I was lucky enough this year to be given a large bag of hail-damaged apples that were left over from a donation to a women’s pie-making group. The apples were so fresh, crisp and delicious; I enjoyed each one and made a few apple crisps as well. It’s a shame the hail came and spoiled their re-sale value.
I was sad to watch the weather play havoc on a number of fruit crops, including the newly planted crops and the crop insurance that couldn’t be purchased in time to recoup the costs associated with crop expenses. Inside this issue we cover the year in apples, cherries, berries, grapes and more in our Annual Year-in-Review starting on page 27.
This year for our annual interview with the provincial Agriculture Minister, we enlisted the help of a few industry leaders to let us know what questions were on their mind for us to ask. We did and it led to a bit of a scoop. In the wake of leaked documents to the Globe and Mail, our exclusive interview with Pat Pimm sheds new light on the proposed future of the Agricultural Land Reserve.
Good news and congratulations go out to many who won fruit and wine awards at various events, festivals and exhibitions this year! Two-time world juice winners, Gary and Susan Snows from Tabletree Juice, share the inspiring story of their big win at the World Juice Awards on page 46.
Congratulations and a tip of the glass to all the advocates who rallied for changes to our tired old wine laws. Check out page 51 for our idea of what is full or half full in BC Wine Laws.
Do you enjoy it when company comes to town? This February, we will have the opportunity to show off our town and province as the International Fruit Tree Association hold their 57th Annual Conference and Intensive Workshop in Kelowna, B.C from February 22-26.
Most importantly, my wish for the upcoming year for you is good heath for you and your families and a fun and prosperous new year!
Best of the Season from all of us at Orchard & Vine!
Enjoy the magazine!
