COABC - Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia

COABC Provides COABC Connects COABC Educates COABC Communicates

Provides

Accreditation to member agencies who inspect and certify organic farms throughout BC
Administration of the BC Certified Organic Program
Marketing tools and promotional support for certified organic operators
Leadership in national organic standards
Up-to-date industry information via the COABC website, Cyber-Help, e-news, and staff support
Networking and sharing opportunities for stakeholders
An Online directory of local suppliers and growers
Representation to the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands in matters relating to the Agri-Food Choice and Quality Act of British Columbia
Access to the Organic Sector Development Program, a multi-million dollar federal-provincial fund that encourages research and developmentto encourage and facillitate organic production
Research Fund programs helping to match project funding partners' investments and agencies

Connects

Organic growers and farmers, processors, handlers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers
Consumers with organic producers
Local and global producers with stakeholders
Directly with provincial and federal governments

Educates

Through Cyber-Help, the most popular on-line organic resource in Western Canada
By circulating the quarterly journal, the BC Organic Grower
Through it comprehensive Website
By employing qualified staff to respond to calls

Communicates

Local and provincial events and issues
Regulatory and industry updates

What's New

Honour for COABC President Mary Forstbauer and Vancity
Vancouver Farmers Markets presented both Mary Forstbauer of Forstbauer Farms and Vancity Credit Union with the 2012 Award for Leadership in Food Security in their Region on behalf of Your Local Farmers Market Society (YLFMS).

The honour is typically awarded to a single individual or organization, but this year YLFMS bestowed it upon two deserving recipients that have both made an outstanding contribution to food security in the Lower Mainland. Mary Forstbauer of Forstbauer Farms, and her husband Hans have been leaders in the organic movement since the inception of their farm thirty years ago and they continue to adhere to biodynamic standards. Vancity Credit Union is a longtime supporter of Vancouver Farmers Markets, providing sponsorship for the non-profit as well as offering the Small Growers Fund, a competitive loan for small-scale farmers.

COABC is proud to be connected to both of these deserving recipients. Mary is the COABC president and Vancity is a 2012 COABC Diamond sponsor. Congratulations to both.