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B.C. farmer concerned about road closure

B.C. farmer concerned about road closure

Rhonda Driediger estimates she could lose $500K if an important road is off limits

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A Langley, B.C. farmer worries a potential road closure could significantly impact her business.

The Township of Langley has scheduled a railway upgrade along 72 Avenue from May to September. It’s one of 29 required improvements in the area that need to be completed by the end of 2021 to meet Transport Canada’s new grade crossing standards.

The construction would completely shut down 72 Avenue, cutting off access to Driediger Farms, a 160-acre fruit farm. The farm produces raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. It has North American distribution and on-farm sales. The farm also employs about 110 people.


Rhonda Driediger
BC Agricultural Council

Rhonda Driediger, owner of the farm, appeared in front of Langley councillors on March 19 to ask them to postpone the upgrades until after harvest. She highlighted the economic impact the road closure could have on her business, which attracts about 60,000 visitors each year.

 

“You’d like to close my road, the only road to my market, actually directly in front of my market, from May to September,” she told councillors, according to a council recording. “I’m thinking I’m probably going to lose half of a million dollars in sales.”

A staff reduction may be necessary and the rerouting of 200 could be required she said, adding that construction in September would have no impact on her business.

If the project moves forward, she will approach the Township to recoup any losses associated with the railway construction, she said.

Completing the upgrades now is beneficial financially for the Township, Langley representatives said.

Working through the winter can increase the costs of the project, and finishing the upgrades before November 2018 would help the Township receive a federal grant to cover half of the cost, said Ramin Seifi, general manager of engineering and community development, according to the council recording.

Farms.com has reached out to Driediger for an update on the situation.

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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

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