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$100 million to replace
tree fruit, grape and berry
crops, which are especially
vulnerable to climate change.
Funds were also earmarked
for crop protection, B.C.
fruit marketing and more.
In February the government
announced an additional $10
million to help farmers catch
up on bills.
Farmers are incredibly
resilient, she adds; they also
understand that in calmer
years, it's essential to plan for
the next big curve ball. "I think
we're going to have a good
year, which we haven't had for
a while. That's what we mostly
need," says Popham. "Because
if we keep having failure after
failure every year, it's not
affordable, and there probably
isn't enough money to be able
to fix the problem."
Brar agrees that, more than
anything, farmers need a good
year. The government funds
have helped, but after years
of climate crises, for many it
hasn't been nearly enough.
On his family farm, they
have ripped out a block of
peach trees and are replanting,
which represents a sizable
investment. "For how much
we pay per acre here, I need
something that produces a lot
of fruit to make it worth it,"
he says. "If you're spending
$200,000 to 250,000 per
acre, I need something that
will actually make some
money back."
Many growers have exited
the industry, he says, and
more are thinking of following
suit. Others are still going but
wondering why they're doing
it, while securing loans and
credit lines with their banks.
Smaller farms are selling
to larger operations, which is
creating consolidation—but
even those who have 50 acres
still have to work side jobs,
says Brar. Climate mitigation
measures are costly, he adds,
and insurance costs are
going up while coverage is
coming down—and unlike
crop farmers who can simply
plant more profitable crops,
his family's business has
deep roots.
"I'm not a canola grower
who can switch to soybeans. I
plant a tree, and my tree needs
to last me 25 years," says Brar,
who is hopeful that this season
marks a more "normal" year.
"There's always going to be
rain, there's always going to be
something. I've dealt with that
my whole life," he says. "But
this has to be the year."
—
LEADERS
FOR A COMPLEX WORLD
BCIT welcomes Navida Suleman as Chief Financial Officer and VP, Administration
Navida brings over 25 years of financial leadership experience across publicly
listed, private, and member-owned organizations. Most recently, she served
as Senior VP and CFO at BCAA.
As CFO and VP, Administration at BCIT, Navida oversees a broad portfolio
including Financial Services, Campus Planning, IT Services, Corporate Services,
and Risk. Her commitment to financial sustainability is pivotal to advancing
BCIT's Strategic Plan and realizing our vision of empowering people, shaping BC,
and inspiring global progress.
Congratulations Navida!
