage area this winter/spring?Have some items you are responsible for thatyou would rather not have hanging around?

Disposing of Unwanted materials

Agricultural pesticides

Legally the options for disposing of unwantedagricultural pesticides are:

1/ Return unopened containers to the Dealerbefore winter.

2/ Use the pesticide according to label direc-tions.

3/Pay a hazardous Waste Disposal Company todispose of the pesticide.

4/ Participate in a B.C Pesticide return.Occasionally, the government, pesticide indus-try and the BC Agricultural Council (BCAC) co-ordinate special unwanted pesticide collectionprograms.

There will be a few free pesticide collections forfarmers in 2006 which are good opportunitiesto dispose of agricultural pesticides you nolonger have any use for. These collections donot happen very frequently. The following datesare planned:

Delta February 27th &28th • Abbotsford March2nd and 3rd • Okanagan fall 2006

Remember that for certification, disposalrecords (i.e. receipts) must be kept as part ofthe audit trail.

Consumer materialsFor consumer (i.e domestic scale not intendedfor agriculture or industry) paints, solvents/flammable liquids, gasoline and pesticides (pes-ticides must have the skull and crossbonessymbol.) There are approx 35 depots across theprovince accepting these. Collected material is

Spring Cleaning – continued on page 18...


either re-used, recycled or used for its energyvalue. Suppliers should collect used oil, oil fil-ters and oil containers of 30 litres or less.

Improving storage areas

Improvements or rebuilding which reduce envi-ronmental risk may be eligible for incentivefunding through the Environmental Farm PlanProgram. This includes improved farm storageof fertilisers and shavings as well as pest con-trol products. All types of structures for fertilis-er storage are eligible for funding assistancewith a limit on the area of the structure basedon the type(s) of crop and area being farmed.

Storage checklist√ Segregate fertilisers, fuel and pesticides.

√ Containment for spills - Is there concrete witha curb, or metal pan, or other containment forsmall quantities to catch any spillage?

√ spill kit near storage

√ Wells are at least 100ft (30m) from the storage

√ Watercourses are at least 50ft (15m) fromstorage

√ Materials stored off the floor/protected fromdamp

√ Storage area is above the 100-year flood level.

√ Store dry formulations above liquids

√ Labels on all containers

√ Caps tightly closed

√ Bags tightly sealed

√ Damaged bags in strong plastic bags.

If any materials prohibited under the standardneed to be stored for some reason, at a mini-mum the organically compliant inputs shouldbe segregated from non-compliant inputs tominimise the risks of mistakes or contamina-tion. (COABC 2.21).

Any material classified as pesticide shouldbe in a building with a clearly visiblewarning sign and which is:

Capable of containing spills

Locked, with key stored away fromlock.

Insulated

Vented to the outside

Protected from collision

Pacific Agricultural Certification Society

3402 32nd Ave. Vernon BC V1T 2N1 Tel: 250-558-7927 Fax: 250-558-7947

email: [email protected]

Professional Accredited Certification Services

www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/pacs.php

- ISO 65 Compliant - Internationally Recognized Certification USA, Quebec, UK, Korea - Fast & Efficient Service - Affordable Sliding Fee Scale - Year Round Certification - No Deadlines - Easy to complete electronic or paper forms - Professional trained Verification Officers

Spring Cleaning Information Resources

about the BC Pesticide Return call:Ministry of Agriculture and Lands 1-800-221-7141Terralink: 1-800-661-4559Or refer to the Ministry website:

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/pesticides/d_9.htm

For the location of the nearest approved used oilcollection facility:

1-866-322-8662

For other materials:Recycling Council of British Columbia

www.rcbc.bc.caRecycling hotline

604-732-9253 in the Lower Mainland1-800-667-4321 throughout B.C

For information on the Environmental Farm PlanProgram:Elaine Spearing 250-747-3237

[email protected] refer to the BCAC website

www.bcac.ca/efp_programs.htm

... Spring Cleaning – continued from page 17

generation parasitism is present, does probablynot require intervention.

The main suppression or control approachesare based on mechanical, cultural (leafremoval, spray, etc.) and biological methods.

The most effective mechanical control uses yel-low sticky tape (Hopperfinder from WesternFarm Services, Ca), applied below the canopybefore bud break in spring. This plastic tape is15 cm (6 inches) wide and comes in 450 meter(1500 feet) long rolls. Where the over winteringpopulation is substantial, tape should beapplied to every row in the infested block tosubstantially reduce the resident leafhoppers.Extrapolation of informal counts in a blockwhich was severely infested by leafhoppers inthe previous season, shows that the yellowsticky tape caught between 500,000 (in lowerpressure areas) and 1.2 Million over-winteringleafhoppers per acre. Where previous year’sdamage was moderate the tape can be used forspot treatment, typically on the ends and out-side rows and where plants bud out earliest.Taking stock of the sites with the worst infesta-tion late in the season helps in mapping outareas to be treated with tape the next spring.Management practices such as cultivation orchopping prunings with a flail mower shouldnot be performed while the tape is still trappingleafhoppers, as the dust build up will render ituseless.

