Investment Agriculture Foundation
The Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. has announced that Miriam Esquitin has been appointed emerging sectors specialist.Esquitin is responsible for working with emerging sectors within British Columbia’s agricultural communities to determine how IAF can assist them.Esquitin is originally from Mexico where she studied social anthropology. She moved to Canada in 2003 and has worked for the Alberta Agriculture and Food Council, La société éducative de l’Alberta, and as a researcher on rural development projects.While in Alberta, Esquitin helped deliver federal adaptation funding programs and managed a policy analysis initiative on environmental stewardship in agriculture.IAF is an industry-led, not-for-profit foundation that invests federal and provincial funds to benefit agriculture. For more information about the programs it delivers, visit www.iafbc.ca.
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B.C. Environmental award
A certified organic ranch at Horsefly, is this year’s recipient of the British Columbia environmental stewardship award.Big Bear Ranch, owned by Rainer and Gigi Krumsiek, raises cattle, sheep and free-range pigs. The family has invested in 70 kilometres of permanent electric fencing and 13 km of barbed wire fencing to manage grazing.Major wetland and riparian projects for wildlife habitat and an extensive water pipeline system for livestock were also created.The Krumsieks will now compete for the national award, with the winner announced at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association convention in mid-August.
Top employers
Bayer CropScience Canada has been selected as a top leader in attracting and retaining younger employees. The Canada’s Top Employers for Young People competition is organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. This special designation recognizes employers that offer the nation’s best benefits for younger workers. Bayer CropScience was chosen for its summer associate program for its hiring of more than 135 summer students each year. Other highlights include Bayer’s benefits, education and development programs such as the customized MBA-style training program in conjunction with the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business.
New alfalfa variety
Viterra Inc. recently announced the launch of Halo, an alfalfa variety specifically designed to resist higher levels of salinity in prairie soil.Developed through a selection of high yielding commercial strains, Halo was recently evaluated at Canada’s Salinity Tolerance Testing Facility in Swift Current, Sask., and demonstrated superior salt tolerance at both medium and high levels of salinity.In addition to improved salt tolerance, Halo offers good yield potential, quick regrowth and strong winter hardiness. It is available at Viterra retail locations across Western Canada.
