Kathleen Gibson

Kathleen Gibson manages the BCFPA’s Sustainable Food Safety program.  The new program’s two major purposes are to help support a food safety culture for BC and stability in the livestock and meat sector, post licensing transition.  The program’s key elements include a focus on training, regional and market analysis, and food safety strategies.

Kathleen is a Principal of GBH Consulting Group Ltd. and a food systems specialist and policy analyst based in Victoria. She holds an M.A. and diplomas in communications and conflict resolution. She has worked for BC farmers and now develops and works on sustainable agriculture and food security projects locally, provincially and nationally. She also writes a monthly op-ed column for Country Life in BC, BC’s farm newspaper.

Adam Ford

Adam Ford comes to BCFPA with a variety of experience: from customer service to database management to instructing various classes at a local career college to office administration. He also brings with him a strong work-ethic and commitment to quality.

Adam lives in Abbotsford with his daughter Delaney.

Abra Brynne

Abra Brynne has worked as a community developer and information broker since she moved to the West Kootenays in 1990. Her primary focus and passion is agriculture and food, dating back to her childhood on a small fruit and subsistence farm in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. Abra has worked since the mid 1990s on providing education and resources to both ends of the food production chain - farmers and consumers. She has extensive experience in environmental and social standards development and conformity assessment, on a regional, provincial, national and international level. Abra is based in Nelson in the West Kootenays and sits on many committees and boards at various geographical levels, all connected to food and agriculture.

Murray Coates

Murray Coates is a consulting agrologist who practices out of his home office on Salt Spring Island, BC. Up until 2003, his practice was located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Murray was educated at the University of Manitoba and the University of Guelph, obtaining a degree in Agribusiness Management. He is a registered agrologist and also has held a CMC designation for over 12 years. He has done business plans and feasibility studies for abattoirs and food processing operations throughout Canada. He has also worked on agribusiness and manufacturing projects with overseas companies in Finland, Wales and the Netherlands. He has been with BCFPA since the inception of MIES. Some of his best work is inspired through travel on his Harley Davidson.