Tape can be wrapped around posts or stapled;it does however tear quite readily in high windlocations where staples are not recommended.In 2005 cost per roll was around Can $ 75.00.This method is the most effective overall, wherepressure is high and populations have beenincreasing over the years.

Another mechanical implement with somepotential is a large over the row blower–vacuumsystem, which blows the adult leafhopper fromone side of the row into a large vacuum headon the other side. Leafhopper counts showed asignificant reduction compared to control sites.Travel speed however is very slow and repeated


Leafhopper control in Organic Vineyards by Hans Buchler

The Virginia creeper leafhopper (Erythroneurazigzac) and in some locations the WesternGrape leafhopper (Erythroneura elegantula) areprobably the most difficult to control insectpests in organic vineyards in the Southern inte-rior of British Columbia. Both leafhopperspecies over-winter as adults and multiply overtwo generations in the growing season. Theydamage the foliage by sucking fluid from thecells, thereby affecting photosynthesis. Whilegrape plants can tolerate a fairly large numberof leafhoppers before the crop is affected bydelayed maturity due to reduced photosynthe-sis, careful monitoring of egg and nymph num-bers on the underside of the basal leaves iscrucial to determine whether intervention isnecessary; more so in organic vineyards,because control methods available to the organ-ic grower are few and of limited effectiveness.Firm thresholds for organic management sys-tems have not been established yet, but lessthan 20 nymphs per leaf, where some second-

877- JOHNNYSVisit us on the web

Johnnyseeds.com#50616

BFREE expanded 2006 catalog.BWide selection of

organic vegetable,herb, and flower seeds.

BExpert advice.

B150+ new products.

Supplying growers with new

award-winnersand provenfavorites for

over 30 years.

(564-6697)

Carmen (F1)

Bonbon (F1)

Eva Purple Ball

Northern Pickling

Bright Lights

Bull's Blood

Organic

Organic

Organic

Leafhopper Control - continued on page 20...


passes are necessary. Timing is also crucial;biggest impact was achieved with passes oncalm evenings just as the over winteringleafhoppers were beginning to lay eggs. Thisprototype machine will undergo somefurther development and be testedagain next year.

Cultural control methods con-sist primarily of leaf removaland spraying with approvedsubstances. Leaf removal isquite effective in some yearswhere pressure is relatively lowand when spring temperatures arerelatively warm and consistent. Basal leavesare removed by hand where damage is visibleas soon as the first nymphs begin to hatch.Under favourable conditions this can greatlyreduce leafhopper numbers. In cool or changingspring weather however, first generation ovipo-sition can extend over a number of weeks,which means that leafhoppers may still be lay-ing large numbers of eggs after leaf pulling hasbeen completed. Leaf removal at this stage hasno adverse effect on fruit quality and helps inopening up the canopy around the fruitingzone, thereby reducing incidence of botrytisbunch rot. Early season leaf removal is a slowand expensive process and generally only feasi-ble on a small portion of the vineyard. Anothervariation of this approach consists of delayingsuckering, or even purposely leaving suckerspurs during pruning, to be removed after firstgeneration egg laying has subsided. Suckersgenerally start growing early, attracting a lot ofleafhoppers.

There are few insecticides available to organicgrowers. All of them work through direct con-tact only, with no residual effect; so excellentcoverage is crucial for adequate suppression.Timing is also important, since these products

work best on first and second instarnymphs, with no impact on adult

leafhoppers.

Safers soap, applied at 1.5%to 2% to the underside of theleaves, when most first gen-eration eggs have hatched,

can substantially reduce dam-age, provided good coverage is

achieved. The product should beapplied with a spray gun to run off point

or with an airblast sprayer if nozzles can beangled to reach the underside of the leaves.Where hard water is a problem, the addition ofa handful of Potassium chloride (water soften-ing salt) to the tank mix, can greatly enhancethe efficacy of the product.

Summer oils and Neem are other options forthe suppression of insect pests such asleafhoppers. They are both not yet registeredfor use on grapes in Canada. Summer oil isused in the same way as Safers soap, but it hassome potential drawbacks. If used later in theseason on second generation hoppers, it caninhibit photosynthesis and thereby delay matu-rity. Some informal tests showed a reduction of1.3 to 1.8 Brix compared to an untreated con-trol. This effect may however be reduced withthe new generation of more highly refined sum-mer oils. Oils are also incompatible with sul-phur sprays and should not be applied within aweek to ten days of a sulphur based powderymildew spray.

There are a number of beneficial insects thatcan make a considerable contribution to keep-ing the leafhopper population stable. The mostimportant ones are egg parasites, tiny, almostmicroscopic mymarid wasps called Anagrus.They over-winter on leafhopper eggs andemerge in spring, when they probably multiplyon other, early leafhoppers. They typically moveinto vineyards at the tail end of the over-win-tering generation oviposition. They can cyclethrough four to five generations a year, so havethe potential to relatively quickly catch up to

...Leafhopper Control – continued from page 19


the leafhopper population. Parasitized leafhop-per eggs can be easily identified with a handlens, by the brick red colouration of the other-wise transparent, colourless egg. When Anagrusemerge from the host egg, they cut a roundhole into the egg membrane, while leafhopperstear the membrane open at one end. Anagrusseem to be very specific to the species ofleafhopper present. Anagrus erythroneurae isthe egg parasite of the western grape leafhop-per. Dr. Tom Lowery of PARC Summerland hasfound it over wintering on roses, probably onrose leafhopper eggs. Where substantialamounts of roses (wild or cultivated) are pre-sent, the grape leafhopper is rarely a problem.Anagrus daanei parasitizes the eggs of theVirginia creeper leafhopper. To date the localover wintering host has not been found, despiteconsiderable effort. While Tom Lowery has suc-ceeded in rearing Anagrus daanei in the lab forfield release, this is probably not feasible on alarge enough scale for commercial applications.In the long run, finding the over-wintering hostand then enhancing its habitat could, in somelocations, reduce the need to intervene.

