Farming

A collage of photos taken at Darby Farms in the Alberni Valley. (PHOTOS COURTESY HEATHER DARBY)

Alberni Valley family celebrates 100 years of farming

The Darby family has been working the soil at their family farm near Stamp Falls Provincial Park

A collage of photos taken at Darby Farms in the Alberni Valley. (PHOTOS COURTESY HEATHER DARBY)
Onions. (Pikrepo)

B.C. imports 99 million kilos of American onions. Why?

About four per cent of the onions consumed in B.C. are grown in the province

  • Aug 18, 2020
Onions. (Pikrepo)
More than one million cartons, each containing a dozen eggs, will be redistributed via an emergency federal program designed to address a key challenge facing farmers: having too much food and nowhere to sell it. A farmer sorts through eggs as they exit the hen barn at an egg farm in West Lincoln, Ont., on Monday, March 7, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

Chicken, eggs both go first as feds roll out COVID-19 food surplus program

$50-million surplus food program was announced by the Liberal government earlier this year

More than one million cartons, each containing a dozen eggs, will be redistributed via an emergency federal program designed to address a key challenge facing farmers: having too much food and nowhere to sell it. A farmer sorts through eggs as they exit the hen barn at an egg farm in West Lincoln, Ont., on Monday, March 7, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power
Problems caused by Canada geese have gotten worse in recent years for local farmers. (Black Press Media file photo)

Canada geese a scourge on Greater Victoria farmers

Immediate and long-term solutions needed, says Saanich farmer

Problems caused by Canada geese have gotten worse in recent years for local farmers. (Black Press Media file photo)
A consumer prepares to cook bacon from a freshly slaughtered pig. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is holding a SlaughterSafe course for farmers interested in obtaining a Class D slaughter licence. (LISA PETTERSON/Special to the AV News)

Alberni Farmers Institute offers slaughter training course

Alberni Valley residents interested in obtaining a Class D Slaughter License can take part

A consumer prepares to cook bacon from a freshly slaughtered pig. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is holding a SlaughterSafe course for farmers interested in obtaining a Class D slaughter licence. (LISA PETTERSON/Special to the AV News)
A great horned owl found dead near Kings Park was likely killed by rat poison. On Monday evening the District of Saanich voted unanimously to ban municipal use of anticoagulant rodenticides. (Photo Courtesy of Robert Vanzella)

Saanich bans use of rat poison in bid to save owls

Ban applies to municipal use only, district to try educating the public in bid to make them follow

A great horned owl found dead near Kings Park was likely killed by rat poison. On Monday evening the District of Saanich voted unanimously to ban municipal use of anticoagulant rodenticides. (Photo Courtesy of Robert Vanzella)
(The Canadian Press)

Farmers contest minister’s claim that grain-farmers’ carbon costs are tiny

The carbon tax is being rebated 100 per cent to households and through the Climate Action Incentive Fund

(The Canadian Press)
Cattle graze in a field at Arrowvale Farm and Campground on Hector Road near Port Alberni, B.C. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the News)

Island region one of three granted small-scale slaughter licensing status

Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District farmers can now apply for abattoir licence

Cattle graze in a field at Arrowvale Farm and Campground on Hector Road near Port Alberni, B.C. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the News)
Satnam Dheensaw of Gobind Farms planted 50 per cent less strawberries in response to a shortage in foreign agriculture workers. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Shortage of foreign workers costs Vancouver Island berry farmer thousands

Gobind Farms says hiring local has been difficult during pandemic

Satnam Dheensaw of Gobind Farms planted 50 per cent less strawberries in response to a shortage in foreign agriculture workers. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
Gobind Farms owner Satnam Dheensaw enjoys fresh strawberries with (from left) daughter Simria, 4, niece Mya, 9, and daughter Jasmine, 5. Although they are feeling the impact of a foreign worker shortage caused by COVID-19, the family farm has begun selling its roadside seasonal strawberries and is hopeful for a busy retail season. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Island farm stands opening for business with COVID-19 restrictions

