Organic BC

09/02/2026

On Friday, October 2nd, join Organic BC and Ecocert Canada at Lakeland Farms in Salmon Arm for a hands-on day exploring cover cropping, soil health, and drought resilience.

Tour Lakeland Farms and learn more about their business model and where cover cropping fits in, along with the economics of cover cropping, the tools used to manage hundreds of acres of cover crops, and how they’re integrating cattle grazing into their cover crops.

You’ll also hear from agrologist Tanya Brouwers on using cover crops to build soil organic matter, retain moisture, and strengthen farm resilience, and will have the opportunity to take part in simple, practical soil assessments you can use on your own farm.

Refreshments and snacks will be generously provided by Askew's Foods.

This event is free and open to anyone interested, but registration is required. Learn more and save your spot at: eventbrite.ca/e/cover-cropping-drought-resilience-soil-assessment-lakeland-farms-tickets-1998671910487

Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) – On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF).

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

09/02/2026

Yesterday, we attended the Soil Health & On-Farm Demonstration Research Field Day at Willems Berry Farm, organized by E.S. Cropconsult. We heard from farmers about a range of on-farm cover cropping trials, including cover crop mixes in the alleyways and biofumigation cover crops for nematode control. We also learned about trials led by Organic BC and the University of the Fraser Valley exploring the use of w**d matting for w**d control in blueberries!

09/01/2026

It’s Organic Month! 🌱

Throughout September, we’re exploring what it means to be organic—and why it matters.

Organic is about more than what’s on a label. It’s about healthy soil, biodiversity, thriving ecosystems, climate resilience, and farmers caring for the land.

It’s also about all of us. The choices we make, the systems we support, and the communities we build all play a role in creating a more sustainable food system.

All month long, we’ll share facts, stories, and insights while celebrating the people helping grow a healthier future—together.

📲 Help spread the word: Find shareable social graphics, ready-to-use messaging, and more ways to get involved at organicbc.org/organic-month-2026!

08/28/2026

Registration is now open for Canadian Organic Growers' Organic Vegetable Seed Production course (OVSP)! ⁠

OVSP is a comprehensive seed production and business training course for Canadian farmers. This course aims to cultivate the next generations of Canadian seed producers who envision a future where organic seed security and integrity is increased, organic farmers have access to resilient and adaptive seed, and alternative seed systems are flourishing.⁠
⁠
📅 The course runs from January 11th to March 12th, 2027. Final course assignment is due on March 28th, 2027.
💻️ The course is national in scope, self-directed, 100% online, and includes six live virtual learning sessions⁠.
👩‍🎓 Tuition is $500.00/CAD per student and spaces are limited⁠.
✅️ Register by November 13th, 2026.

And don’t forget, Canadian Organic Growers is also offering their Cover Crop Certification for Professionals course this fall. The registration deadline is approaching - register by September 7th, 2026!

Learn more about Canadian Organic Grower’s courses and register at https://cog.ca/courses/

08/27/2026

🌱 Sponsor shoutout!

A huge thank you to some of our incredible sponsors who help make our work possible!

→ Nammex
→ Creekside Cheese + Creamery
→ Pearl Agricultural Consulting
→ Agrotek

Your support helps turn big ideas into meaningful action—helping us build stronger communities, protect and restore healthy ecosystems, and shape a more resilient food system grounded in environmental stewardship and sustainability for generations to come.

We’re grateful to have you alongside us in this work. 💚

08/26/2026

Don’t miss out! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay in the loop about what’s happening in our community, important updates and opportunities, and a look ahead at what’s coming up, including fresh events, videos, podcasts and other practical resources.

Subscribe now at: organicbc.org/newsletter

08/17/2026

🌱 What can BC's organic community learn from Denmark—and the rest of the world?

Last August, Eva-Lena Lang joined Gillian Flies (The New Farm) and Katie Fettes (Canadian Organic Growers) on a learning journey to Copenhagen for the Organic Summit, thanks to a generous donation from Renewal Partners.

Along the way, they met with Organic Denmark and explored how the country has built one of the world's strongest organic sectors, while also gathering insights from farmers, researchers, policymakers, and organic leaders from across Europe and beyond.

The result is a story about collaboration, innovation, and the big ideas that can help shape the future of organic agriculture here at home. 💚

Read the full story in the BC Organic Grower! bcorganicgrower.ca/2026/02/an-organic-journey-in-denmark

08/10/2026

A new member benefit has arrived!

We’re excited to welcome West Coast Seeds as our newest Member Benefit Partner. ​Organic farm and business members can now access 10% off all seed products.

🥬 Visit westcoastseeds.com to start planning your next crop!

Organic BC membership connects you with a community working to strengthen organic agriculture and build a more resilient food system in BC. Members enjoy exclusive benefits like this one, as well as education and training, advocacy, marketing support, and opportunities to connect and collaborate.

Discover the benefits at organicbc.org/membership

08/05/2026

🌱🎥 Something’s growing behind the scenes…

Sarah’s out in the field capturing footage for an upcoming video project that follows one field through a full season of cover cropping.

We’re following the journey as it unfolds, with the finished video coming later this year.

While you wait, catch up on more of our videos on our YouTube channel! → youtube.com/

08/04/2026

More neat research from Organic Science Cluster 4! Could electricity offer a chemical-free alternative to herbicides/desiccants such as glyphosate, saflufenacil and diquat? Check out the latest dry bean agronomy research to find out! 🫘 https://buff.ly/VSi7Whj

Desiccation is common practice in dry bean production, accelerating uniform crop dry down before harvest.

In conventional systems, herbicides/desiccants such as glyphosate, saflufenacil and diquat are commonly used - although glyphosate has fallen out of favour due to concerns over residues on beans exceeding export market residue limits.

Could electricity offer a chemical-free alternative?

As part of his OSC4 research on organic dry bean agronomy and w**d management, AAFC researcher Rob Nurse has found that desiccation by electricity can be as effective as using herbicides, particularly in less bushy bean classes like navy and black beans.

⚡️ An innovative approach providing a new tool for organic growers - or anyone looking for a chemical-free alternative to minimize residue levels.

Learn more about the OSC4 dry bean agronomy research: https://buff.ly/VSi7Whj

🌱 Stay in the loop with OSC4! 🌱
For the latest news, updates, and insights, follow us on:
👉 Facebook:
👉 Instagram: