Welcome to “the Cherry Pit”with news and views at the heart of the BC Cherry industry.

As well as information about employment opportunities in our sunny BC cherry orchards, this site now includes current and past OKCGA newsletters, updates on current projects, events (see What's Up below), and issues, and a members’area providing access to full research reports from completed projects and reports. Membership is open. Join us!

LOOKING FOR WORK? Go to WORK IN OUR ORCHARDS to find a complete listing of the best orchards to work in this summer.

For foreign applicants requiring work visas, please be aware that Working Holiday visas are available from some countries. 

GROWERS:The website orchard listings were very successful for recruiting labour in 2007, so make sure you send in your research levies and membership renewal to stay listed for 2008! Please remember the research levy is voluntary but an important contribution to help fund the research and other projects we are benefit from.  

Click here for Membership Form.

Recent News

The PARC Cherry Day has been set for July 31 at 6:00 pm, in the evening to accommodate growers who are busy with harvest.  This is a great opportunity to see new selections available for testing and to view the progress of other new varieties. 

The June 2008 newsletter is now out - full of articles and information and a grower survey to help OKCGA better meet the needs of cherry growers in BC.   If you have not received your emailed copy, please let us know!

We are still looking for your feedback from the member survey that was included with the SPRING 2008 OKCGA Newsletter Please take a few minutes to fill in the survey and mail, fax, or email it back to us.  Your opinion is important to help OKCGA work for you.

The Minimum Residue Limit (MRL) list has been updated by Hugh Philip for the 2008 season, and should be reviewed for any necessary changes to your spray program. 

Feburary 5th and 6th OKCGA Research and General Meeting had an excellent program this year. Thank you to the many presenters and organizers who put in so much time and made it so interesting.  The new format provided more discussion time which was well used.  Some of the PRESENTATIONS from the program have been uploaded to this website for those who missed it or would like to see them again.

Reports of research projects conducted in 2007 were presented in detail on February 5th 2008 at PARC with fieldmen and related industry  consultants and professionals attending. Proposals for 2008 research were presented and discussed.  2007 Research Project Reports have now been uploaded to the Members Area on this website:

• Cherry response to Management reatment (Neilsens)
• Fungicide Use and Residue Testing (Holder)
• Management Practices and Changing Insecticide Use (Holder)
• Tree Effects From Spray Applications(Neilsen)
• Increasing Efficacy of Generic G.A (Hogue)
• Post Harvest Hot Water Treatment

An area-wide Starling Control program funded jointly by the regional districts, BCFGA, BC Grape Growers, and OKCGA is expected to be in full operation in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys for 2008.  Thanks to everyone who has been helping raise support for this.

Flint has been registered for use on cherries but the labelling is not yet approved.

Scientific Research and Development Tax Credits for 2005 levies spent on 2006 research projects are being mailed out now. This tax credit should be applied on tax returns with a year-end prior to June 30, 2008.  This tax credit makes your effective cost of contributing to valuable research for our industry even lower, so please take advantage of it - and feel even better about sending in your important levy contribution on your 2007 production.

The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) program was very effective in 2007, with improved co-ordination through our participation in Western Agricultural Labour Initiative (WALI).   The OKCGA is working with WALI to continue to facilitate and improve this program. Growers planning to apply for foreign workers under the program should register with WALI and get the latest information on program requirements and guidelines.

What’s Up...

• Thursday, July 31, 2008 PARC Cherry Day

6:00pm to 8:00 pm: 2008 , Summerland Research Station.  Meet next to the superintendant's house.