The earwig is another beneficial, contributing tothe suppression of leafhoppers and other pestinsects. It will often scrape the eggs from theunderside of the leaves and occasionally eveneat young nymphs. Earwigs are night feedersand spend the day in the shade under bark,leaves or in the soil. They are considered a pestin table grape vineyards because they oftentake shelter in grape bunches at harvest time.Earwig populations typically increase underorganic management.

We have experimented for a few years withreleases of lacewing eggs and larvae. Eggs weresprinkled on to the basal leaves with a modifiedsaltshaker and stuck in place with a squirt ofsugar water or gum Arabic from a hand spraybottle. Rates were around 20,000 eggs per acre,in two or three consecutive applications.Lacewing larvae (Chrysoperla sp.) are fairlyactive generalist predators with a preference foraphids; they will kill leafhopper nymphs bysucking them dry, but often move from thegrape plant to the cover crop, where a broaderselection of food is available. Initial observa-tions and informal counts showed somepromise, but more rigorous, replicated sam-pling showed no significant difference betweenrelease sites and controls.

Predatory thrips, and a number of predatorybugs (Deraeocoris, Anthocoris) such as minutepirate bugs (Orius) are other generalist predators,which have been observed to kill leafhoppernymphs on occasion. All these may assist in asmall way to suppress the leafhopper population;but Anagrus appears to be the only one capableof reducing leafhopper numbers over time.

There are a number of opportunities for futureresearch: Neem oil has been shown to be effec-tive against the rice leafhopper in Asia, but isnot registered for use in Canada yet.

There are some indications that compoundswith anti-feedant effect may have somepromise. There may also be some potential inexploiting the probably chemical message ema-nating from grape leaves, which attracts theseleafhoppers to the grape plant in the first place.This could be used to enhance the effectivenessof the sticky tape or to develop another‘attract and kill’ method.


Following is a list of independent seed growersin BC. Contact your local seed growers to dis-cuss varieties you’re looking for in commercialquantities. Also, check the COABC websitewww.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/rcbtoa/training/organic-seeds.htm for updates to this list.

Across the Creek Organics: Seed potatoes.contact: Bruce Millerphone: 604.894.6463email: [email protected]: 8356 Meadows Rd. Pemberton BC.VON 2LO

Boundary Garlic: Seed garlic, heritage varietiescontact: Sonia Stairsphone: 250.449.2152email: [email protected]: Box 273, Midway, BC V0H 1M0

Birley Farm: field crop seeds: clover, sweet clover,alfalfa, oats

contact: Richard and Brenda Birley phone: 250-787-0635 email: [email protected]: Box 61, Baldonnel, BC. V0C 1C0

Box 820, 3925 – 64th Street, RR #1, Delta, BC V4K 3N2Tel: (604) 952-8820 • Toll-Free Fax: (877) 482-8822

[email protected] • www.westcoastseeds.com

We specialize in seeds & advice fororganic growers in British Columbia.

Send for your free catalogue. We invite you to visit us on the new farm!

C-Intra Botanicals: organic and wild harvested seedcontact: George Morizawaphone: 604-826-2357 email: [email protected] 4th Ave. Mission, BC V2V 7C6

Forest Spring Farm: seed garliccontact: Pat & Dianne Zanichelliphone: 250-655-3276 email [email protected] address: 2098 East Saanich Rd., Sidney, BC. V8L 1H5

Full Circle Seeds: Vegetable, heritage, herbs andflowers seeds

contact: Mary Alice Johnsonphone: 250.642.3671 email: [email protected]: Box 807, 3680 Otter Point Rd Sooke, BC. V0S 1N0www.fullcircleseeds.com

Organic Milling Co-op: Spelt, buckwheat, soybeansand golden flax seed.

contact: Andrea Gunner phone: 250.546.2712Fax 250.546.2713email: [email protected]: 4218 Wyatt Road Armstrong, B.C. V0E 1B4

Planting Seeds Project: Open pollinated vegetable,herb and flowers.

contact: Mojave Kaplanphone: 250.455.2392 ext.11 (early or evening)email: [email protected]: PO Box 536, Lytton, BC, VOK1Z0

Rebecca’s Garden: transitional vegetables, flowers contact: Rebecca Jehnphone: 250-727-3788email: [email protected] Echo Drive Victoria, BC. V9E 2H9

Salt Spring Seeds: Open-pollinated garlic, vegeta-bles, flowers and herbs.

contact: Dan Jasonphone: 250.537.5269(Inquiries only, no phone orders)address: Box 444, Ganges P.O. Salt Spring Island, BC,V8K 2W1saltspringseeds.com

BC Commercial Organic Seed Growers

Bulk

seed!Bulk

seed!

