Orchard & Vine Fruit Survey 2016

What was your greatest accomplishment this year?

  • "Built new picker camp, due to down-sizing was able to pay more attention to details."
  • "Purchased new farmland for expansion."
  • "Went from liquid fertigation to granular. Great production and new growth in shoots."
  • "Surviving the rain. "
  • "Paying down debt."
  • "Running a good operation."
  • "Making a profit even with all the bad weather for cherries."
  • "Had a great team in the office and in the farm gate operation."

Comments on the future of farming, food safety and production?

  • Saanich where I farm is generally progressive in farming practices, but I worry about the proliferation of pesticide intensive GMO crops elsewhere.
  • Growers are losing the access to chemicals which control important pests like cherry fruit fly and swd (lost diazinon this year). This can potentially impact our ability to grow a crop that can be exported.
  • Happy with direction we're going but don't see young people joining industry at a time when public wanting.
  • Consumers interested in local food and show willingness to pay.
  • Labour and cost of labour big concern.
  • If, when Canadian dollar goes to par we are in trouble.

What types of fruit do you grow?

  • Blueberries
  • Cherries
  • Apples
  • Strawberries
  • Peaches
  • Raspberries
  • Nectarines
  • Apricots
  • Vegetables
  • Grapes (wine)
  • Grapes (table)
  • Plums
  • Niche Berries

What type of crop produced the best for you this year?

  • Blueberries
  • Cherries
  • Apples
  • Peaches
  • Strawberries
  • Grapes
  • Raspberries