rLake Country Calendar Wednesday, January 23, 2013
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news ▼ AGRICULTURE
Software will help Coral Beach Farms sort cherries A Lake Country business is among the company’s receiving support from the governments of Canada and British Columbia to help the tree fruit industry deal with advances in technology. Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan and B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick, the MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country, made the announcement last week. Coral Beach Farms in Lake Country will receive more than $35,000 in funding for an innovative software program that will automate the sorting of stemless cherries. The overall purpose of the project is to add value and reduce labour costs by introducing new technologies not currently in use in the B.C. tree fruit industry. The automatic sorting of cherries with and without stems will help
the sector take advantage of higher-value export markets that pay a premium for stemmed cherries, leading to increased profitability for farmers. “This new technology enables us to target specific packs of cherries to specific markets in a very cost effective manner,” said Coral Beach Farms president David Geen. “We are appreciative of the support provided through the Agriflex program, which allows us to better serve our customers and compete in global markets.” Four other projects will also receive funds totalling more than $66,000. The Jind Fruit Company will receive just over $26,000 for a project to improve cold-storage air quality and conditions at a packing house in Osoyoos. The Okanagan Kootenay Cherry Growers’ Association will receive
Help is on the way
▼ SPORTS
HOME BUYERS FROM A2 lowing the transfer, buyers can benefit from this program as well. It’s easy for first-time home buyers to be ruled by their emotions when their dream of buying a home is within their financial grasp, but it’s important to also be educated on what is personally affordable before taking the plunge and becoming “mortgage poor.” Ceinwen Morgan has worked in the Okanagan real estate industry for the past five years.
more than $21,000 for two spotted wing drosophila larvae management projects. The B.C. Fruit Growers Association Research and Development Test Orchard is receiving $19,200 for the creation of quality standards that all cherry-packing organizations can use for their domestic and export markets. “The B.C. government has been working with industry to focus on innovation and technology as we look at ways to expand their product line and markets,” said Letnick. “The investment of more than $200,000 for these six projects will enhance both our province’s tree fruit operations and ensure the agrifoods industry continues to be an integral part of British Columbia’s economy.” In 2010, the governments of Canada and
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THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY ENABLES US TO TARGET SPECIFIC PACKS OF CHERRIES TO SPECIFIC MARKETS IN A VERY COST EFFECTIVE MANNER. David Geen, Coral Beach Farms president
B.C. together contributed $5 million to the Tree Fruit Market and Infrastructure Initiative. The federal portion of this investment is made through the Agricultural Flexibility Fund (AgriFlex), part of the Economic Action Plan, a five-year (2009 to 2014) program created to help reduce production costs, improve environment-
al sustainability, promote innovation, and respond to emerging opportunities and market challenges for the sector. “B.C. has a strong reputation around the world for producing top-quality tree fruits, such as apples and cherries,” said Cannan. “These projects and leading-edge technologies will increase profitability and ensure that the region’s producers remain industry leaders on the domestic and international stage.” For more information on the B.C. Tree Fruit Market and Infrastructure Innovation Initiative, visit the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture’s website at www.gov. bc.ca/agri/ or contact the ministry at AGR.Minister@gov.bc.ca. As well, visit the Agriculture Flexibility Fund at www.agr.gc.ca/ agriflexibility for more information.
Future of recreational Ski2Sea race in jeopardy WARREN HENDERSON A longstanding sports tradition in Kelowna is in jeopardy of being put on hold. Due to a lack of funding, organizers of the Ski2Sea Race may be forced to cancel the 34th edition of the multisport event, scheduled for Sunday, April 14. Ski2Sea—a six-stage, 95-km race from Big White to Kelowna City Park—lost its major sponsor after the 2011 race and has been struggling to make ends meet ever since. Between insurance fees and the purchase of t-shirts, the event costs a minimum of $17,000 to stage. Ski2Sea president Sue
Keast said the local race is in dire need of sponsorship dollars. “We used to get $10,000 from our main sponsor, but they had to leave us last year,” said Keast. “We ran last year’s race on our savings, but we’re not going to be able to do that again. “I don’t believe we’ll be able to go forward this year without new sponsors.” Keast said Ski2Sea is grateful for the support from all of its sponsors in the past, including Interior Savings which served as a platinum sponsor for more than 30 years. Between resignations and people moving away from Kelowna, the race committee is also in need
of at least five new directors to help keep the race running efficiently. The Ski2Sea Race has been run every year in Kelowna since 1980. Teams feature from one to six athletes who compete in six events in a relay format—downhill skiing, cross country skiing, mountain biking, road biking, running and canoeing. As many as 111 teams and more than 600 people have competed in past Ski2Sea events. Along with support staff, volunteers, family and friends, the race typically can involve upwards of 2,000 people. If the 2013 race has to be cancelled, Keast believes it will be a big loss for the community.
“It’s an event athletes in our community have come to enjoy and depend on, whether they’re recreational or competitive athletes,” said Keast. “It’s great for our city, too, people come here to stay in our hotels and eat in our restaurants.” The Ski2Sea committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 29, to discuss its options. Keast expects the committee to make a final decision on the fate of the race by the middle of February. For more information on the Ski2Sea Race, including sponsorship opportunities, contact Sue at 250-763-1354, or by email at sponsorship@ski2sea.ca.
Winfield Community Church Sunday Morning Service for All Ages
10:15 a.m. 9460 GLENMORE ROAD 250-766-2753 wincom@telus.net
Pastor: Lance Duncalfe
Winfield United Church 3751 Woodsdale Road 250-766-4458 Sunday Worship and Children’s Church
9:50 a.m. Everyone Welcome! Minister: Jim Hannah THRIFT SHOP OPEN: Tues. - Sat., 10:00 to 2:00 Thrift Shop Phone: 250-766-3387
St. Francis Anglican Church 10162 Newene Road, Winfield
Service time 9:30 am
You are invited to all services & programs! Wardens: Rosemary Carter 766-2800; Roberta Loewen 766-0869 Deputy Warden: Margaret Fyfe 766-3227. Priest: Rev. Patricia Horrobin 250-766-0919 (office) or 250-763-5499
St. Edward’s Catholic Church
Mass times:
Tuesday-Friday 8:30am 2nd & 4th Friday 10am L.C. Lodge Saturday 5pm • Sunday 9am 11123 Okanagan Centre Rd. East 250-766-3146 To advertise your church services, special religious events and celebrations, please email cjensen@kelownacapnews.com or call 1-250-540-2974 or 250-979-7324
CHECK OUT PAGE 7 FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS! They are placed at no charge to all NON-PROFIT organizations. For all other inquiries, please email production@lakecountrynews.net or fax 250-766-4645
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