Upcoming events
- Thursday, December 21, 2023 - 09:00
Dr. Simone Castellarin, UBC-Wine Research Centre
Influence of temperature and heat-stress mitigation strategies on grape quality in British Columbia vineyards. As evidenced by the 2021 growing season in British Columbia, heat stress events (heatwaves) are a new reality facing wine grape production. However, compared to other abiotic stresses, the negative effects of heat stress on grape production are largely unexplored. In the past three years, the Castellarin Lab began researching the influence of temperature and heatwave events on grapevine physiology and grape quality. Their continued research in this area aims to predict the susceptibility to heatwaves of cultivars grown in BC, and to elucidate whether varying irrigation levels and using bio-stimulants and anti-transpirants can mitigate heat stresses in BC vineyards.
Monthly R&D Series – Third Thursdays
A great opportunity for industry to get involved with the BCWGC R&D Committee, meet the researchers and bring your questions to the table. These monthly R&D series are for industry to participate in an informal virtual discussion on research priorities that support BC enology and viticulture.
Membership on the R&D Committee is open to all grape growers and winery representatives, in good standing, on a voluntary basis as well as non-voting members who are partners and stakeholders.
- Sunday, December 31, 2023 - 18:00
Food Processing Skills Canada
is accepting application for the Fall 2023 term of our Student Work Placement Program (deadline Dec 31, 2023).
If you are interested in hiring a domestic, Post-Secondary Student to work in your food and beverage or related business, please apply now for the wage subsidy.
This program will reimburse:
• Up to 70% of wages (capped at $7,000) for underrepresented students (Women in STEM, First Year Students, Indigenous, Visible Minority, Newcomers to Canada within the last 5 years, People with Disabilities)
• Up to 50% of wages (capped at $5,000) if not from underrepresented category
The Eligibility checklist is attached, so you can ensure your applications for this term are for eligible student hires and our Employer Guide, outlining the program’s Net New requirements and all the benefits we offer both students and employers.
Those eligible to apply for the program are as follows:
• Food and Beverage Manufactures (all sub-sectors)
• Retail Grocery Stores
• Industrial Catering/Food Service
• Greenhouses and Farmers
• Cannabis Processors
• Food Related Associations
For more information about this program and to START YOUR FALL 2023 APPLICATIONS go to https://swpp-fpsc.com/
Please note: If you have eligible students that you have not yet submitted your applications for, applications are still open for Summer 2023 (April – August).
An added bonus when apply for SWPP with us is that we have added a suite of e-courses to assist employers and students to prepare for a successful work placement and the start of a rewarding career. This training is available at no cost.
- Employer Curriculum consists of Introduction to Emotional Intelligence, Interpersonal Relationships, Empathy at Work, Building Team Resilience, Build a Respectful Workplace, and Supervise Employee Performance.
-Student Curriculum consists of I AM FOOD – Introduction to the Canadian Food & Beverage Manufacturing Industry, Employer and Employee Expectations, Good Manufacturing Practices – GMP’s, Food Safety Culture & You, Food Spoilage & Food Safety, Sanitation Level 1, Workplace and Industrial Safety, Lock-Out Tag-Out (LOTO), and HACCP Fundamentals.
Employers also receive the student curriculum. These suites of e-courses are completely optional but a wonderful bonus if utilized.
Questions? Contact Cynthia Perry - 902-749-7161 cperry@fpsc-ctac.com
- Monday, January 15, 2024 - 12:30
Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture Program
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
In order to provide producers with more time and flexibility to complete their applications and projects,
the current application intake is extended until all funds for this fiscal year have been committed
(note: this means, unlike last year, a second intake of EWP will not be available for this fiscal year and we encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience to secure funding for your extreme weather project)
Receipt of Applications
Applications will be accepted and processed on a continuous basis until funds run out.
Application Review and Decision
Program applications will be reviewed and processed on a first come, first served basis until all program funds have been committed.
Decision letters are issued between 3-6 weeks after applying for the program, so the sooner you apply for the program, the earlier you will receive a decision letter.
Completion of Projects
All projects must be completed by the deadline outlined on the funding Project Approval Letter.
All invoices and proofs of payment, Project Reimbursement Form, and Project Summary Reports (if required in the Project Approval Letter), must be submitted on or before January 15th, 2024 to be eligible for the program reimbursement.
How to apply:
Please visit the program website to submit your application online.
To apply, review the project stream you are interested in and select the “Apply Now” button or scan QR code of each program stream to access the application.
Accessing the online application form requires a Basic BCeID. If you do not already have a Basic BCeID, you will need to register for one at https://www.bceid.ca/.
What is new this year
BC licensed Apiculture, Aquaculture and Federally licensed Cannabis or Hemp Producers will now be able to apply for funding through the program.
New project categories added for 2023 include
Exterior sprinkler protection for critical infrastructure
Flood resilient Apiary Overwintering & Equipment Storage
Improved barn and indoor aquaculture cooling systems
Cooling Systems for Outdoor Aquaculture Operations
A new Innovation Project option is also available this year where applicants can propose new project concepts for consideration.
Note: Funding will be allocated on a first come, first served basis for all eligible completed applications. There is no guarantee that you will receive funding after you have completed an application to this Program.
For any questions or application support, please email
Extreme.Weather.Preparedness@gov.bc.ca.
1 888-221-7141
- Friday, February 16, 2024 - 08:00 to Saturday, February 17, 2024 - 06:00
Save the Date
Feb 16-17, 2024
Penticton Trade and Convention Centre
The Southern Interior Horticultural Show is a new B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food delivered project in partnership
with the tree fruit and grape industries to provide producers the opportunity to get the latest information on research,
innovation, and farming practices from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts.
Details on how to purchase tickets, as well as an agenda overview, will be provided in the coming weeks.
Watch the BCGA newsletter for more information.
Industry partners include: B.C. Cherry Assoc., B.C. Fruit Growers’ Assoc., B.C. Grapegrowers’ Assoc., B.C. Wine Grape
Council, Wine Growers B.C., Sustainable Winegrowing B.C., OKSIR, Summerland Variety Corp., and New Tree Fruit Variety
Development Council.
Funding for the conference is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable
Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Contact BCGA
Post Office Box 1138,
Penticton, BC, V2A 6J9
EMAIL: contact form
PHONE: 1 877 762 4652