Congratulations Orchard & Vine - Where to Now?

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The Agriculture Sector in the Okanagan has long roots, and the BCFGA appreciates Orchard & Vine Magazine’s similarly long coverage of current events, issues and best horticultural practices. Once known as “The Orchardist”, the magazine was, at times in the past, a partnership with some BCFGA investment. Now Orchard & Vine is fully independent.

The roots of Orchard & Vine go back 60 years, to 1959. The Beatles were formed in 1960! As we celebrate Orchard & Vine’s milestone, it is interesting to reflect on some of the history of the tree fruit sector.

  • 1811 – McIntosh apple discovered in Ontario
  • 1889 – British Columbia Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA) established
  • 1905 – Approximately 30,000 acres under tree fruit cultivation
  • 1911 – Approximately 2,000,000 apple trees planted
  • 1914 – BCFGA membership rose to almost 700
  • 1914 – Summerland Research Centre established
  • 1919 – Soldier resettlement irrigation project started in south Okanagan
  • 1920 – Public irrigation districts enabled
  • 1931 – BCFGA purchases “Country Life in BC” newspaper
  • 1933 –A Cent A Pound Or On The Ground – grower protest
  • 1936 – Spartan apple developed at Summerland Research Centre (Dr. R.C. Palmer)
  • 1939 – B.C. Tree Fruits Limited formed by BCFGA
  • 1946 – B.C. Fruit Processors (later SunRype) formed by BCFGA
  • 1950 – Over 350,000 fruit trees in the Okanagan killed by cold winter temperatures
  • 1956 – Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage introduced
  • 1958 – Royal Commission on the BC Fruit Industry
  • 1969 – First BCFGA Horticultural Forum held
  • 1970 – First Golden Apple Award – Jim Stuart of Kelowna
  • 1973 – Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) established
  • 1975 – Sweetheart cherry developed at Summerland Research Station – released in 1994
  • 1979 – Tetra packaging introduced by Sun-Rype Products Ltd.
  • 1981 – First trees planted in BCFGA Test Orchard
  • 1988 – More than 27,000 acres of fruit orchards reported in BC
  • 1989 – BCFGA Centennial celebration
  • 1990 – Lusztig report released on the state of the BC tree fruit industry
  • 1991 – Replant Program introduced to renew orchards - high density apples new standard
  • 1992 – Ambrosia apple discovered by Wilf and Sally Mennel as a chance seedling in an orchard in Cawston.
  • 1992 - Sterile Insect Release Program established
  • 1996 – Sun-Rype Products Ltd. listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange
  • 2004 – Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program launched (Mexico, Caribbean)
  • 2006 - New Variety Development Council established to promote new varieties (now Ambrosia)
  • 2008 – Cooperative amalgamation completed - at one time over 20, now 1.
  • 2014 - Web-based Tree Fruit Production Guide Introduced (www.bctfpg.com)
  • 2018 - Decision Aid System (DAS) introduced by SIR program

Where will we go next? If the rest of the economy is any guide, the future holds many new technological advances.

Our crystal ball includes: robotic harvesters, minimal or no pesticide programs as new ways of controlling pests are discovered; and more automation of packinghouses including new ways of determining storage and eating quality to optimize grower returns.

We will also see more control of the orchard microclimate using light-reflecting fabric, possibly shading if climate change creates intensive heat and sun issues, and improved use of irrigation water (with governance that assures affordable water for agriculture, now that those public irrigation districts are disappearing).

Labour needs, though reduced, will continue to be sourced from off-shore, but Mexico’s new affluence will mean that new groups of migrant workers from other countries will travel to work in Okanagan orchards. Orchard conditions will be remotely monitored and workers, orchardists, and the service sector will be connected and create a highly managed orchard that targets specific markets. For example, the apples from a block will be destined for a specific retailer in a specific country.

The cidery industry will mature and be considered along with the Okanagan wine industry as a world leader. But one thing will never change, and that is the great reputation of BC farmers and the best growing climate for apples and cherries in the world! Thanks to Orchard and Vine for contributing to the industry’s success!

BCFGA: www.bcfga.com