OSOYOOS — It’s estimated more than 122 acres will be replanted in the Okanagan for the 2016/2017 season thanks to a $1-million funding announcement on Thursday.
The money will be available over the duration of the province’s seven-year tree fruit replant program.
READ MORE: Okanagan fruit could go farther with B.C. fruit replanting grant
“We heard loud and clear from growers that the replant program is a huge success for replanting low-value orchards with high-demand varieties like Ambrosia and Honeycrisp apples and late-season cherries. This funding commitment will provide even more farming families with the chance to earn a higher income as they continue to support their local community,” said Ashton.
Thanks to the funding, 25 orchardists are now approved for the program on top of the 61 that were already approved prior to the funding announcement. There are 16 orchardists who are still waiting for approval.
Pam Van Kalkeren, an Osoyoos orchardist, learned at the announcement that her project has just been approved.
“We never know from year to year what our income is going to be. Expenses are going up, but income doesn’t necessarily go up, so to have this support in the background that we can rely on, it is very important,” said Van Kalkern.
MLA Linda Larson said she is optimistic that those on the waitlist will get funding because some applicants apply to replant more than what they needed so this frees up grant money for those on the wait list.
“According to previous years, we have what we call ‘slippage,’ which means that some may not go through or whatever. And we anticipate that the slippage will be more than enough to cover those on the waitlist,” said Larson.
On average, a grower will spend $30,000 to replant an acre of apples. Under the replant program, the B.C. government will reimburse about $7,000, which is roughly 20 per cent of the costs.
~ With files from Angela Jung
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