A one-day gathering for seed growers will beheld on February 19th in Victoria. There will beexpert presentations on topics such seed borne dis-eases, including field identification, and post-har-vest treatment, as well as a session for networkingand strategizing. Contact Patrick Steiner:

[email protected], ph: 250-804-0122.

CUBA SUSTAINABILITY TOUR MAR 6 – 21

2/3rds Typical Price, Twice the Value.


Stellarseeds.comDOWNLOAD OUR CATALOGUE

For a printed catalogue send $2 to Stellar Seeds 2750 – 30th Avenue NESalmon Arm BC V1E 3L2

G O U R M E T

certifiedorganic

H E R I TAG E

Seeds of Victoria: Open-pollinated vegetables, heir-loom tomatoes, herbs, perennials and annuals.

contact: Carolyn Herriotphone: 250. 881.1555email: [email protected]: 395 Conway Road, Victoria, B.C. V9E 2B9www.earthfuture.com/gardenpath/Seeds_Catalogue.htm

Stellar Seeds: Vegetables, flowers, herbs, cover crops- most seed is certified organic, bulk available

contact: Patrick Steinerphone: 250.804.0122 email: [email protected]: 2750 - 30th Ave. NE, Salmon Arm,BC, V1E 3L2www.stellarseeds.com

Sunshine Farm: heirloom and rare vegetables, flow-ers and herbs

contact: Jon and Sher Alcockphone: 250.764.4810email: [email protected]: 2225 Saucier Rd., Kelowna, BC, V1W 4B8

Two Wings Farm: Certified organic heirloom veg-etable, herb and flower seeds.

Contact: Marti Martin-Woodphone: 250.478.3794 email: [email protected]

Bulk

seed!

address: 4768 William Head Road, Victoria, BC, V9C 3Y7www.twowingsfarm.com

West Coast Seeds: Open pollinated and F1, veg-etable, herb and flowers, certified organic seedsfrom BC growers.

contact: Mary Ballonphone: 604.952.8820, toll free fax877.482.8822email: [email protected]: 3925 - 64th St, RR1, Delta, BC, V4K 3N2www.westcoastseeds.com

Bulk

seed!

Urban & Peri-Urban AgricultureCountryside AgricultureParticipatory Plant BreedingEducational TV & VideoProduction

Countryside and Seashore lifeOrganic CertificationEnvironmental OrganizationsHuman RightsFood SecurityHealth & Education SystemsApicultural, Fruiticultural,Pasturage & Forage Research

Havana Art Galleries, theatres,museums, monuments,palaces, and plazas.

For more info call Ron 250-539-2034 or cell 539-0089, email [email protected] or check out

www.varalaya.ca

Total Cost of Air return fromVancouver, Double Occupancywith all Breakfasts, and someMeals, without Travel Insuranceis

$2400 Cdn.less your $300 Canadian taxdeductible charity donation perticket that will fund continuingsupport of sustainable agriculu-ral research activities in Canadaand Cuba. Fully bilingual andproficient guides.

Throughout tour, we’ll visit or meet people andcenters of interest. We’ll visit the NationalAgricultural Sciences Institute facility (INCA).See the remarkable work transforming Cubanagriculture by INCA’s Participatory PlantBreeding (PPB) program with national coordi-nator Humberto Rios, who is one of our tour’shost/guides. We’ll visit the UBPC Organiponicoin Alamar, one of the most successful urbanorganic farms in Cuba selling ornamentalplants, medicinal plants, and millions of veg-etable transplants to surrounding residentsand farmers. This farm provides training andfresh food for the area. This is a must see foranyone interested in Cuba’s Urban Agriculture,and Food Security. There are many Canadianpartnerships here so expect warm welcomes!


Seeds for the Future? by Cathleen Kneen

ference, with increasing activity among local seedproducers and a conference planned for mid-February which will include both skill develop-ment and strategizing for BC’s seed sector (seeannouncement, page 22.)

There are real opportunities for organic farmersin BC to prepare for the day when we are forcedto rely on ourselves and our farmer-partners forclean, appropriate, organic seed supplies. But wehave to act decisively and make this a clear pri-ority – tell your CB representative on the COABCBoard; or, better yet, come to the AGM andspring conference and make your concernsheard. Or contact the organizers of the seedgathering in Victoria. Or, take the plunge and goto Cuba on the spring tour and get inspired bythe possibilities (see page 23).

By the next issue of the BC Organic Grower wehope to be able to report on concrete initiativesto ensure that BC’s organic growers will be usingCertified Organic seeds for all our crops (includ-ing feed crops) —not because the internationalstandards require it for trade, but because theseseeds have the qualities we want, and they areavailable to us in the quantities we require.

It is no secret that the transnational corpora-tions who have done such a good job of turningagricultural commodities and inputs into profitcentres (for themselves) are now setting theirsights on seeds. In fact, the consolidation of theseed sector, and the steady loss of open-pollinat-ed varieties, has been going on for many years.As we learned from Stewart Wells of the NationalFarmers Union at last year’s COABC spring con-ference, it is Canadian government policy to putseed breeding in private hands - and to encour-age the spread of genetically engineered seeds.As we learned from Mary Ballon of West CoastSeeds at the same conference, there is alreadyonly one source for several of our most commonvegetable seeds. And as we learned from Cuba’sHumberto Rios LaBrada, there are dynamic, cre-ative, and effective models in other countries tolearn from.

Since that conference, COABC’s “Ambassador toCuba”, Ron Pither, has continued to work withHumberto and his colleagues in Cuba and inChiapas, Mexico, and to seek ways to translatethe principles of their farmer-led ParticipatoryPlant Breeding into a program which willaddress the seed needs of the organic sector inBritish Columbia. Chiapas is the ‘centre of ori-gin’ of about 60% of the world’smost important food crops (thinkcorn, beans, rice, tomatoes). Usingthe tools of the Participatory PlantBreeding program, they are workingto ensure stable supplies of theseseeds in the hands of farmers - andthey are very interested in interna-tional partnerships such as withBritish Columbia. This is an chancefor BC seed growers who have beenworking with local traditional andheritage varieties to work with amuch broader range of seeds – andto collaborate in the development ofcommercial-scale quantities of themost relevant or interesting vari-eties, including field crops as well asvegetables, herbs, and flowers.

There has also been follow-up fromthe seed workshop at last year’s con-

A Cuban field with wheat and oats, developed through Cuba’s ParticipatoryPlant Breeding program, intercropped between bananas for feed grain rations

production. Photo: Ron Pither


��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�� !"#��$��!"#��$��!"#��$��!"#��$��""��""��""��""�� !"��$��""��!"��$��""��!"��$��""��!"��$��""��

��

�"�"�"�"�� !��"!$��!��"!$��!��"!$��!��"!$��"��%%�!��"��%%�!��"��%%�!��"��%%�!��

��&��%%��&��%%��&��%%��&��%%��'��

"��(��)��**��(��+�� ,��-��"��(��)��**��(��+�� ,��-��"��(��)��**��(��+�� ,��-��"��(��)��**��(��+�� ,��-��.../��+*�/��(�.../��+*�/��(�.../��+*�/��(�.../��+*�/��(��

��0��0��0��0 122122122122 345345345345 5657565756575657�

�!��*��+��!��*��+��!��*��+��!��*��+��

�� !� *�&*�$��8�� !� *�&*�$��8�� !� *�&*�$��8�� !� *�&*�$��8��

�� ,��9�• ��*:��+��(��+��-��

��(�(��

• ��(��.�(:�-��*��

• ��(��.�(:��**��(��*��*��(��

• ��**��(�;�+(��<��)��:�,��

�� +�� (��9�

0000 122122122122 345345345345 5657�;��<�5657�;��<�5657�;��<�5657�;��<��

� ��9��+�=��+*�/��(��+�=��+*�/��(��+�=��+*�/��(��+�=��+*�/��(��

�#�'�� #�'�� #�'�� #�'��

�:��>��!��*��(��

Pacific Natural is a cold processed, enzymatically digested fresh fish fertilizer produced fromthe pacific dogfish at our plant in Delta, B.C. When applied to the soil, PN performs as anatural bio-stimulant, with the enzymes biologically unlocking nutrients contained in the soil.Because the natural oils and collagens have not been removed, our fertilizer does not leechout into the local water table, but remains in the soil providing a time-release effect. Inaddition to being a root-feeder, PN is suitable as a foliar spray and compost starter.

PN is completely natural, other than the addition of 3% phosphoric acid needed for pHstabilization. For application, it is mixed with water at a ratio of at least 10 parts waterto 1 part PN in order to bring the pH level to neutral to initiate bio-activity. PN has beenfiltered through an 80-mesh screen and can be applied through conventional methodsincluding aerial spraying and underground drip systems.

Application rate: 5-10 gallons of undiluted PN per acre (diluted at least 10:1, 3 times per year)

Pacific Natural is a cold processed, enzymatically digested fresh fish fertilizer produced fromthe pacific dogfish at our plant in Delta, B.C. When applied to the soil, PN performs as anatural bio-stimulant, with the enzymes biologically unlocking nutrients contained in the soil.Because the natural oils and collagens have not been removed, our fertilizer does not leechout into the local water table, but remains in the soil providing a time-release effect. Inaddition to being a root-feeder, PN is suitable as a foliar spray and compost starter.

PN is completely natural, other than the addition of 3% phosphoric acid needed for pHstabilization. For application, it is mixed with water at a ratio of at least 10 parts waterto 1 part PN in order to bring the pH level to neutral to initiate bio-activity. PN has beenfiltered through an 80-mesh screen and can be applied through conventional methodsincluding aerial spraying and underground drip systems.

Application rate: 5-10 gallons of undiluted PN per acre (diluted at least 10:1, 3 times per year)

To place an order or for further information, please contact Michael Renwick – Great Pacific BioProducts Ltd.Phone: 604-952-4333 Fax: 604-952-4334 Email: [email protected]

PACIFIC NATURAL BRAND


Letters to the editorare welcome. Letters must be

under 500 words. We reserve theright to edit for length.

