Okanagan farmers dumped their leader  Vernon grower Jeet Dukhia at the BCFGA convention in Kelowna Saturday.

Dukhia, (right) who had been president for 18 months, defeated by Kelowna’s Fred Steele during an election.

Steele is a former vice-president of the association, which represents tree fruit growers in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys.

Steele told delegates:

“We need a new approach and we need a plan beyond simply wanting something.”

“This truly was a coalition vote because I was supported by Indo-Canadian and non-Indo-Canadian members.”

For 2014, Steele (left)wants to secure long-term funding so orchardists can replant to high-density trees and have better crop insurance. He also wants to convince more people to come into the industry and to plant empty land with apples and cherries.

Steele was a former broadcaster/commercial announcer in Penticton.