Organic BC

06/19/2026

Did you know that Canada currently imports nearly five times as many certified organic blueberries as it exports? This imbalance puts pressure on both organic and conventional growers and highlights a major opportunity to strengthen local production.

But good news: Organic BC is excited to share that we’ve received an Agricultural Enhancement Grant through the Abbotsford Community Foundation to help blueberry growers build resilience, reduce risk, and open up new possibilities for BC-grown berries!

We’re looking forward to working alongside Abbotsford’s blueberry community through on-farm demonstration and research trials, and sharing actionable results.

Thank you to the Abbotsford Community Foundation for investing in local agricultural innovation!

🫐 Learn more → https://abbotsfordcf.org/were-awarding-151000-for-blueberry-research-in-abbotsford/

06/17/2026

What if the price of food is only half the story?

Deloitte’s The Hidden Bill explores Dutch agriculture through true cost accounting, revealing environmental damage, health impacts, and societal costs that are quietly passed on to citizens and future generations.

When these hidden costs are finally made visible, one conclusion becomes increasingly hard to ignore: Organic agriculture is not a luxury, but an economic necessity.

Deloitte’s The Hidden Bill is more than an economic study — it is a wake-up call. By applying true cost accounting to Dutch agriculture, the report exposes what conventional balance sheets leave out: the environmental damage, health impacts, and societal costs that are quietly passed on to citiz...

06/15/2026

06/11/2026

Did you know that you can support Organic BC every time you score a new read from New Society Publishers?

We're proud to be part of New Society Publishers' affiliate program! When you buy through our affiliate link, a portion of your purchase supports Organic BC's work advancing organic agriculture across BC—at no extra cost to you.

So whether you're looking for gardening guides, farming resources, or sustainability inspiration, your next great read can help grow the organic movement too.

Shop with this link to make a difference: newsociety.com/?aff=72

06/04/2026

Meet the newest member of the Organic BC Board!

Kerry McCann is the co-founder of Laughing Crow Organics, a certified organic vegetable and flower farm on 15 leased acres in the Pemberton Valley, on the unceded territories of the St’át’imc and Lil̓wat Nations. For over thirteen years, she built and operated a diversified farm with 12 acres in cultivation, rooted in stewardship, community engagement, and direct-to-market sales, including CSA, farmers’ markets, wholesale, and agritourism.

As she transitions from active farm management, Kerry is focused on supporting farmers through collaboration, education, and practical approaches to building resilience in agriculture, while contributing to broader sector conversations.

Meet Kerry and the rest of our awesome volunteer Board—the passionate people helping Organic BC grow and thrive → organicbc.org/our-team

05/28/2026

Organizations from across Canada have sent a joint letter to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada expressing urgent concern regarding the planned closure of the Organic and Regenerative Research Program at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre.

The letter follows the recent report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, "Science in Canadian Agriculture and the Closure of Research Centres", which recommended that the Government of Canada “reconsider its decision to cancel the organic and regenerative program at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre.” The signors are calling on AAFC to immediately pause any actions that could compromise long-term organically managed trial land and authorize planned 2026 field operations to proceed.

The Organic and Regenerative Research Program is the only dedicated organic research program at AAFC and, in contrast to facility closures, is slated for closure at a research facility that remains fully operational.

Read the full letter at https://cog.ca/blog/organizations-call-on-aafc-to-pause-closure-of-swift-current-organic-research-program/

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan
Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network
Canadian Federation of Agriculture
Choose Canada Organic
Common Frontiers
Agrobio Québec
Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario - EFAO
Équiterre
Farmers For Climate Solutions - Fermiers pour la transition climatique
Food Secure Canada / Réseau pour une alimentation durable
Friends of the Earth Canada
Growers of Organic Food Yukon
Manitoba Organics
National Farmers Union / L'Union nationale des fermiers
Ontario Organic
Organic BC
Prairie Food System Vision
Prairie Oat Growers Association
Régénération Canada
SaskOrganics
Sask Wheat
SeedChange / Sème l’avenir
Young Agrarians

05/25/2026

Boost biodiversity and buffer vineyard landscapes with the right perimeter plantings! 🍇 Explore the latest research from Organic Science Cluster 4: https://www.organic-science-canada.ca/horticulture/promoting-an-integrative-landscape-approach-in-vineyards-for-greater-resilience-in-the-face-of-climatic-and-environmental-changes/

Perimeter plantings can boost biodiversity and buffer vineyard landscapes — but species selection matters. 🌿🍇

Dr. Vasseur’s team shared “Potential Species in Vineyard Perimeter Plantings” to help identify beneficial and problematic species for healthier vineyard ecosystems.

Find the factsheet on Dr. Vasseur's OSC4 webpage under Additional Links and Resources. https://www.organic-science-canada.ca/horticulture/promoting-an-integrative-landscape-approach-in-vineyards-for-greater-resilience-in-the-face-of-climatic-and-environmental-changes/

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05/20/2026

Cover crops are an effective way to protect and feed your soil while supporting healthy crops and strong yields.

To learn more about this helpful soil management practice, take a look at Organic BC’s Cover Cropping 101 guide, which covers the key benefits of cover cropping along with tips on selecting the perfect cover crop!

Explore this guide and discover more tools and resources in the Organic BC Resource Library: organicbc.org/resources-library

05/11/2026

The Spring/Summer issue of the BC Organic Grower is just around the corner! 🌱

Did you know that most Organic BC membership tiers include a subscription to the magazine—along with access to education, resources, and a strong network of organic producers, experts, and allies across the province?

Sign up today! organicbc.org/membership

📸 Square Root Farm on the Saanich Peninsula, the spotlight of this issue's featured Organic Story