To the Editor:I found it very disheartening to read “Cherry Fruit

Fly a Threat no Longer” in the Autumn edition ofBC Organic Grower. While I am not totally againstthe use of organic sprays to limit the damage wrought

by various pests, I think a quick critical look at theworld would suggest that perhaps it is us humans whoare the real pests that need to be controlled.

Eliot Coleman has urged farmers for years to ‘plantpositive’, by focusing on strengthening plants and theconditions that support them, not on wiping out pestsand disrupting ecosystems. “Without this understand-ing,” writes Coleman in The New Organic Grower,“organic agriculture continues to be constrained by animitative type of thinking that merely substitutes‘organic’ for chemical inputs” . Judging by the widerange of pests that can be fought using ‘ENTRUST’,one can only speculate as to the larger effect this couldhave on ‘beneficial’ insects and the interrelationshipsthat exist between all living things on a farm.Furthermore, what happens if the cherry fruit fly devel-ops a resistance to ENTRUST?

The issue that I find most disturbing about the promo-tion of the biological insecticide spinosad, however, isthat it is a product of Dow Chemical (or ‘DowAgrisciences’). One of the world’s leading biotechfirms, one would be hard-pressed to find a more envi-ronmentally irresponsible company than Dow. Frommanufacturing Agent Orange and Napalm during theVietnam War, to its refusal to account for the 1984Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal, India, the trackrecord of this corporation is frightening. Sadly, this is

Response to letter to the editorEffect on beneficials is a real concern. Please see myarticle in an earlier issue of the BC Organic Growerregarding this and ways to mitigate it. Resistance tospinosad is a possibility. In regard to both these issueswe have been carrying out research to minimize theamounts used, which is the main preventative action.Monitoring and only applying sprays when needed isone method. Use of GF-120 instead of Entrust whereonly 1 gram of spinosad is needed for every 7.5 acres isanother.

Very early maturing varieties of cherries miss the mainCherry Fruit Fly infestations. However, the two CFFlarvae we did find in all of the checking during lastsummer’s research project were from early cherries.Based on the stage of development of the grubs(mature), the eggs they had hatched from had beenlaid before we started monitoring mid-June. There maybe selection going on in the early maturing blocks forearly emerging CFF. Early maturing varieties also tendto be much more susceptible to rain splitting and otherphysiological problems.

The upshot of this is that if resistance develops, mostconsumers have to choose either to eat conventionalcherries where far more toxic and environmentallydamaging pesticides are used or not to eat cherries.

Regarding Dow - My father had a saying that I thinkapplies here: “even a blind chick will find a good seedonce in awhile”. Actually getting Dow to focus on lesstoxic compounds is a plus. Not using products withnegative connotations is a huge challenge. Try to avoidusing all those nice cheap products that are “Made inChina”. There is probably nointervention/product/action that does not have a nega-tive connotation if you look hard enough. Each indi-vidual has to decide how hard they want to look andhow much they can or cannot compromise. It is a farfrom perfect world and there are far more greys andpastels than black and whites.

Linda Edwards

Lett

ers

toth

eEd

itor

Growing the Culture in Agri-Culture

Biodynamic Conference & AGMhosted by Glenora Farm in Duncan

March 24th-26th, 2006

for information contact: [email protected] or [email protected] Agriculture Society of British ColumbiaMary Forstbauer (Pres) phone/fax 604 794 3999

just the tip of the iceberg, and I would urge readers tocheck out Jack Doyle’s recent book Trespass AgainstUs: Dow Chemical and the Toxic Century.

If the Cherry Fruit Fly is such a problem, and the useof ENTRUST is deemed unavoidable, then perhapsfarmers would be wise to grow something else to mar-ket commercially. And as for teaming up with Dow,supporting such a corporate brute would be an embar-rassment to organic agriculture.

Mike Bird, Seton Portage


the old, the very young,and others, are threat-ened with illness and death bysuch indiscriminate applications of thespray! We discovered that reports of distressin Vancouver Emergency Wards associatedwith the indicriminate spraying of citizens ofthat city (which was the first aerial spraying of anurban population) were simply written off asunknown “epidemiological” effects. One couldn’tbe certain if it was the spray or it wasn’t the spraywhich affected the victims concerned.

We also found that this spray program had nothing todo with just finding bugs to spray; Agriculture Canadahad some kind of contractual agreement with a

German supplier of the spray and it was orderedand stock piled for as much as 3 years in advance

of a “possible” need!

Though the efforts of a core group led by ChrisAnderson, who worked day and night for months, theIsland wasn’t sprayed in the mid 90s. Ag Canada final-ly agreed that citizens of Salt Spring would take on–and self-administer – a citizen-based program of settingtraps and testing foliage for egg masses (of course theGypsy Moth never actually showed up). That’s theapproach that should prevail again, should purportedneed arise.

We don’t need Ag Canada indiscriminately destroyingecosystems here for the sake of exporting raw logs,Christmas trees and Nursery Products to the U.S.A.

