The 17-member group will provide advice to government to promote regenerative ag practices
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
British Columbia’s minister of agriculture has assembled a group to help farmers access the latest technology and to promote regenerative agriculture.
Lana Popham selected 17 members of B.C.’s ag community to be part of the Minister’s Advisory Group of Regenerative Agriculture and Agritech (RAA).
Members will serve one-year terms.
Popham’s 2020 mandate letter calls for her to develop a Regenerative Agricultural Network, which will create jobs for British Columbians and opportunities for the ag sector.
The advisory group will assist in the network’s development by providing advice to government to promote regenerative ag practices.
“Soil is an incredibly powerful tool in our fight against climate change,” Popham said in a June 14 statement. “Our new Regenerative Agriculture Advisory Group is bringing together farmers, academics and industry experts to find more opportunities in our natural systems of production and in agritechnology to restore soil, strengthen B.C. food security and create a thriving food economy.”
Michelle Koski is one of the council’s co-chairs.
She’s the CEO of the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC and has been involved in the ag sector for more than 20 years, including as a policy analyst with the BC Milk Marketing Board and as deputy and regional director with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
She’s looking forward to the group’s discussions and how they can benefit B.C. agriculture.
“The RAA will provide a forum to harness and align the incredible opportunities of regenerative agriculture and agritech to ensure B.C. farmers and B.C.’s food supply are profitable, sustainable and resilient,” she said in a statement.”