Judie Steeves

Growth not part of a sustainable future

If we continue to populate the world at the current rate, we will use up all our natural capital, warns UBC professor.

Kent Mullinix

Changes needed to make farming economically viable again

Industrial agriculture must be replaced by regional agriculture systems for farming to become sustainable, advises professor.

Kent Mullinix
Grasslands in the Richter Pass area, between the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys are a sea of yellow in spring with native Arrow-leaved Balsamroot, and swaths of that habitat have now been protected, thanks to non-profit organizations.

Steeves/Trail Mix: Government’s bent on destroying the wild, not protecting it

If we want to protect any wilderness areas we have to do it ourselves, and non-profit groups are doing just that.

Grasslands in the Richter Pass area, between the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys are a sea of yellow in spring with native Arrow-leaved Balsamroot, and swaths of that habitat have now been protected, thanks to non-profit organizations.
Rock hard, frozen grapes are dumped into a bin at Summerhill Pyramid Winery overnight as pickers pluck them in the dark for icewine.

Labour shortage hampers icewine harvest

If you want to pick frozen grapes for the premium icewine, your chance is tonight.

Rock hard, frozen grapes are dumped into a bin at Summerhill Pyramid Winery overnight as pickers pluck them in the dark for icewine.

Co-op reduces staff

There are 60 fewer people working for the B.C. Tree Fruits Co-operative with closure of the apple packing line in Kelowna.

Joanne de Vries of the Fresh Outlook Foundation, organizer of next week's Building Sustainable Communities conference in Kelowna.

Sparks will fly at sustainability conference

With delegates from a cross-section of the community, next week's Building Sustainable Communities conference will be lively.

Joanne de Vries of the Fresh Outlook Foundation, organizer of next week's Building Sustainable Communities conference in Kelowna.
New co-proprietors of Lake Sonoma Winery in California, Dan Zepponi (left) and Tony Stewart of Quails' Gate Estate Winery, stand in a planting of Zinfandel in one of the newly-purchased vineyards.

Quails’ Gate owners add property in Napa Valley

Expansion into the U.S. by Canadian companies is less common than the other way around, but that's what a local winery is doing.

New co-proprietors of Lake Sonoma Winery in California, Dan Zepponi (left) and Tony Stewart of Quails' Gate Estate Winery, stand in a planting of Zinfandel in one of the newly-purchased vineyards.
Clam Chowder

from Jude’s kitchen: one-dish meals

There's simply less mess and fuss if you can make dinner in one pot, so I'm all for such meals.

Clam Chowder
Historian and geographer Wayne Wilson told members of the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council how water changed the landscape of the Okanagan from 1880 to 1920.

Water management paints Okanagan green from brown

Irrigation changed the landscape in the dry Okanagan Valley in the early days of the last century and continues to, today.

Historian and geographer Wayne Wilson told members of the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council how water changed the landscape of the Okanagan from 1880 to 1920.
The snow line on hills around the Okanagan Valley is moving lower...

Steeves/Trail Mix: Snow is moving, so you’d better too

You can see the snow on the hills now, so get ready for snow sports (like fishing?), and for meetings planning for next summer.

The snow line on hills around the Okanagan Valley is moving lower...
Cherry grower David Geen of Lake Country is busy pruning his thousands of cherry trees, and planting new ones.

Trial year sending cherries to China encouraging

Growers are feeling encouraged by the reception of their cherries in China, after the first season of that market opening.

Cherry grower David Geen of Lake Country is busy pruning his thousands of cherry trees, and planting new ones.

Workshop on wetlands open to public

Help identify wetlands in the valley as part of the Okanagan Wetlands Strategy.

Pig in a Pod with Apples

from Jude’s Kitchen: squash is king

A favourite seasonal fall vegetable is the squash and it's such a versatile one that you won't easily get tired of it.

Pig in a Pod with Apples
die Steeves/Capital News Escaped garden plants such as purple loosestrife—invasive aliens—can destroy wetlands like this by choking out native plants and out-competing them for nutrients and water, leaving a wasteland behind.

Learn about plants that can invade the Okanagan

Many invasive plants almost impossible to eradicate once they get established.

die Steeves/Capital News Escaped garden plants such as purple loosestrife—invasive aliens—can destroy wetlands like this by choking out native plants and out-competing them for nutrients and water, leaving a wasteland behind.

Water board holds the line on taxes

The Okanagan Basin Water Board voted to hold the line on its budget for the coming year, with no increase at all.

Oatey Sunflower Bread

from Jude’s Kitchen: light meals

For a change in the tendency toward heavier cold-weather meals, consider a seasonal, substantial salad with crusty fresh bread.

Oatey Sunflower Bread

Water board has suggestions about new water act

Directors of the Okanagan Basin Water Board have a number of suggestions for the province on its proposal for a new water act.

Fruit growers split on reorganization

At a special meeting of the B.C. Fruit Growers' Association, members held a heated debate on reorganizing, but only made minor changes.

COs investigating poaching incidents

Poaching, drinking, carrying loaded firearms in vehicles and vandalism are all being investigated by Okanagan Conservation Officers.

This healthy wetland and Rose Valley Pond have been protected due to grassroots community support and fund-raising, but many more are under threat in the valley.

Steeves/Trail Mix: Do your bit to help protect valuable wetlands

They're at risk throughout the Okanagan Valley, but a project now underway encourages you to help protect wetlands.

This healthy wetland and Rose Valley Pond have been protected due to grassroots community support and fund-raising, but many more are under threat in the valley.