Those attending the 121st B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association’s annual convention told Thomson low apple prices have many orchardists wondering if they’ll be able to continue farming.

“Our dreams are turning into nightmares,” Kelowna grower Tarsem Goraya said.

“This is an industry in crisis,” Fred Steele, another Kelowna grower, said. “Soon, we’ll be on life support, and once we’re dead, it really won’t matter.”

Prices for many apple varieties have fallen below the cost of production, continuing a sharp two-year drop in farm receipts.

“We’re looking for some help here,” said Vernon grower Jeet Dukhia, who complained the budget of the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands was one of the lowest of any such agency in Canada.

For his part, Thomson acknowledge the ministry’s budget had been scaled back, along with those of many other government departments, as government revenues decline during the recession.

The provincial government is trying to preserve spending on core programs such as health, education and social services, in part by transferring money from other departments, Thomson said.

“I know that has impacted our budget,” he said. “You’ll hear the same comment from other ministers.”

Some growers questioned the government’s spending on the Winter Olympics, but Thomson said the Games would provide an opportunity to “celebrate and recognize” the province’s agricultural sector.

Still, he said it would be “short-sighted and naïve” for government not to acknowledge the serious challenges confronting all aspects of the agricultural economy.

A new version of the long-dormant “Buy B.C.” marketing program, which encouraged consumers to purchase produce grown in the province, could soon be revived, Thomson suggested.

“It’s my goal – one of our priorities within the ministry – to try to get a program back in place that achieves that goal,” he said.

A new version of the program might focus on creating consumer awareness of and support for specific growing regions, such as the Okanagan and Vancouver Island, Thomson said. That approach could dovetail with the preference of a growing number of people to buy food that is produced from nearby locations, rather than shipped over great distances.

“That (preference) is clearly not just a fad,” Thomson said. “It’s something that can position us for the future.”

Joe Sardinha will stay at the helm of the association for the sixth straight year. The Summerland orchardist was returned to the president’s position by acclamation during the convention.