‘We like, we like to party!’ Do you remember that song from 1998 by the Vengaboys? It came to mind while I was thinking about the International Tree Fruit Association Annual Conference coming to Kelowna this month, February 22-26.
It’s pretty cool to have visitors from across Canada and around the world come to see what we do here, enjoy our beautiful scenery, share ideas and tour our orchards; all in all, a perfect opportunity to showcase the region.
It’s also a win for the tourism sector – and a chance to convince people that this is a place worth returning to for both fruit and wine.
All this comes as the BCFGA celebrates 125 years, complete with a social on that most lovely of days – February 14.
As the song says, happiness is just around the corner - hopeful lyrics for the year ahead.
Today, growers are working together, and for a good cause too, by standing up for the ALR and advocating for increasing – or at least maintaining - funding programs. All in the name of our land, food and viable growing businesses for us!
I’d like to take a moment to welcome our new editor Gary Symons, who has a strong reporting background. Formerly from CBC, Gary is keen to cover your news, and starts things off with this month’s feature on the ALR.
If there is a story you’d like us to cover give Gary a call at 250-769-2123 or email editor@orchardandvine.net
This year’s Annual Tractor Guide brings new information on emissions for tractors and what that means to you. So, if you are considering whether to put some new wheels in motion, check out the various tractors featured to help you make your decision.
In the meantime, cheers to your hopes and dreams for the upcoming year. Sing along; we’ll be there for you!
Enjoy the magazine! ■
International Tree Fruit Conference Registration: http://www.ifruittree.org
‘We Like to Party’ song by the Vengaboys: Find it on YouTube