Vernon Morning Star, November 23, 2014

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MOVIE MUSSELS | Documentary focuses on invasive species threatening Okanagan lakes [A7]

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A kayaker paddles near Kal Beach in Coldstream. Environment Canada is calling for a daytime high of 2 Celsius today and Monday, 4 Tuesday and 7 Wednesday.

Fruit sector harvests funds RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff

Okanagan orchardists are preparing for the future after a significant investment. The provincial government will provide $8.4 million over seven years so growers can replace low-value orchards with fruit varieties consumers are demanding. “We are hoping to continue to support the tree fruit sector as it sells its product locally and around the world,” Norm Letnick, agriculture minister and Lake Country MLA, told The Morning Star Friday. “They understand that they must continue to improve their offering. It’s important to transition to high-quality varieties.”

“It’s important to transition to highquality varieties.” — Norm Letnick

The $8.4 million comes on top of $2 million in 2012 for a three-year replant initiative. Between April 1, 2015 and the 2021 season, growers can apply for the new program. It is estimated that more than 600 hectares of orchards will be replanted over the seven years providing 2,600 jobs each year for the Okanagan. “Growers are genuinely excited about the announcement of the replant program

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as the government set a goal of a sustainable, long-term replant program, and this promise is delivered,” said Fred Steele, B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association president. “The program matches the long-term nature of growing apples and cherries, as well as soft fruits, and it is not only appreciated, it is essential to our future.” When asked if $8.4 million is what the BCFGA request-

ed for replant, Letnick said, “That’s a significant amount of money but like anyone else, I’m sure they would like more. This is what we could afford.” Letnick says he is quite confident in the future of the tree fruit sector and its role economically in the Okanagan. B.C. growers produced Canada’s second-largest tree fruit crop in 2013, generating $103 million in farm cash receipts. The Okanagan exported $41.7 million in cherries in 2013, with the top markets in Hong Kong, the U.S., Taiwan and China. Last year, B.C. exported $19.1 million in apples and the top three markets were the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan.

A Vernon couple is giving back to the community by making a substantial donation to the University of B.C.’s Okanagan campus. As part of Ken and Jean Finch’s commitment to enhancing opportunities for young people, their $600,000 contribution to UBCO has established the Finch Family Undergraduate Award and the Finch Family Graduate Award. These awards will recognize students who have demonstrated great academic focus and success, and also the qualities of well-rounded citizens, actively contributing to the quality of life in Ken Finch our region through community involvement, contributions to innovation and economic development. The first Finch Family Graduate Award was presented to Christopher Collier, a PhD candidate studying electrical engineering in the UBCO School of Jean Finch Engineering. This award carries a prize of $14,000. The Finch Family Undergraduate Award was presented to Zachary Holland, a computer sciences student in the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences. This award carries a prize of $7,000, over the third and fourth years of study. “The lives of our family have been enriched by the lifestyle of the Okanagan, and we consider ourselves very fortunate to be able to combine a great place to live with the ability to grow a business,” said Ken Finch. “We would like to do our part in enhancing the opportunities for young people by investing in education as a way of supporting clean, sustainable growth in our region.” Ken and Jean Finch have long-standing roots in the region and their grandchildren are the fifth generation to live in the Okanagan. “Ken and Jean have shown remarkable leadership by investing in our students,” said Deborah Buszard, UBCO’s deputy vice-chancellor and principal. “Their contribution will allow us to nurture incredible young talent.”

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