Certified Organic Associations of BC
3002 32 Ave # 202 V1T 2L7 Vernon, BC, Canada

Please join us in congratulating our 2021 COABC Award winners, Mary Alice Johnson, Rod Reid and Arzeena Hamir! Head over to our blog to learn more about the winners and why they're so incredibly deserving of their awards!

The 2021 BC Organic Conference live event is underway! We just heard opening remarks from Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, and Ian Patton, Official Opposition Critic for Agriculture. There are some big announcements coming from the provincial government on food hubs, support for local seed production, and changes to meat regulationsstay tuned! And now we're enjoying a keynote from Darrin Qualman of National Farmers Union!

...to get tickets to the 2021 BC Organic Conference live event! (Get 'em at https://bcorganic2021.eventbrite.ca.) Starting at 9 am tomorrow, join us as we bring BC's organic community together in an all new format: an online session featuring our keynote address, COABC award recipients, Q&A's with podcast guests, our photo contest, and our annual visioning discussion. As always, this is a chance to learn from experts, connect with other members of BC's organic community, and help shape the future of BC's organic sector. And don't forget, your ticket also gives you access to our podcast series! Looking forward to seeing all of your bright and shining faces tomorrow -- BYO organic feast!

You only have until Sunday (that's tomorrow!) at 4 pm to place your bids in the 2021 BC Organic Conference silent auction! Anyone can bid - not just ticket holders. We've added lots of new things, so be sure to check it out and snag some fun items, including unique goods and services donated by members of our organic community! https://www.32auctions.com/coabc

Curious about alternative ways to pass the farm onto the next generation? Already neck-deep in farm transition? On March 3, join Young Agrarians for "Planning for Non-Family Farm Transition" with Darcy Smith! Darcy is Young Agrarians' BC Land Matching Program (BCLMP) Manager and is also the editor of the BC Organic Grower, our quarterly publication! Info and registration at: https://youngagrarians.org/march-3-2021-planning-for-non-fa

BC Farmers Markets is hiring a Membership & Programs Lead! This is a full-time, remote position (work from anywhere in BC!) that covers a 14-month parental leave contract. You have until Dec. 3rd to apply. Full details at: https://bcfarmersmarket.org/about-us/job-opportunities

Sending our gratitude to Fresh Valley Farms, Nature's Fare Markets, Rancho Vignola and HOT BREAD Shoppe for donating food for our Board of Directors planning meeting earlier this week!

Last spring, filmmaker Devon Cooke packed up his Burnaby basement suite and headed for Vancouver Island's Amara Farm. With zero farm experience and no particular desire to be a labourer, his journey wasn't quite what he expected... Read more in the Fall 2020 issue of the BC Organic Grower: https://bcorganicgrower.ca//a-city-boy-goes-to-work-on-the

Each September, Ashala Daniel of Solstedt Organics sows her fields with winter rye hoping the seed takes root before the first snows fall. It’s a ritual that could help save the planet. Read more via the National Observer: https://www.nationalobserver.com//warmer-winters-freeze-th

Early-bird tickets are now on sale for the 2021 BC Organic Conference! Join us on Feb 27 - 28, 2021 for a blend of online and in-person events, including socially distanced farm tours, a podcast series, a virtual tradeshow and an online gathering featuring speakers and topics that will inspire, educate, and provoke conversation among our community members! Get your tickets at https://bcorganic2021.eventbrite.ca and be sure to join our 2021 BC Organic Conference event page for the latest updates and details!