MARKET REPORT, NOV. 6, 2015
We lost a farmer, a friend and a hero all at once.
The listings for BC field and greens crops are dropping like flies – miserable regular old November weather, with another good soaking this weekend will clinch the deal – nothing is growing and it’s no fun to harvest in the mud.Other than up and down pricing as we are full on into the transition right down South, and markets are also positioning for the US Thanksgiving weekend, although its 20 days away already – but major chains are booking ads NOW.We’re slowly wrapping our heads around this new software, and working out a few more glitches, but we are getting closer and closer to being where we wanna be, this should make all our orders easier!You will see a separate specials sheet today, instead of on top of the price list like they were before. We’re still working on some other presentation issues for you.Many, if not most of you will have seen Forstbauer Farm on our price lists since 1998. Mary Forstbauer, one of the champions of the organic movement, winner of many awards, and notorious as the hardest-working behind the scenes activist for organics, non GMO and other all things good, left us this week after a two month illness. Her passing has hurt like hell – we lost a farmer, a friend and a hero all at once.Mary has served as president of the Biodynamic Society of BC, the Certified Organic Assns. of BC, the Farmers Markets, to name a few, and helped to put most of the standards and protocols that we take for granted today in organics, into place. Mary made sure that the organic sector she poured her soul into, is left with strong, inclusive goals, having built bridges with government agencies, policy makers, and AG sector organizations, and leading our sector, and community, out of the niche it was born in, to take our place in the wider community. She always felt that we should be great neighbours, whether we work in politics, farming, or homemaking. She and her husband and farming partner Hans have left an amazing legacy-many of their 12 children are farmers.So thanks Mary. You have left the path very well lit.