Farming

Recent strong winds resulted in more than 70 stray oyster tray stacks washing ashore on Denman Island. As of April 1, 2023, all aquaculture gear is required to be properly tagged with the licence holder’s name; and DFO Facility Reference number or BC Land File number. These baskets had neither. Photo supplied

Shellfish trays litter Denman shoreline despite new DFO regulations to prevent it

B.C. Shellfish Growers Association says members need more time to update equipment

Recent strong winds resulted in more than 70 stray oyster tray stacks washing ashore on Denman Island. As of April 1, 2023, all aquaculture gear is required to be properly tagged with the licence holder’s name; and DFO Facility Reference number or BC Land File number. These baskets had neither. Photo supplied
Willem Semmelink from Lentelus Farms stands in front of the family-operated farm stand that was stolen in the early morning of June 4. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

Popular Vancouver Island farm stand robbed for a third time in one year

‘I don’t know what do anymore’: ‘Farmer Dave,’ Lentelus Farms

Willem Semmelink from Lentelus Farms stands in front of the family-operated farm stand that was stolen in the early morning of June 4. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has killed six cougars in and around Metchosin and Greater Victoria this year. (Pixabay)

Six cougars killed in Greater Victoria by conservation officers after livestock deaths

Conservation officers said they have had a large number of calls about cougars attacking livestock

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has killed six cougars in and around Metchosin and Greater Victoria this year. (Pixabay)
Harry Burton.  (photo by Burton)

Apple varieties could be lost, but not if Salt Spring’s Harry Burton has his way

Local farmer looks to diversify apple availability in the name of good taste

  • May 29, 2023
Harry Burton.  (photo by Burton)
Dairy farming is second nature for Doug Groenendijk. He hopes to succeed just as much in the dating game. (Photo courtesy CTV)

Mixing farming business with pleasure

Local dairy farmer in the hunt for love on TV reality show

Dairy farming is second nature for Doug Groenendijk. He hopes to succeed just as much in the dating game. (Photo courtesy CTV)
Beekeepers tend to hives in 2020. Beekeepers, aquaculturalists and federally licensed marijuana and hemp growers can now apply for special funding to help protect against extreme heat. (Chelsea Thomsen/Special to Black Press)

Province expands extreme weather funding program to include beekeepers, pot growers

Growers can apply for up to $35,000 in cost-sharing program to protect against heat, floods, fire

Beekeepers tend to hives in 2020. Beekeepers, aquaculturalists and federally licensed marijuana and hemp growers can now apply for special funding to help protect against extreme heat. (Chelsea Thomsen/Special to Black Press)
Tom Michell of Michell’s Farm says many more people are now supporting local farmers. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Saanich Peninsula farmers pin their hopes on a bountiful year

Farmers optimistic we won’t see a repeat of last year’s cold, wet weather

Tom Michell of Michell’s Farm says many more people are now supporting local farmers. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
The second annual B.C. Cannabis Summit was hosted in Kelowna April 21-23, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

B.C. Cannabis Summit blunt and blazing the way for a better legal market

The summit was held at Kelowna’s Eldorado Hotel and Manteo Resort

  • Apr 24, 2023
The second annual B.C. Cannabis Summit was hosted in Kelowna April 21-23, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
A petition to the federal government aims to ban cephalopod farms in Canada. (Credit: Pixabay)

Green leader May petitions for preventative ban on octopus farms

Experts say practice not only morally questionable, but environmentally destructive too

A petition to the federal government aims to ban cephalopod farms in Canada. (Credit: Pixabay)
Screenshot of released Meadow Valley Meats video (Animal Justice Canada/Screenshot of video)

BC SPCA reiterates calls for provincial action on slaughterhouses amid Pitt Meadows probe

Animal Justice Canada released footage of Meadow Valley Meats and the BC SPCA is investigating

Screenshot of released Meadow Valley Meats video (Animal Justice Canada/Screenshot of video)
Shahram Rashti (left) and Bahram Rashti (right) of UP Vertical Farms just unveiled Canada’s first hands-free vertical farming facility. (Special to The News)

Canada gets its first hands-free vertical farming facility

UP Vertical Farms is expected to produce nearly 2 million pounds of salad greens each year

Shahram Rashti (left) and Bahram Rashti (right) of UP Vertical Farms just unveiled Canada’s first hands-free vertical farming facility. (Special to The News)
Cattle roam in a field near Pigeon Lake, Alta., on May 1, 2022. Experts say an uptick in extreme weather, such as drought, is leading beef farmers in the U.S. and Canada to thin their herds in near-record numbers, which could lead to supply problems in the beef industry over the longer term. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Extreme drought makes cattle farmers thin herds, could cause future supply problems

Climate change likely to increase drought conditions over time in Canada and U.S.

