Programs :: Farmers Appreciation Week

BC Minister of Health, Mike de Jong (right) with Abbotsford Farm & Country Market Manager, Bruce Fatkin celebrating Farmers Appreciation Week 2011

Farmers Appreciation Week: July 31st – August 6th, 2011

A Great Success!

This year marked the 2nd Annual Celebration of BC Farmers Appreciation Week at participating farmers' markets across BC.

The number of celebrations around the province quadrupled this year and we hope to continue to grow appreciation for BC farmers with next year's celebration. Farmers' Markets got quite creative with their celebrations and created a province-wide media buzz around local food, farming and farmers' markets. Activities included, spray painting "I heart farmers" on t-shirts, complimentary carrot cake — made with local organic carrots, speeches by local farmers, city councillors and MLAs, and the Minister of Health, parades, giant thank you cards for farmers and musical odes to local food.

Farmers Appreciation Week is held in cooperation with the Overwaitea Food Group who is a generous Partner of the BC Association of Farmers' Markets. Overwaitea donated publicity for the Abbotsford, Burnaby and Kelowna events and cake for the Golden, Abbotsford, Burnaby and Terrace events.

Watch videos:

Thank you to the following markets for participating in the 2011 Farmers Appreciation Week:

Peninsula Country Market
Quesnel Farmers' Market
Vernon Farmers' Market
Golden Farmers' Market
Abbotsford Farm & Country Market
Burnaby Farmers' Market
Kelowna Farmers' & Crafters' Market
Rock Creek Farmers' Market
Rossland Mountain Market
Armstrong Farmers' Market
Ambleside Farmers' Market
Lonsdale Quay Farmers' Market
Errington Farmers' Market
Haney Farmers' Market
Pitt Meadows Farmers' Market
Pleasant Valley Community Market
Pemberton Farmers' Market
Penticton Farmers' Market
Powell River Farmers' Market
Skeena Valley Farmers' Market
Sorrento Village Farmers' Market
Squamish Farmers' Market
Sun Peaks Farmers' Market
Surrey Urban Farmers' Market
White Rock Farmers' Market

Why appreciate BC farmers?

Did you know that farmers make up only 1.5% of BC's population? Yet, this small percentage of the population produces an estimated 48% of all foods consumed in B.C. Whether or not we are aware of it, British Columbians depend on BC farmers and BC farmland.

So come out and show your support — buy local! Find a market near you.

Burnaby Farmers Appreciation Week celebration from left to right: Lyn Hainstock (Burnaby Farmers' Market Manager), Mary Forstbauer (former BCAFM President) and Nick Volcow (Burnaby City Councillor and Acting Mayor)

Upper Bench Organics at the Burnaby Village Farmers' Market — Farmer

Why support BC agriculture?

BC's Farmland: an invaluable and scarce resource

Only 5% of BC's land is suitable for farming; only 1% of this is the best soil with the highest capability for growing field crops such as potatoes, onions, carrots, broccoli, strawberries and more.
Local food production reduces our dependence on imported foods and associated environmental costs and impacts, like greenhouse gas emissions.
Diverse farmlands can create a variety of wildlife habitats and support bio-diversity.

BC Farmers Need Our Support

45% of BC farmers are 55 and older (2006 Census of Agriculture) — buying BC grown food makes it viable for new farmers to keep farming.
50% of farm sales average less than $10,000 annually.
41% of farmed land is leased or rented from other owners. Years of work creating a viable farm may be lost by a cancelled lease.
The number of small farms (under 10 acres) in close proximity to urban markets is growing.

For more information go to SmartGrowth BC.

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Burnaby FAW festivities 2011
Burnaby Farmers Appreciation Week festivities and bike parade