The provincial government will hear loud and clear about the state of agriculture in B.C. during a caucus retreat the South Okangan this week.

The BC Fruit Growers Association (BCFGA) is staging a Stronger Together - Rally For Farmers in Osoyoos on Tuesday (May 28) afternoon.

A BCFGA media release states farmers and growers have been hit hard.

鈥淭he heat dome of 2021 was followed by back-to-back cold snaps, and these unprecedented weather events have been taking big bites out of the local agricultural community.鈥�

The BCFGA is looking to untie growers, consumers, and policymakers in support of the agricultural industry.

鈥淚 am very worried about the toll the last few years are taking on farmers,鈥� said BCFGA Vice-President Sukhdeep Brar. 鈥淚 am worried about the number of orchards and vineyards that are going up for sale. I鈥檓 worried that there鈥檚 not a future in Okanagan farming for my kids.鈥�

The rally is set for Gyro Park in Osoyoos starting a 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Scheduled speakers BCFGA President Peter Simonsen, and former provincial agriculture ministers Corky Evans and John Van Dongen.

鈥淲e were very fortunate that over 50 years ago a courageous group of politicians established the Agricultural Land Reserve with the goal of protecting food production for future generations,鈥� Simonsen said. 鈥淭hat future has arrived and we have protected the land but support for farming has eroded to unsustainable levels under the leadership of various political parties.鈥�

NDP MLAs have been invited to attend to connect with growers, but not to speak at the rally.

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