14 • THURSDAY, April 11, 2013
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Royal Visit The B.C. Ambassador program held their candidate annual general meeting recently at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in Merritt. This year’s ambassador candidates posed for a picture with the reigning B.C. ambassadors (front, from left) Mariah Morris from Castlegar, Carley Henninger from Trail, and Acacia Schmietenknop from Kamloops. Craig Lindsay/Herald
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MAKE EVERYDAY, EARTH DAY The Merritt Herald and these participating merchants will focus on one Eco All-Star person per issue until April 18, 2013.
www.merritt.ca • Ph: 250.378.4224 Good Earth Company
ECO ALL-STAR: Nicola Valley Produce Known primarily for their popular garlic, Nicola Valley Produce (NVP) is branching out and adding several new and exciting vegetable products. NVP is located in Lower Nicola and is a family farm run by the Petersons. The family brought in sales and distribution coordinator Ariel Weiser Novak to help the farm expand its business. The farm will be adding several varieties of popular vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, carrots, sprouts, radishes, kale, corn, spinach, lettuce, leafy green, peas, beans, herbs and spices. “We’re going to have seven kinds of squash, three kinds of carrots, tons of peppers, (16 kinds) such as red, green, Santa Fe chili peppers, Hungarian peppers, ja-
lapeno peppers,” said Novak. “We’ll have lots of tomatoes. Tomatoes will probably be our biggest seller.” Novak says most of the produce will be available at the start of June. He also adds that the farm will continue to sell the various types of garlic. “It’s a winter crop,” he said. “We have some leftover garlic. The higher quality garlic is all sold out. When we go to garlic fairs, people are so stoked at our product because it’s so good. It’s something in the soil and with the climate that’s perfect for growing it.” NVP has grown other produce for the family, but this year will be the first time they’ve grown it on a large scale. Novak said the farm will work closely with Footprints Harvest Organic Produce Delivery Service to distribute their product. They also plan to be regulars at the Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market as well as the market in Kamloops.
All NVP produce is certified organic under PACS (Pacific Agricultural Certification Society). “It means no pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used,” said Novak. “Not only that, but we use sustainable growing practices. We used crop rotations and companion planting to reduce the impact on the environment. We use natural pesticides. For example, garlic is really good for aphids. We put some garlic in water and spray that.”
Novak said it’s important for the farm to use sustainable farming practices. “The land is richer and fuller because of our farming,” he said. “It’s hard to describe, but the food just tastes better. Peppers taste more peppery. It’s just more natural – how they’re supposed to grow. Also, we try to just distribute locally so the food is fresh. When you buy vegetables from us at the farmers’ market, they’ve been picked that morning.”
COMPOST & MULCH The Eco-Friendly Way To Enhance Your Soil Compost Blended Top Soil Fertilizing Mulch
www.goodearthcompany.ca
Open To Public: Mon., Wed. & Fri: 10 am - Noon Saturdays: 9 am - 1 pm
For pick-up & product information: 250-378-9674 or 250-936-8363
Site Location: Airport Road, next to Valley Helicopters
ILLEGAL DUMPING Spoils it for all of us.
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Blooming Pets • Hydroponics • House Plants • Small Animals & Fish • Blue Buffalo Food 2067 Quilchena Ave Phone: 250-378-4144
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