PENTICTON – The BC Fruit Growers Association (BCFGA) and Hanna and Hanna Orchards have been important contributors to the Okanagan economy and provincial agriculture industry for more than 100 years. Today, Agriculture and Lands Minister Pat Bell recognized their history with a Century Farm Award.
“It is important to honour our past and acknowledge B.C.’s rich agricultural heritage,” said Bell. “By looking at the past and learning from our history, we can plan for a bright future for the agricultural industry.”
Century Farm Awards are designed to honour pioneers whose farms or ranches have been in the family for 100 years or more. The BCFGA, established in 1889, is one of the oldest farming associations in Canada. Hanna and Hanna Farms, a predominantly fruit-growing operation based in Salmon Arm, began in 1907.
“This award is significant to us as we celebrate 118 years in existence,” said Joe Sardinha, president of the BC Fruit Growers Association. “The endurance of our industry is dependent on numerous sectors collaborating together over many years of hard work and solidarity.”
The Century Farm Award program was recently expanded to include a farm or ranch that has been owned and operated by the same family for 100 years or more, but whose owners do not now live on it or operate it, or where the farm business has moved from one location to another and remained active. It also now includes farming institutes or industry associations that have been active for 100 years.
Minister Bell also explained how the $3 million provincial funding announced in July will be allocated for the treefruit and grape industries. Provincial funding is going towards a replant program, targeted to new and high market potential varieties, established by an industry steering committee. The BCFGA will be accepting applications from orchards in early December.
“The tree fruit and grape industry have fully embraced their strategic plan, and this funding will help them to move forward,” said Bell. “We value the industry’s commitment to embracing change and working towards common goals.”
For more information on the Century Farm Award program, contact your local Ministry of Agriculture and Lands office or visit www.agf.gov.bc.ca/regional/CenturyFarmAwards/CenturyFarms.htm.
http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2007AL0052-001456.htm