This episode: my interview with Chris Bodnar, a University of the Fraser Valley professor (https://www.ufv.ca/agriculture/meet-the-team/chris-bodnar.htm) and long time Abbotsford-based farmer. Chris is the primary author of a recently published report titled Farming at the Edge (https://farmingattheedge.ca/), commissioned by the BC Agriculture Council and BC Dairy. In it, Chris presents a financial analysis of our sector that tells a different story than the one that Statistics Canada has told in its most recent report on BC’s Farm Economy. This analysis led Chris to a bold set of policy recommendations for our sector that he shares in the report. Chris joined me on the phone in mid-September to talk about his findings. Here’s that conversation.
Also featured: a visit to the Farming in BC tradeshow to learn about a conference (https://holisticmanagement.ca/2026-bc-conference/) Holistic Management Canada is hosting in Kamloops November 20-22.
16 Sept 2026
ADHD as a Strength & Weakness in Our Efforts to Preserve Seed Diversity
Today on the show, a conversation with Richard Hebda about seed security and seed conservation. Richard is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Victoria and an expert in botany and paleontology, and a curator of botany and earth history at the Royal BC Museum. Richard has published research for decades on many topics, but what’s worth noting here is that much of his research has focused on the impacts of climate change on natural and human-influenced ecosystems.
Richard joined me to talk about a project aimed at preserving and adapting heritage seeds in the context of a changing climate, although mostly we talk about what's going well, and what's lacking, in our collective efforts to slow down the loss of our seed diversity.
You can learn more at heritagepotato.ca (https://heritagepotato.ca/), although the URL will soon change to cropclimate.ca
Mentioned in this episode:
The Cover Cropping Field Day Advertised at the Head of this Episode
Head to https://organicbc.org/events/ to register for the field day at Lakeland Farms on October 2nd.
Here's a summary:
On Friday, October 2nd, join Organic BC and Ecocert at Lakeland Farms in Salmon Arm for a hands-on day exploring cover cropping, soil health, and drought resilience.
Tour Lakeland Farms and learn more about their business model and where cover cropping fits in, along with the economics of cover cropping, the tools used to manage hundreds of acres of cover crops, and how they’re integrating cattle grazing into their cover crops. You’ll also hear from agrologist Tanya Brouwers on using cover crops to build soil organic matter, retain moisture, and strengthen farm resilience, and will have the opportunity to take part in simple, practical soil assessments you can use on your own farm.
Refreshments and snacks will be generously provided by Askew’s Foods.
This event is free and open to anyone interested, but registration is required. Learn more and save your spot at: eventbrite.ca/e/cover-cropping-drought-resilience-soil-assessment-lakeland-farms-tickets-1998671910487
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).
3 Sept 2026
Your Thoughts on ALR Reforms
The BC Ministry of Ag has proposed rule changes for food processing in the ALR that would make it much easier to build food processing facilities on classes 4-7 land, with a much lower requirement for the use of BC-produced food.
I've already produced two episodes about this; in this one I'll share some listener feedback about this topic.
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The proposed rule is as follows: On class 5-7 soil (and class 4 if the parcel is serviced by the date this rule is implemented), ALC approval is not necessary to build food processing plants in the ALR, so long as 5 percent of the primary product used in the processing is grown or raised in the province.
Read the Ministry of Ag's proposal and discussion paper here. (https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESaQHuR6pNImJ_GGFxRakTZRN6MZS3eKAwEtnB8lMUzZo0pmgVVLVeWvzsPnnl7VcFF28d30Hp3IMoUmB_frEcPiDyi2cwd--uOH0DGtSv_eMaIKavu8mco0aGOsfDUWloXJNfIkbRrG_5aw==)
You can tell the government what you think of this proposal by emailing Ag Minister Popham at AF.Minister@gov.bc.ca
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