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Review Vol.17
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Number 5
Thursday, January 29, 2015
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Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
Growing BC’s organic industry Tara Bowie Review Staff
A local farmer and head of several provincial organizations applauds efforts to make the meaning of the word organic clear to consumers. A proposed change will require all products marketed as organic in B.C. to be certified under either a provincial or national certification program. Operators producing and selling their organic products strictly within B.C. will require provincial certification. B.C. companies with customers in other provinces or countries will require certification by a federally accredited body, just as they do today. “For me I think it’s a great positive move and the organic industry has been working with the provincial government to have this happen for quite awhile,” Kevin Klippenstein, owner of Klippers Organics in Cawston, said during a telephone interview Monday. The new provincial certification program follows the same standards as the national program, but with streamlined record keeping and documentation practices. Provincial certification offers growers access to the local organic market with less paperwork, while still ensuring B.C. consumers have certainty when purchasing organic
foods. Klippenstein, who is the chair of the Organic Farming Institute of BC, grows a variety of fruits and vegetables at his 40-acre farm in Cawston. Most of the produce is sold at farmers’ markets and to restaurants. He spends a great deal of time educating customers about what makes his produce organic opposed to other BC growers who make the same claim but don’t have the certification. “Certified organics, not certified organics. It makes it very difficult for anyone to differentiate what’s organic,” he said. “Basically to be certified you go through a process of inspections by a third party to ensure what you’re doing is organic. But the guy next door at this point doesn’t have to do anything, he can just tell you his product is organic because he doesn’t use sprays on the plant. But what he is doing is using sprays around the base of the plant or something else.” Klippenstein explained that even some organic farmers use sprays of some kind but that they cannot be synthetic and must be natural based. “We don’t use any sprays at our farm,” he said. “We use different methods, crop rotation, companion
planting. It’s all about building your soil and creating an ecosystem.” Although guidelines for the organic certification have not been fully decided a good framework is starting to develop, Klippenstein said, and he’s eager to hear more in the coming months. “I think it’s going to be great for the consumer. It’s not going to make the organic farmer any more money necessarily but it’s going to ensure the consumer is getting what they think they are buying,” he said. If new guidelines are passed, following the development of an effective and efficient administration and enforcement system and a suitable period of transition, producers and processors that are not certified under either the provincial or federal certification program would not be able to use the term organic to describe or market their products. Producers, processors and handlers of organic products including farm gate sales, farmers’ markets and retail stores, would be required to have documentation verifying their accredited certification. Reports by citizens concerned that an uncertified product produced and sold exclusively within B.C. was being marketed as organic would be investigated by the B.C. Continued on page 3
A proposed change will require all products marketed as organic in B.C. to be certified under either a provincial or national certification program.
Much loved former SESS educator dies suddenly A
Barton Tumlinson
Review Staff
former vice-principal of Similkameen Elementary Secondary School, who made a huge impact on students, staff and the community has died. Barton Tumlinson, vice-principal at SESS from 2009 to 2013 died suddenly Friday, January 23 after falling ill and being taken to hospital. The cause of death has not been confirmed. He was 44. “Barton cared deeply about his
students, staff and the district. He was a loyal friend and mentor and will be deeply missed by everyone. Our hearts and prayers go to Barton’s wife, children, extended family, co-workers and friends at this difficult time,” Marieze Tarr, chairperson of school district 53 stated in a press release. Tumlinson was described as “a kind, visible and gentle leader who was loved and respected by students, parents and staff,” in a board
pres release Tumlinson was born in Salmon Arm. His career in education spanned 18 years. After leaving SESS in 2013 he went on to serve as principal at Oliver Elementary and was in that role until his untimely death late last week. He made his home in Penticton. “Our immediate focus is to support the students and staff who are impacted by this tragic loss. In
response, schools and the district have implemented a plan, which allows those affected by this tragedy an opportunity to talk about their thoughts and feelings with trained professional staff,” the press release from the school district stated. Grief counsellors were available at SESS early this week for any student or faculty that required help. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, January 31 at 2 p.m. at the Penticton Alliance Church.