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Farming tree fruits is a multifaceted profession. Growers need to master crop production, insect and disease biology, crop protection products and practices, mechanics, irrigation, fruit physiology, human resource management, and financial management, to name a few. Time management and priority-setting may be the most important skills for farm operators! One of the ways of organizing and focusing on a skill is to participate in an organized program.
Certification programs seek to structure or codify the knowledge and practices required to master the area of focus, such as the CanadaGAP food safety program and related international food safety programs, Environmental Farm Plans, the WorksafeBC Certificate of Recognition, and the Pesticide Applicators Certificate (and the related recertification program). Organic certification is an important part of the tree fruit sector.
Informal certification is no less important than formal certification programs. During the pandemic, inspections have been established for worker housing and campsites, which provides evidence that the accommodation protocols for COVID-19 are being followed. It’s not a true certification, but certainly a record that protocols are being followed. With this plethora of formal and informal certification programs, what are the steps to participate?
Horticultural advisors and industry associations generally have a wide range of knowledge about certification programs. The industry contacts are good sources of information for finding out about certification programs; what is involved, understanding where to get information and who to contact for further information. The online BC Tree Fruit Production Guide (www.bctfpg.ca) also provides information and is updated regularly.
Most people are on a certified food safety program, such as CanadaGAP or SQF. Program information is generally from manuals that are purchased from the standards organization, but there is help and funding available funded by the federal-provincial Canada Agricultural Partnership (CAP). The On Farm Food Safety Program information is available on the web at http://bconfarmfoodsafety.com. Tree fruit sector participation in the program is low, and the BCFGA recommends that all ‘non-BCTFC’ tree fruit growers engage in this program. BC Tree Fruit Cooperative growers should also participate, but through the guidance of the food safety personnel at BCTFC. The program also provides some funding for on-farm improvements to food safety. We recently discovered that pesticide storage sheds are eligible for funding. However, overall funding is limited, so getting into the program and completing the information prior to the launch of new funding allotments is critical to ‘getting in line first’ for the funding.
BCFGA has been encouraging growers to register in the Environmental Farm Plan. Once a plan is developed, with the assistance of an advisor (at no cost), then the grower may apply for funding for projects, called Beneficial Management Projects (BMPs). Like the On Farm Food Safety Program, BMP funding is limited and often runs out on the first day of availability. Again, ‘getting in line first’ is a key strategy until the governments improve their support for the agriculture sector to the levels of our competitors in other provinces and countries. Here is the ARDCORP website to get an advisor and find out more about the EFP: https://ardcorp.ca/programs/environmental-farm-plan.
Similar to the EFP, the BCFGA strongly encourages growers to participate in the farm safety Certificate of Recognition (COR). Achieving this certification reduces WorksafeBC premiums, because it is proven that implementing some routine safety practices will reduce accidents. Over the past five years, tree fruit accident rates have been increasing, and not surprisingly, the WorksafeBC rate for tree fruit is starting to increase. Participating in COR will save money and reduce the risk to your family and employees, so why would a person not participate in such a certification? AgSafeBC organizes the COR program. To find out more and to get help implementing COR, visit their website: https://agsafebc.ca/cor.
The BCFGA administers the Pesticide Applicators Recertification Program, which renews an existing Pesticide Applicators Certificate (PAC). A grower needs to have a PAC before entering into the recertification program. Here is information on getting your PAC certificate the first time:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/pesticides-pest-management/certification-training.
Recertification is done by gaining the required “PAC points'', which are granted when a grower signs into qualifying education/extension sessions, such as the BCFGA Tree Fruit Production Guide Sessions. Of note, a newer category of certification is the Assistant Pesticide Applicator. BCFGA operates a certificate program for this category which is available to its members. With changes underway to allow assistant applicators to meet the WorksafeBC pesticide application requirements, we hope to expand the BCFGA certification program, so stay tuned for that news.
In summary, there are program certifications which will help improve the performance of your farm operation, and there is help available to achieve the registration. In order to boost participation in the programs, some of the programs pay for on-farm projects (EFP and On Farm Food Safety), though funding is rationed as existing funds are insufficient to satisfy demand.
The worker safety program provides a financial benefit to growers by immediately reducing WorksafeBC premiums, and is also proven to reduce harm to your family and employees. Finally, the PAC program for Pesticide Application certification does not have a direct program benefit for registration, but is required to ensure workers and environment are protected from pesticide impacts and will ensure optimal use of pesticides to control insects and diseases of tree fruit, so that indirect monetary savings are expected.
The BCFGA is currently considering how to provide further encouragement for its members to participate in the certification programs. Grower’s mastery of food safety, environmental and pesticide practices need to be encouraged and recognized.
Glen Lucas, General Manager, BC Fruit Growers’ Association