Good Fruit Grower

January 2017

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28 JANUARY 1, 2017 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com British Columbia's government replant program aims at farm renewal, not just new varieties. by Peter Mitham F ruit growers in British Columbia, Canada, have received millions of dollars to replant orchards with new, higher value varieties since the prov- ince's landmark replant program debuted in 1991. Now, a new version of the program implemented in 2015 is making growers think twice about their farm oper- ations. Rather than handing out funds on a first-come, first-served basis, it requires a detailed application that promises to make the program more accountable — not just to government, but to the future. The first year of this new program saw approxi- mately 200 acres replanted, and the B.C. Fruit Growers' Association received applications to renovate an addi- tional 225 acres in 2016. "It's done a very good job of encouraging the industry in the Similkameen, Okanagan and Creston area to look at their farms, to look toward the future a little bit and make those decisions that hopefully produce a better economic return," said Carl Withler, provincial tree fruit and grape specialist with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture. The time taken to develop a strategy for replanting activities has helped increase the value of the program to growers, according to Withler. Rather than simply dole out funds to replant orchards, the new program helps to match varieties to location and ensure that the program funds trees that are actually available. "We might have seen in the past where people received funding and planted undersized trees; may have received funding and may not have had trees to put in the ground; may have put trees in the ground and may not have had the trellis work associated with it to hold it in place as it matures," Withler said. "Through this application process, review and inspec - tion process, we're confirming that irrigation, trellis and the plantings are actually taking place, and we're applying funding to those that have done the work," he said. While some growers may find themselves unable to secure trees under the current program, the checks and balances mean they don't receive funding until replanting occurs and inspection is complete. Payments to growers for the 200 acres renovated under the 2015 program were completed by March 31, 2016. Replanting recharged "Through this application process, review and inspection process, we're confirming that irrigation, trellis and the plantings are actually taking place, and we're applying funding to those that have done the work." —Carl Withler 360.333.4044 Casey Schoenberger Mount Vernon, WA Natural Fish Fertilizers for Organic Crop Production ORCHARDS VINEYARDS DRAMM Manitowoc, WI • U.S.A. www.FishFertilizer.com FRUIT Extremely high levels of available Calcium & Phosphorus 2017 Empire State Producers Expo January 16-19, 2017 Join us for the Expo at the Oncenter in Syracuse, NY and the Becker Forum hosted at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool. Visit our website to register www.nysvga.org and to see the complete program, lodging information, and directions. For more information visit www.nysvga.org or email NYSVegetableGrowers@gmail.com e 2017 Empire State Producers Expo will take place on January 17-19 at the OnCenter Convention Center in Syracuse, NY. is annual show combines the major fruit, ower, vegetable, and direct marketing associations of New York State in order to provide a comprehensive trade show and educational conference for New York producers, as well as neighboring states and Eastern Canada. In years past, over 100 presentations were given by Cornell Cooperative Extension personnel and highly regarded speakers from across the country. Panel discussions feature some of the top industry experts and growers in New York. Between educational sessions, attendees can visit the trade show featuring over 150 commercial vendors and non-pro t exhibitors. • 2017 Becker Forum: Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)/Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Training. e New York State Vegetable Growers Association in conjunction with the Produce Safety Alliance (a collaboration between Cornell University, FDA and USDA) are pleased to announce that one of the fi rst producer trainings to meet the requirements of Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) will be off ered during the Becker Forum on January 16, 2017 in Liverpool, NY. is 7-hour training will provide the required training for farms to meet the Produce Safety Rule. • Berry Grower Protected Culture Workshop on Tuesday, January 17. • GAPs Day 2 - Writing Your Own Food Safety Plan Workshop on Tuesday, January 17.

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