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Tuesday, October 22, 2013 Capital NewsC
NEWS
Basil and pesto festival pitched for the Central Okanagan Jennifer Smith STAFF REPORTER
Twenty-five years ago, Kelowna city councillor Maxine DeHart says she had to go all the way to Vancouver for a flavourful Italian staple as there was none to be had in the region. But now that Juhlie Curatolo is one step closer to living in her own home on the family’s basil farm,
it’s possible the farm gate retail operation she’s helping to develop will include the kind of event lavender farms throughout the province have made popular. “We have a focaccia bread topping for bakeries; as well, we are starting to do fresh (basil),” said Juhlie as she launched into the family’s pitch to build a secondary home on their Benvoulin
Road property. Located in the centre of the city, the farm is a perfect agritourism site as it is accessible to those shopping at the mall nearby, packed with potential for value-added products to be made on site and boasts a century-old farm history as well. Vince Curatolo began his basil farming operation 20 years ago with seedlings on his kitch-
en table and the business soon blossomed to include growing, cleaning and packaging sites throughout the Okanagan. In 2010, the Curatolos were able to purchase a farm in the Benvoulin farm corridor, which had been farmed from 19291953 but had not been productive in decades. A sizeable section of the property was earmarked as too wet to farm
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but, upon assuming control of the property, the family found a creative solution to work within its limitations. Removing a thick layer of salt in the soil of the corner which could not grow crops, they reconstructed the land with better dirt and a bold plan that saw Vince and his wife, Lesah, build a new 2000-square foot home to work from. Julie wants to join them to get more hands on deck as operation continues to expand, but under the Agricultural Land Commission’s rules she can only live in the couple’s basement, in a secondary suite, or in a mobile home which could presumably be removed from the property should farming requirements demand. But the secondary
suite is not a viable option, she says, and the mobile home is actually a far more costly affair than the simple home the family would like to build. And having the family all living on site is important to the operation. “We don’t just grow a product and then ship it off to the co-op,” said Juhlie. “…If you’re not there, and something goes wrong, you lose your product.” In a city already besieged by so-called estate farms where ever-bigger farm houses crowd out valuable agricultural land in close proximity to the city, the Curatolos argument is risky. It was too much for City of Kelowna planning staff to swallow, given the precedent it could set for other farmers. But the council made
an exception. With the Curatolos already selling to big food companies like Sysco Canada, Gordon Food Services and Saputo Foods, they are adamant they have farming needs, not a boost in land value, in mind and the councillors were willing to listen. The farm is shortly to include greenhouses to extend the growing season so it can offer that fresh product to those big companies and more jobs to the local economy. And they’re hoping farm gate operations will begin within the next year. The Curatolos will still have to convince the Agricultural Land Commission their vision is the most appropriate course of action, however, before Juhlie can build her home on site and help shape the pesto farm vision.
Flu shot vaccines are ready With flu season approaching, public health nurses across Interior Health are gearing up for this year’s influenza (flu) vaccination campaign. Last year, over 173,000 seasonal flu shots were provided free of charge to those at risk of complications from the flu. “The World Health Organization (WHO) determines the strains to be included in the annual influenza vaccine based on flu trends worldwide. This year’s vaccine contains three different flu strains that will offer protection against two influenza A viruses and one influenza B virus,” said Dr. Rob Parker, medical health officer with Interior Health. “Getting a flu shot and washing your hands frequently are the two most effective ways to protect yourself and other from getting the flu.” The flu is highly contagious and can cause severe complications for those with heart, lung, and other health problems. Even if you don’t become severely ill, getting the flu can mean several missed days of school, work and other activities. To find a flu clinic near you, watch for local announcements on dates and times in your community, visit our website at www.interiorhealth.ca/FluClinics, or contact your local public health centre. Many physician offices and pharmacies also provide vaccines free to those who are eligible. Flu shots are safe, effective and free
for those most at risk of getting the flu and its complications including: • People 65 years and older and their caregivers/household contacts • People of any age in residential care facilities • Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts • Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years) with conditions treated for long periods of time with Aspirin (ASA) and their household contacts • Children & adults who are morbidly obese • Aboriginal people • All children 6-59 months of age • Household contacts and caregivers of infants and children 0-59 months of age • Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy during the influenza season and their household contacts • Visitors to hospitals, health centres and residential care facilities • People who work with live poultry • Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who are capable of transmitting influenza disease to those at high risk of influenza complications. For more information, contact your local public health office or visit our website at www.interiorhealth.ca. Information on the flu shot is also available at the websites www.immunizebc.ca, or www.healthlinkbc.ca.