Growers hopeful shoppers will support local farms

Gobind Farms owner Satnam Dheensaw enjoys fresh strawberries with (from left) daughter Simria, 4, niece Mya, 9, and daughter Jasmine, 5. Although they are feeling the impact of a foreign worker shortage caused by COVID-19, the family farm has begun selling its roadside seasonal strawberries and is hopeful for a busy retail season. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
The South Island Prosperity Partnership announced $12,500 in funding towards a feasibility study for a local abattoir. (Stef Laramie/News Staff)

Study looks at feasibility of Vancouver Island abattoir

South Island Prosperity Partnership funds study looking at local meat processing

The South Island Prosperity Partnership announced $12,500 in funding towards a feasibility study for a local abattoir. (Stef Laramie/News Staff)
Lorraine Buchanan feeds Charlie the guard donkey some treats at Parry Bay Sheep Farm. The donkey is one of three helping to protect the farm’s ewes from predators. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)

Vancouver Island farm using donkeys to protect sheep from bears, dogs

Trio of donkeys take tactics similar to sheep dogs to protect flock from predators

Lorraine Buchanan feeds Charlie the guard donkey some treats at Parry Bay Sheep Farm. The donkey is one of three helping to protect the farm’s ewes from predators. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)
Tom Michell says Michell’s Farm Market has been extremely busy, even with social distancing protocols in place. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Vancouver Island farmers hopeful despite strain of COVID-19 pandemic

Farmers face foreign worker shortage, physical distancing challenges

Tom Michell says Michell’s Farm Market has been extremely busy, even with social distancing protocols in place. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
Qualicum Beach Farmers Market manager Launie Elves shows a message to people who came in to purchase items. (Michael Briones photo)

COVID-19: Farmers market aims to help consumers and farmers while keeping the public safe

Parksville Qualicum Beach events currently operating at reduced capacity

Qualicum Beach Farmers Market manager Launie Elves shows a message to people who came in to purchase items. (Michael Briones photo)
North Vancouver Island communities join in to ‘squash the curve’

North Vancouver Island communities join in to ‘squash the curve’

Residents from Cumberland , Tahsis and Quadra Island are volunteering to grow winter squash on their lawns in a move towards sustainable food security

North Vancouver Island communities join in to ‘squash the curve’
Cattle graze in a field at Arrowvale Farm and Campground on Hector Road near Port Alberni, B.C. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the News)

Vancouver Island farmers demand on-site slaughtering

Group: COVID-19 pandemic puts supply chains at risk, permission sought to butcher and sell locally

  • Mar 30, 2020
Cattle graze in a field at Arrowvale Farm and Campground on Hector Road near Port Alberni, B.C. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the News)
Deborah Wytinck, who raises sheep on her pasture at Boxwood Road and Fern Road, is trying to get dog owners to stop throwing plastic bags containing their dogs’ poop over her fence. Parasites in dog feces that make their way into the grass could infect the sheep and sicken the animals. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo sheep farmer voices fears over flung dog feces

Deborah Wytinck worries parasites in dog feces tossed into pasture could infect her sheep

Deborah Wytinck, who raises sheep on her pasture at Boxwood Road and Fern Road, is trying to get dog owners to stop throwing plastic bags containing their dogs’ poop over her fence. Parasites in dog feces that make their way into the grass could infect the sheep and sicken the animals. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Farm Credit Canada is receiving a $5-billion lending increase. (File)

COVID-19: Help for agriculture industry as Farm Credit Canada receives $5B increase

The increase will give the agriculture industry more flexibility to tackle coming challenges

Farm Credit Canada is receiving a $5-billion lending increase. (File)
VIDEO: Saanich farm converts vegetable stand into veggie drive-thru as COVID-19 spreads

VIDEO: Saanich farm converts vegetable stand into veggie drive-thru as COVID-19 spreads

‘We’re evolving to meet the current times,’ Madrona Farms operator says

VIDEO: Saanich farm converts vegetable stand into veggie drive-thru as COVID-19 spreads
A ram escaped from a farm in Brentwood Bay on Sunday, slowing traffic on Benvenuto Avenue, but was captured by a local and returned home. (Tristan Chamings)

Escaped ram butts heads with Brentwood Bay traffic

The ram was captured and returned home by local farmer, police

  • Nov 25, 2019
A ram escaped from a farm in Brentwood Bay on Sunday, slowing traffic on Benvenuto Avenue, but was captured by a local and returned home. (Tristan Chamings)