British Columbia (Rural Roots Canada) – The BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) is launching a new event designed to bring together farmers, government officials and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of agriculture in the province.
The inaugural BC Agriculture Forum will replace several existing events that the council has hosted in recent years. These include the BC Young Farmers Farm Fest and the BC Agrofood Industry Gala, which ran for more than two decades. The council’s annual general meeting will also be a part of the forum.
Danielle Synotte, executive director of the BCAC, said the new format reflects the organization’s evolving mandate. The council has increased its focus on policy development since 2021.
“The real purpose of this forum is to provide a platform for leaders from agriculture to connect with elected officials, policy decision makers, and other partners that serve agriculture, to talk about the challenges and the opportunities that the sector has,” Synotte said.
The event aims to spark discussions around how farmers and ranchers operate, including the regulations and policies needed to keep the sector competitive.
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As the industry faces generational transitions with younger farmers preparing to take over operations or enter the sector as new producers, Synotte said timing is essential.
“What operating environment do we want to ensure that they have when we’re talking about the future generations coming into the farming sector in BC?” she said.
Farmers will play a central role at the forum, with opportunities to share their experiences and contribute to discussions about the challenges they face. Synotte emphasized the importance of farmers having direct conversations with elected officials and government staff about how policy decisions affect day-to-day operations.
“It’s important for producers to attend. They have to have a voice in what their operating environment is going to look like, both now and into the future,” she said.
The forum will take place in June in Penticton. Specific topics for discussion are still being finalized, and registration details will be posted on the BC Agriculture Council’s website and social media channels as they become available.
The council previously hosted a gala event alongside the Pacific Agriculture Show. The new forum is meant to better showcase the industry’s priorities and encourage collaboration between farmers and the government.
