… about farming and food in the Kootenays

By Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett

1. While we produce only 2.5% of the farm cash receipts, our government does much to support and protect agriculture in the Kootenays such as the Ministry of Agriculture’s Buy Local campaign which offers successful applicants matching funds up to $100,000 to launch or expand local food marketing campaigns as part of a $2-million B.C. government effort to promote B.C. foods.

2.  This includes $85,000 to the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM) for a campaign which uses social media tools including Facebook and Twitter in combination with media ads and online incentives and contests to raise awareness of local farmers’ markets across B.C. These provincial government funds promote farmers’ markets in Cranbrook, Golden, Fernie, Invermere and Revelstoke.

3.  While Kootenay farmers and ranchers can’t feed our entire 160,000 Kootenay citizens, the changes to the Agriculture Land Commission will enhance opportunities for the industry to strengthen their businesses and keep them working their productive land. Improving the ALC will support the efforts of all those who believe in local food production and food security.

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