As my retirement from the BC Fruit Growers’ Association nears — and with the start of a new year — it is time for retrospection.
When I arrived to take on the role of BCFGA general manager in 1998 (yes, last century), the apple sector was in a downturn and cherries were a new, exciting crop. The industry has had its ups and downs in the past 25 years, with the current apple and cherry challenges caused by markets or weather.
In 1998, there was concern when the Washington state apple production exceeded 80 million boxes, but now Washington state production potential is closer to 150 million boxes. On the cherry side, production in the first half of August was a new concept, and since 1998 has shifted out two or more weeks. In 25 years, we may think of September harvests as a normal part of the cherry season.
Labour was and is a large concern for the tree fruit sector. In 1998, the berry sector had seen worker shortages and tree fruits were just starting to feel a pinch. The governments of the day (of all stripes) seemed to take the stance: as long as there is one unemployed person in B.C., there could be no temporary foreign worker program.
Industry persisted: berry and tree fruit surveys noted that crops were being lost due to labour shortages. In tree fruits, we had expected the shortages to be in cherries. In fact, apple crops were at risk due to Quebecois orchard workers going home at the end of August.
We explained demographics to policymakers (more urbanized population, fewer youth willing to work on farms), and in 2004, the province approved the startup of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). Since then, farm workers from the Caribbean and Mexico have taken an ever-larger part in the harvest of B.C. crops.
In the Okanagan, four Mexican workers were on the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program in 2004. Today, there are about 1,500 Caribbean (mainly Jamaican) and 2,500 Mexican workers in the program working in the Okanagan — about 54 percent of the total SAWP workers in B.C. This assured supply of farm workers is not without cost, and it has been an ongoing effort of the BCFGA to make the program as practical as possible for growers while protecting the integrity of the program and protecting the program from the many critics from outside the agriculture sector.
The acreage changes between types of tree fruits and grapes have shifted over time and will continue to shift. In 1998, cherries had been through a steep decline in acreage to less than 1,000 acres due to high rates of rain split in older, early varieties (does anyone grow Bing anymore?).
Little cherry virus had spread throughout the cherry production area and whole blocks were removed. Over time, better sanitation in handling and planting nursery tree stock cleaned up the little cherry virus issue (but little cherry virus is re-emerging as a concern). Then, and now, the split-resistant and later-season cherry varieties breathed new life into the sector.
Entrepreneurs took up the opportunity and new ways of marketing cherries to new areas of the world, resulting in a nimble cherry sector that could adapt, be profitable and expand.
On the apple side, Ambrosia originated on the Wilfrid and Sally Mennell farm orchard in the Similkameen Valley in the early 1990s, preceding my arrival as general manager; however, it really took off after the New Tree Fruit Varieties Development Council (NVDC) was created and invested in research and marketing. Back then, Red Delicious was still king. Now, Ambrosia is the largest produced variety in B.C.
While apple prices in B.C., including Ambrosia prices, have declined recently, there is an opportunity to reinvigorate the variety. Other parts of the world that produce Ambrosia are having superior results in the marketplace compared to the birthplace of Ambrosia. Industry collaboration has been identified as a key to getting the market “back on its feet.” If you believe Ambrosia is the best variety and everyone works collaboratively, then Ambrosia will be the number one apple sold in the store, as has been demonstrated by packers, the NVDC (growers), and Costco in Western Canada.
Beyond labour and marketing, there are many challenges and opportunities that are in need of renewal. The tree fruit industry is a system and many parts require and are getting attention. Extension, crop protection, government programs and access to new varieties/rootstocks and the import of nursery stock are in dire need of improvement and reinvention. New perspectives and renewed energy will be required for progress on these many, often interlocking, issues.
The involvement of young growers (four BCFGA board directors are under the age of 40) and the succession plans of growers and the BCFGA will lead to reinvigoration and new ways of addressing the many challenges facing the industry and perhaps change the challenges into strengths and opportunities.
Looking back, I am proud to have contributed to many projects and original initiatives, such as the Pesticide Applicator Certificate points, the online Tree Fruit Production Guide and the cloud-based pesticide database that underlies the spray schedules, the BCFGA Hort Forum, and when times were tough, the tractor rallies and protest on the legislature. All of these initiatives required a team composed of growers, BCFGA directors and staff, many service providers and advisors, government and industry staff and partners in other associations.
As retirement looms (March 4), I reflect on the great relationships, characters, mentors and partners through the years. Many colleagues will be lifelong friends. Though I am retiring from the BCFGA general manager position, my heart is with the industry and I will remain involved as opportunities arise, but in a different role. I will support the new general manager, Melissa Tesche, who has strong management experience from the Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program and will bring new energy and direction to the BCFGA while maintaining its traditions.
Without reserve, I recommend that growers “rally round” to support their association, your board of directors and new BCFGA general manager. As Benjamin Franklin said, “We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” Your BCFGA has evolved throughout its 135-year history because its membership is strong and engaged.
All things change, but how we adapt to change ensures our survival and our success. The types and varieties of fruit may change, but the love of the farmer for the land and answering the call to nourish the world is constant.