John Wilcox

Letters toth

eEdito

rTo The Editor:The Ministry of Forests and Range has applied to aeri-al spray 390 hectares encompassing both sides of LeesHill to eradicate an isolated infestation of GypsyMoth. They will use BTK commercial formulationForay 48B with 4 applications between April 15 &June 30.

This formulation is not approved for organic certifica-tion and any certified land that is sprayed would loosecertification status and have to undergo a 3 year transi-tion period. The alternatives are to stop the sprayingor to get your acreage covered in plastic at ministryexpense every time a spraying is scheduled.

To comment on this application a writ-ten submission must be sent to the min-istry and the regional manager of thePesticide Control Program within 30days of 28 Dec. More details can be obtainedfrom the Islands Trust Office.

Anne MaceyTo the Editor:I was one of several people who attended hearingshere the last time this initiative was proposed for theIslands. The struggle against this went on for months;the hearings lasted for 3 days! In the process we dis-covered that contrary to the purported rationale forthe aerial spraying of the entire Island at that time,this wasn’t a spraying of bugs that would save localecosystems from devastation. This was a repeat of aspray program that was first started as an “eradication’of Gypsy Moth beginning in 1911.

Next we discovered that no one knew what was in thespray. It’s a secret formula containing a surfactant(sticking agent) which could be any unknown chemi-cal product, including banned substances. It was pur-ported to be safe, except it wasn’t to be sprayed any-where where it would contaminate water bodies! Howsafe is it then?

There is no record of Gypsy Moth being a viablethreat to conifer ecosystems such as ours, although itmay very well be a threat to eastern seaboard systemsand to other deciduous Canadian zones such as theCarolinian of South Western Ontario. The moth does-n’t survive in the conifer forests of nothern Michiganor up into Canada, but only inhabits nodes of isolateddeciduous popular and birch tree clusters.

In other words, the Gypsy Moth spray program is aCanadian initiative designed to allay the “non tariff”trade barrier curtailment of shipping such things as rawlogs, Christmas trees and nursery products across theU.S. (free trade) border.

One of the most disturbing findings of the hearingswas that people with compromised immune systems,

Regional Seminar SeriesInterested in demonstrating the latest farmingtechniques or equipment to farmers? Lookingfor some financial support to get this kind ofhands-on event off the ground?

The COABC’s Organic Sector Development Fund hasapproved funding to support a set of regionally ori-ented seminars around the province. These eventsmust demonstrate something new that can help pro-ducers increase their organic productivity.

If you have an idea, and a CB or a regional produc-tion group who will help coordinate the event, talk toRochelle Eisen to see if you qualify for financial assis-tance. You can reach

Rochelle at 250.547.6573 (h),

250.306.7980 (c) or via email [email protected].


Pre-Conference Workshops

Marketing and Business Skills WorkshopIn association with the Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative, this workshop will provide beginning and intermediate levelmarketing information and support to those who are considering or are already involved in agroforestry, who need more infor-mation on market opportunities and product outlets, how to mesh or link their agroforestry efforts with other agriculture activi-ties or programs, or obtain other skills for marketing. The workshop will provide information transferable to organic growers andis intended to help promote linkages between agroforestry concepts and products into the organic sector.

Environmental Farm Planning Workshops & ClinicsPlease see page 16 for details. Free registration for this workshop is separate from Conference registration.

GROWING THE ORGANIC SECTOR IN B.C.CONFERENCE, TRADESHOW and AGM

Session D: Growing our Value

• Tools to help farmers with furtherprocessing (Candice Appleby, SmallScale Food Processor’s Association)

• New ideas for finding income fromnon-production areas of your prop-erty such as riparian areas (MarleneBest, Page Creek Farms).

Session E: Growing ourProduction

• Specialty crops (Lisa Zabek, MAL)

• Agroforestry systems (DavidTrotter, MAL)

Session F: Growing ourConnections and Partnerships• Greenhouse Gas MitigationProgram and related on farm appli-cations (Jayna Houston, AbbotsfordSoil Conservation Association)

• The current status of and efforts toprotect ALR lands (Dave Sands, ALRProtection and EnhancementCommittee)

• Developing Community, UsingAgriculture as the Vehicle (MarionThompson, Fraser Basin Council)

• How farmers can work with thegrowing food security movement(Cathleen Kneen, BC Food SystemsNetwork)

Session A: Growing ourMarkets

• Organic retail coops (from base-ment to chainstores)

• What is required in order for amajor supermarket chain to carryyour organic product (David Kelly,Organics Specialist at Save on Foods)

• The Community SharedAgriculture marketing model.

Session B: Growing our Skills

• Organic Pest Control

• Basket Weeding (Hermann Bruns)

• Marketing for Farmers (Justin Marx)

• How to access government pro-gramming for business planning onyour farm (Lorne Owen, Ag RenewalProgram).

• Permaculture techniques.

Session C: Growing ourKnowledge

• National organic regulation changes(Paddy Doherty)

• Meat Industry EnhancementStrategy (Don Davidson): transition tothe new meat inspection regulations.

• David Lynch (see page 15 fordetails) on new products such aschitin-based fertilizer and lactic acidbacteria.

