Organic BC

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

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

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

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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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

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

In this final episode of our two-part miniseries, three BC-based producers share real-world experiences of using grazing to manage weeds on their farms.

Through practical case studies addressing knapweed, Canada thistle, and an unidentified invasive grass, farmers discuss lessons learned from a multi-year targeted grazing project and how livestock can become a powerful tool for pasture management.

🎧 Listen now at: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/bcdcad9b-e744-4fc3-904a-ae9e6d25bcb6

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

Trying something new on the farm isn’t always easy. There’s already a lot to manage, and improving an existing system takes time, money, and comes with some risk.

But there’s a way forward: On-farm demonstration research is a practical tool that allows farmers to evaluate a new practice, product, or technology in a more nimble and simple way.

For a look at some nifty on-farm research that’s been happening on BC’s South Coast (that might inspire you to undertake a similar trial of your own!), check out this article in the BC Organic Grower: bcorganicgrower.ca/2025/10/value-of-on-farm-demonstration-research

It's a new season for growing—and learning! Stay connected to the latest organic research by tuning into podcasts from Organic BC, Manitoba Organics and Organic Science Cluster 4! 🎧 ↓

🌱 Tis the season for podcasts!

Spring is in the air and you're on the move—but that doesn’t mean missing out on Organic Science Cluster 4 research. 🌼🎧

Catch up wherever you are with new podcast episodes from Organic BC, Manitoba Organics and our very own film-to-podcast series.

Tune in, stay informed, and keep growing! 🌿

OSC4 Podcasts https://buff.ly/FIMd1oz
Organic BC Podcasts https://buff.ly/0Vg8e8S
MB Organics Podcast https://buff.ly/deMXyId