Certified Organics

Varalaya Farm is a certified organic operation, part of COABC and Member farm #907 of Island Organic Producers Association (IOPA) . We are also a TLC (The Land Conservancy of BC) Conservation Partner Program member, for more TLC info visit http://www.conservancy.bc.ca .

Certified Organic Information - COABC (Certified Organic Associations of BC)

If you would like I.T. Training and one most excellent Web Portal for Organic:

Go to the Rural Capacity Building Through Organic Agriculture webportal.

Organic Inspection Services

Ron is a member of Independent Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA)

For some other Certified Organics information you can call Ron Pither 250-539-2034 or cell 539-0089 or email rpither@gulfislands.com

Land Trusting, Conservancy,
and Stewardship activities

Ron was a charter director of the Land Trust Alliance of BC with 50 Member groups acquiring by purchase, covenant or stewardship agreements sensitive and settled/worked landscapes in trust. Now over 900,000 hectares owned or covenanted by the Land Trust and Conservancies in British Columbia. Now over 900,000 hectares owned or protection covenanted by land trusts and conservancies in British Columbia.
The office tel: (250)538-0112
or email

Community Economic Development (CED)
and fundraising strategies for community
organizations and businesses

Ron is a charter incorporating member of the CCEC Credit Union (Community Congress for Economic Change )(604) 254-4100 ) a truly community based credit union now with working assets of over $20 million.

Ron has also extensive work experience with the non-profit (NP) sector and non-govermental organizations (NGO) in the last 35 years.

He recommends the BC CED monthly email newsletter for important news about these sectors in BC. To subscribe email . This monthly newsletter is published by the BC Community Economic Development Network (BC CEDNet) a regional network of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network.

Fairtrading, International Aid,
and Business Development

Ron has 30 international and Gulf Island years experience as an organic merchant farmer and forester working on issues of global ecological sustainability and security.

He has owned and managed Natural Food stores and currently develops sustainable domestic and export food product marketing systems for private, co-operative, community and non-profit entities.

As an international Fair Trade advisor, monitor, and practitioner, with similar roles within the Certified Organic trades as an importer/broker, processor, retailer, and producer, Ron can offer you his services in this sector. Read about some of his Central American experiences in the 'about us' area of the site.