My Story
This is where I grew up and learned to graft, prune, pick and have fun
During summers while attending University I worked at the Agriculture Canada Summerland Research Station and for the BC Department of Agriculture (now the BC Ministry of Agriculture). Summer jobs included work with apple root diseases, the Codling Moth Sterile Insect Project and the Little Cherry Survey.
After University I travelled through the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia visiting fruit farms, orchards and Agricultural Research Stations. In the State of Victoria we picked Williams pears (Bartlett) in Shepperton, and in the state of Tasmania we picked many apple cultivars in the Huon Valley over a long 4 month harvest
Back in Canada I worked as a technical field advisor (fieldman) for a large co-operative tree fruit packer in the Okanagan Valley. In 1979 I joined the BC Ministry of Agriculture as a Horticultural Advisor (Extension Agent). The primary focus of this initial position was to provide technical advice and problem resolution for commercial orchards and other horticultural business in the West and East Kootenay region, and at times into the Okanagan Valley. Over the next 28 years I moved through a number of specialist positions with the Ministry ending as the Manager of Agricultural Innovation.
In 2007 I was appointed the Manager of Agricultural Innovation at the BC Innovation Council (nowInovate BC). My roll there was commercialization of agricultural technologies from academic institutions and private industry. In 2008 I was appointed Director of Life Sciences for the BC Innovation Council, a position responsible for all the biological sciences and institutions from cancer research to biofuels. These are what I call my suit days!
In 2010 I left the BC Government and started consulting in many areas of agriculture and finally to start the business now called Fruit From Trained Trees and Virtual Fruit Tree Advisor. I now provide commercial orchardists across British Columbia and espalier fruit tree enthusiasts around the world with world class, professional fruit tree advice and mentoring.