Concurrent Conference Session Highlights

Please see website or phone Coordinator for updated details

Show off at

the COABC Conference!

ShareArt • crafts • your farm’s produce Special skills (ie. cooking classes, woodworking, welding)

Donate:money • time • produce • livestock

For the:Live Auction • Silent Auction

• Banquet •

To donate, please contact

Michelle Boshardph: 604-755-4329, or [email protected]

Auction & DanceEnjoy an evening of joyful indul-gence, with an all-organic ban-quet followed by a live and silentauction. Then dance like there’sno tomorrow to 11-year old fid-dling sensation Aimee Fauteux – atwo time provincial gold medalwinning fiddler.

Saturday night!

BC Organic Grower, Volume 8, Number 4, Winter 2005-2006 �


Pre-conference Workshops (Friday, Feb. 24th)Noon - 5pm Agroforestry Marketing and Business Skills WorkshopNoon - 5pm Environmental Farm Planning Workshop

Friday, Februrary 24th4:00 pm - 10:00 pm Registration, Trade Show Opens (open until 10 pm)5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Networking Reception & Cash Bar: Organic Wine and Beer7:15pm Book Reading by Larry L. Bailey, Author of “Birthright”7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Plenary Speaker: Deborah Koons Garcia, Director / Producer of

The Future of Food, viewing of the film with Q&A period following.

Saturday, Februrary 25th7:30 am - 9:00 am Registration, Trade Show Opens (open until 5 pm)8:30 am - 10:00 am Opening Remarks & Dignitaries

Plenary Speaker: Dr. Derek Lynch, PAg. Canada Research Chair inOrganic Agriculture (see pg. 15 for details)

10:00 am - 12 pm PACS AGM10:30 am - 12 pm Concurrent Session 1: Topics A, B, and C (see key below, info pg. 28)1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Concurrent Session 2: Topics A, B, and C (see key below, info pg. 28)1:30 pm - 5 pm Seedy Saturday Seed Exchange3:30 pm - 5 pm Concurrent Session 3: Topics A, B, and C (see key below, info pg. 28)6:00 pm - 11:00 pm Banquet, Auction and Dance!!

Sunday, Februrary 26th7:30 am - 9:00 am Registration, Trade Show Opens (open until 4:30 pm)8:30 am - 10:00 am Plenary Speaker: Jammi Kumar, PAg. Development Agrologist, BC

MAL (see pg. 28 for details)10:00 am - 12 pm COABC AGM10:30 am - 12 pm Concurrent Session 4: Topics D, E and F (see key below, info pg. 28)1:30 - 3:00 Concurrent Session 5: Topics D, E and F (see key below, info pg. 28 )3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Closing and Farewells4:30 - 6pm Tour of an organic farm

Key to the Concurrent Session Topics: (see pg. 28 for details)Topic A: Growing our Markets Topic D: Growing our ValueTopic B: Growing our Skills Topic E: Growing our ProductionTopic C: Growing our Knowledge Topic F: Growing our Connections and Partnerships

GROWING THE ORGANIC SECTOR IN B.C.CONFERENCE, TRADESHOW and AGM

General Program Schedule

VolunteersWe need assistance withpre- and post-conferencesetup and tear down,food serving and regis-tration desk assistance.We also need pre-confer-ence assistance with win-dow poster placementsaround BC—will you puta poster up in yourtown? If you’re interest-ed in helping, pleasecontact:

Conference CoordinatorMichelle Boshard tel: 604-755-4329, or [email protected]

Best Western Regency Inn &Conference Centre32110 Marshall RoadAbbotsford, BC, V2T 1A1Toll Free: 1-800-771-3077 Phone: 604-853-3111Fax: 604-852-1750 http://www.bwregency.bc.caBe sure to reference conference confir-mation #602542 or identify yourself asa COABC conference participant to getthe rate of $79 per night. A hotel shuttle bus will be available allweekend.

Schedule &Speakers Subjectto changeCheck the COABC web-site for updates anddetailed information:

www.certifiedorganic.bc

.ca/agm2006

Coast Abbotsford Hotel and Suites2020 Sumas WayAbbotsford BC, V2S 2C7 Toll Free: 1-800-716-6199Phone: 604-853-1880Fax: 604-853-1951

Ramada Inn and ConferenceCentre Abbotsford36035 North Parallel Rd. Abbotsford, BC V3G 2C6 Toll Free: 1-888-411-1070 Phone: 604-870-1050 Fax:604 870-1060 [email protected]

Best Western Bakerview Inn1821 Sumas WayAbbotsford, BC, V2S 4L5 Phone: 604-859-1341 Fax: 604-854-1385

Comfort Inn Abbotsford 2073 Clearbrook Road Abbotsford, BC V2T 2X1Phone: 604-859-6211

Super 8 Abbotsford1881 Sumas WayAbbotsford, BC V2S 4L5 Phone: 604-853-1141

Hotel Accomodation for the Conference:

Vol. 8, No. 4 Winter 2005-2006 · Organic Chicken Compost Organic Chicken and Pig Compost Custom...

Documents

Transcript of Vol. 8, No. 4 Winter 2005-2006 · Organic Chicken Compost Organic Chicken and Pig Compost Custom...