BCLNA Industry Development Council

The BCLNA Industry Development Council (IDC) was formed in 2001 to establish a long-term fund to improve the BC nursery industry, through research and industry development projects and other initiatives.

Mandate/Background

In 2001, the agriculture industry in BC became eligible for a one-time payout of funds provided by way of federal safety net funds.  The nursery growers in BC were informed of their eligibility for $1.58 million.  At a growers meeting held in August 2001, the industry voted unanimously to pool the funds for overall industry development rather than distribute funds to individual growers.  The nursery growers believe that establishing a long-term positive impact for all nursery growers will help the entire industry grow and prosper.

The BC Landscape & Nursery Association Industry Development Council was created to facilitate the management of these funds for increased profitability and reduced risk in the BC nursery industry.  The IDC functions as a semi-autonomous council under the existing structures of the BCLNA. The IDC elects its own representatives, has a separate bank account, and is directly responsible to the growers; the BCLNA Board of Directors must confirm all projects and financials of the IDC.

Based on extensive consultation with stakeholders, review by growers, and ongoing input from the Industry Development steering committee, the following concept was developed to guide the funding of new projects to benefit the industry.

Vision

Projects funded must support the BCLNA strategic vision of:

Being an organization whose actions are resulting in increasing global recognition of British Columbia as a leader in landscape horticulture.

Guiding Principles

Projects must help stakeholders adapt to structural changes, capture new opportunities, and contribute to nursery producers achieving sustainable, stable, and adequate farm income.

Projects funded must fall within the BCLNA’s strategic operating priorities as listed below:

  • Develop markets (inside BC and export markets)
  • Maximize performance (industry standards, access to leading edge information and technology)
  • Assure access to relevant, quality education services
  • Manage regulatory issues
  • Develop and maintain efficient/effective industry Association (to ensure broad representation of BC Nursery Growers)

2018 BCLNA Industry Development Council Committee Members

Chair: Doug De Jong, Misty Meadow Nursery

Jonathan Klinck, Atlasta Tree Nursery Inc.

Len Smit, Bradner’s Growing Concern

Dave Van Belle, Van Belle Nursery Inc.

Garfield Marshall, Advance Nursery Co. Ltd.

Miles Hunter, David Hunter Garden Centres

Bruce Hunter, Hunter Landscape Design Limited

Will Wildeboer, TG Nursery & Sons Ltd.

Dave Woodske, Nursery, Greenhouse & Floriculture Specialist, BC Ministry of Agriculture (ex-officio)

Hedy Dyck, BCLNA, (ex-officio)

For further information about project proposals, or completed projects contact:

Hedy Dyck, BCLNA’s Chief Operating Officer