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MERRITT HERALD FREE
THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
RIVER LEVELS KEEP ON RISING As river levels continue to rise, the City of Merritt is warning residents living near the Nicola River that groundwater seepage could occur. The City is monitoring conditions daily. Jade Swartzberg/Herald
Rising rivers could lead to groundwater seepage Residents can expect the Nicola River level to creep up, which may result in increased seepage to low lying areas, warns the City of Merritt. A city media release issued Tuesday says the rivers are rising due to the current weather trend coupled with the inflows of Nicola Lake exceeding its outflow, according to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources. “At present, the Ministry suggests that flows will still be within the channel banks of the Nicola River and therefore we do not anticipate any overbank flooding within the City,” said fire
chief Dave Tomkinson in the release. Residents living adjacent to the Nicola River may experience infiltration into pipes and basements as a result of groundwater seepage. Tomkinson says unforeseen weather conditions may result in some localized flooding in the city requiring proactive flood protection along the river; however, he said the city is monitoring water levels daily. Residents living along the river should be alert for potentially damaging flows or obstructions, which should be reported to city hall at 250-3784224.
Provincial grant supports local farmers’ markets By Jade Swartzberg THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
Benefits from a recent $75,000 provincial grant to the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets will likely filter down to the Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market, says the association’s executive director Elizabeth Quinn. As more consumers demand locally grown food, these funds will be used to ensure that B.C.’s 125 markets continue to connect British Columbians with farmers and food producers. “The funding is terrific news and will help us implement our strategic plan,” said Quinn. “By strengthening farmers’ markets and supporting local farmers, we help make healthy local food available to British Columbian families and children, so
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B.C. foods are on B.C. plates.” In the local market, she said the grant could help the B.C. association provide bursaries for representatives to attend networking conferences and workshops. “I’ve been to the Merritt market and I know that we need more farmers,” said Quinn. “Part of our strategic plan is to host meetings and workshops and that would be something the [local president] could attend. What we find is that farmers’ markets need to network to find answers to their problems.” Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market president, Lucas Handley, said past meetings he attended, such as a market manager training session in Kelowna, have been helpful, but travel and registration costs had to be paid out of pocket. “Some of the meetings have
been far enough that it was way out of budget for any of us to head out there, so a bursary would definitely help,” said Handley. As for networking, he said it would be good to hear how other markets are working with their local municipalities. “We have approached the City and hoped they would donate the use of a location, but they wanted close to $11,000 to rent a location,” said Handley. “It would be a benefit to learn how other markets are working with their municipalities to come up with proactive solutions to making farmers’ markets a part of the community.” Farmers’ markets around the province include vendors who make, bake or grow their own products, which often include fresh fruits, vegetables, locally raised meats, jams,
sauces and honeys. The Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market, which runs from May to October, will be kicking off for the season on May 12 with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. and the unveiling of the new logo. Handley says the market typically starts with about 10 vendors and increases to about 20 mid-summer as the produce is ready for selling. “Last year went pretty good for us,” he said. “In fact, in the years I’ve been with the market, it’s been the best season yet.” The farmers’ market has several new activities planned for the year including hot dogs sales, and a weekly promotion. “There will be two items in the market each week that the vendors will recognize, and if you purchase the marked item, you get it for free
up to $5,” he explained. There will also be a promotion on July 14 during the Great Canadian Bike Rally when the market will be at a temporary new location. Customers that day who spend a certain amount of money will be able to pop a balloon to win prizes. Other plans in the works include an August dinner fundraiser to raise money for a $500 scholarship to be awarded to a student going into an agricultural field, or something else that complements the market, Handley says. Later in the season, the market will once again host its annual corn eating contest and pumpkin decorating contest. Anyone interested in participating in the market can contact Handley at 378-2124 or the market manager Lorn Tillotson at 378-4142.
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