Cattle roam in a field near Pigeon Lake, Alta., on May 1, 2022. Experts say an uptick in extreme weather, such as drought, is leading beef farmers in the U.S. and Canada to thin their herds in near-record numbers, which could lead to supply problems in the beef industry over the longer term. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Above: Thanu Eagalle and Aaron Brown are pictured at Wild Bee Florals. Truzy Photos
Below: Pendleton Farm owner Sarah Wilson. Photo supplied

Young Agrarians aim to grow next generation of B.C. farmers

Land Matching Program addresses high cost of land

Above: Thanu Eagalle and Aaron Brown are pictured at Wild Bee Florals. Truzy Photos
Below: Pendleton Farm owner Sarah Wilson. Photo supplied
Troy Dignam, a Sooke-based egg farmer, works as a nurse full-time in Victoria. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Small-scale Greater Victoria egg farmers not cracking under pressure of rising costs

Local egg farmers are deciding whether to up prices, as feed costs rise

Troy Dignam, a Sooke-based egg farmer, works as a nurse full-time in Victoria. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Jess Duncan holds Toque the shy chicken at Bear ‘N Bee Therapeutic Farm. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

VIDEO: ‘Everybody’s farm’ in Greater Victoria offers kids a safe place to learn and explore

Jess Duncan of Bear ‘N Bee Farm wanted to make purposeful use of her land and animals

Jess Duncan holds Toque the shy chicken at Bear ‘N Bee Therapeutic Farm. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
White Spot executive chef James Kennedy will be co-hosting the Dec. 6 online cook-along event. (BCAITC/Special to The News)

B.C. chefs host free online cook-along with White Spot

The Dec. 6 event uses local ingredients and teaches home cooks how to make two different dishes

White Spot executive chef James Kennedy will be co-hosting the Dec. 6 online cook-along event. (BCAITC/Special to The News)
City of Langford officials and Mew Farm team members came together to celebrate the first harvest, including Satnam Dheenshaw (third from left) of Gobind Farms, Raymond Mew (second from right) and Greg Hinterberger (right). (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Langford farm reaps first harvest since 1957

Raymond Mew, his siblings and a gang of supporters helped restore the Langford farm

City of Langford officials and Mew Farm team members came together to celebrate the first harvest, including Satnam Dheenshaw (third from left) of Gobind Farms, Raymond Mew (second from right) and Greg Hinterberger (right). (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Kitchen Connect and the South Island Farm Hub are hosting an opening ceremony Sept. 22 for its new food processing facility in Esquimalt which will help local farmers connect with retailers to grow their business and strengthen the local food supply chain. (Courtesy of Kitchen Connect)

Public invited to Esquimalt food processing facility opening Sept. 22

Kitchen Connect and the South Island Farm Hub aim to support local farmers and food supply chain

Kitchen Connect and the South Island Farm Hub are hosting an opening ceremony Sept. 22 for its new food processing facility in Esquimalt which will help local farmers connect with retailers to grow their business and strengthen the local food supply chain. (Courtesy of Kitchen Connect)
The Vancouver Island Coastal Cowgirls perform Saturday during day one of the Saanich Fair. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Saanich Fair draws thousands on opening day

The action continues Sunday and Monday

The Vancouver Island Coastal Cowgirls perform Saturday during day one of the Saanich Fair. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Leo Benne, president and CEO of Bevo (left), and the rest of his management team will remain significant shareholders as part of the Aurora Cannabis deal.

BC plant propagation facility signs deal with major cannabis provider in Canada

Bevo Farms’ parent company was acquired by Aurora Cannabis for more than $45 million

Leo Benne, president and CEO of Bevo (left), and the rest of his management team will remain significant shareholders as part of the Aurora Cannabis deal.