Lisa 0921
The summer season has sure been a challenge, with the wildfires, heat waves, smoky weather, and all during a pandemic. The scorching heat made it difficult for crops and the extremely smoky air made it tough to work outdoors. The wildfires brought uncertainty as to where they may strike next and sad tragedies for neighbouring towns.
It’s well into autumn now and the harvesting of apples, plums and grapes are in full swing, thankfully with sunny blue skies and cooler temperatures. Inside the magazine we provide a few answers from a recent survey we sent out, as to how growers are feeling during this time.
A few years back I was sitting next to Hans Buchler at the BC Ag Gala and I can still remember his kind and gentle deep voice discussing aspects of grape growing, his passion for the industry… and how much he was enjoying Orchard & Vine :). Hans is a hard working, innovative grape grower that brought life into his vineyard using self-sustaining and organic practices. He is one of the founding members and chair of the BC Winegrape Council and over the years has shared his knowledge with many, many others. Many of you might know that his grapes contribute to the single most awarded wine in Canada, ‘Cipes Brut’ from Summerhill Pyramid Winery. We are proud to feature him in this issue as he accepts his 2021 Viticulturist of the Year Award from the BC Grapegrowers Association. Cheers to you Hans!
It’s interesting to think back on what you’ve done 35 years ago and if you’ve made the right decisions. The decision of what to plant was what Russ and Lynn Giesbrecht had to make back in 1986 as a newly married couple. They chose blueberries not knowing how it would turn out over the years. They decided to add chickens and therefore needed to follow strict food safety protocols and provide lots of reporting. Focusing on sustainable farming methods, their love of farming RussLynn Blueberries has worked out very well. Read more about them inside.
Enjoy the magazine and all the best during your harvest!