|
Kootenay Farmer newsletter is an initiative of the Kootenay & Boundary Farm Advisors to communicate with farmers and ranchers, and to grow and support the agriculture sector.
|
|
Hibernating, Learning and Planning
Chipping ice from livestock water troughs and shoveling off greenhouses has been a necessary outdoor activity for producers this winter!
KBFA welcomed farmers indoors for a lineup of online networking including a great tomato production presentation from Dr. Vern Grubinger from the University of Vermont's Extension program.
View the list of KBFA 's winter event recordings.
|
Balancing nutrient requirements for greenhouse crops was a highlight of Dr. Grubinger's tomato production presentation!
|
|
|
Basin Business Advisors: Myth-Busting the Wholesale Food Market
Join the Basin Business Advisors for a webinar series breaking down the myths and challenges of selling wholesale for producers, processors, and value-added. Topics include:
- Busting the Myths of Wholesale: February 8
- Demystifying Wholesale for Primary Producers: February 9
- How to be a Good Supplier to Your Retail Partners: February 10
"Deep dive" topics for established food businesses, including:
- Food Labelling & Licensing: February 15
- How to Build a Profitable Wholesale Market: February 17
- Marketing for Wholesale: March 1
- Inside Information for Scaling your Food Product Business: March 3
Register for all sessions here
|
|
|
Farmland Riparian Health 101
Get ready to learn more about riparian health! An upcoming webinar and field day series are presented by Lee Hesketh of the Farmland Riparian Interface Stewardship Program/BC Cattleman’s Association, Gregoire Lamoureux of Kootenay Permaculture, and other knowledgeable folks!
First, join us for an interactive Farmland Riparian Health webinar in early March 2022 to learn about the function of riparian areas and how to protect them, find out how healthy riparian areas can reduce flood damage and support agricultural production, and discover potential resources to help the riparian areas on your farm.
In Summer 2022, we will take to the field or a series of riparian health field days! Details and dates TBA. Stay tuned for event dates and keep an eye on our event page.
|
|
Seeding Rates & On-Farm Measurements
Online: Wednesday, February 2
Hear from producers about the importance of seeding rates to optimize production based on their own on-farm trials. Dr. Catherine Tarasoff will introduce research templates to measure yield to fine tune your seeding rates.
Learn more and register here
|
|
|
How to Design Your Own On-Farm Research Workshop
Online: Tuesday, February 8
Do you have research ideas that you would like to pursue on your farm? During this workshop, Dr. Catherine Tarasoff will support producers to work through research design and share templates to help guide your research. View the Grab & Go Templates
Learn more and register here
|
|
|
Pest Management for Small Farms
Online: Wednesday, February 9
Join this interactive online workshop to discuss pest management for small farms using real examples including spider mites and carrot rust fly. Participants will take away tools that they can apply to the specific needs of their own farm.
Learn more and register here
|
|
|
Experiences from the Field: Cover Crops for Forage
Online: Wednesday, February 16
Facilitated by the BC Forage Council, Kootenay producers will share their experiences incorporating cover crops into their forage rotations. Cover crop specialists will discuss the balance between risk and reward when considering what species to plant and timing.
Learn more and register here
|
|
|
|
Other Great Upcoming Events
|
|
|
How to Hire and Retain Workers on Your Farm - Basin Business Advisors
Wednesday, February 2
No matter the size of your operation, a strong farm team is what gets you through the busy season! Join BBA to learn about attraction and retention of employees. Learn more.
Gnocchi Night with Edible Acres - Columbia Valley Food + Farm
Tuesday, February 15
Join Edible Acres with Columbia Valley Food + Farm for a delicious virtual lesson on gnocchi preparation! Learn more.
|
|
KBFA Event Recordings & Resources
KBFA has been busy with a variety of online events the last few weeks with some spectacular expert speakers! If you missed them, check out our archived events pages:
Virtual Grazing Conference
Peace Country Beef & Forage Association hosted a Virtual Grazing Conference spanning the last few weeks! If you missed Dr. Kris Nichol's presentation on grazing for soil health, you can watch the recording here.
|
|
McCormack Farm - Local Meat, Burton
|
|
Article from Country Life in BC
Forest McCormack, a third-generation cattle farmer in Burton knows his herd. Early in his farming career, Forest discovered regenerative agriculture practices: "It showed me that farming could be kind to the earth, as well as provide a good lifestyle." McCormack Farm produces locally raised beef, chicken and eggs that are sold around the Kootenays including farmer's markets in Kaslo, New Denver and Nakusp.
|
This article was written after KBFA's October field day, "Growing Your Herd Locally: Traits and Characteristics for Local Beef Production." Read abut the field day here.
|
|
Apple Quill Farm - Market Gardens, East Kootenay
|
|
Video produced by Mark Locki
Michael Albert and Marie-Eve Fradette of Apple Quill Farm in Wycliffe began farming, in part, to ensure their children had knowledge about and access to healthy, local food. This short documentary explores food security, food systems, and the importance of supporting local farms.
Watch the full video here
|
|
Riverside Farm - Farm to Fiber, Brisco
|
|
Profile by Columbia Valley Food + Farm
Jennifer Bowes and Trevor Hann of Riverside Farm in Brisco keep over 130 sheep, raised for both fibre and meat. True to its name, Riverside Farm perches on the edge of the Columbia River, creating the perfect place for the first-generation farmers to produce wool, lamb, raw fleece, yarn, dryer balls, and hand-knit toques.
Read the full article
|
|
KBFA Advisors took a visit to Riverside Farm in the Spring of 2021 to check out operations and meet the sheep!
|
|
NEW General Advisor with KBFA - Danny Smart
|
|
KBFA welcomes a new General Advisor to our team from Kimberley, BC! Danny is an environmental scientist who received an undergraduate degree in Natural Resource Management with a minor in First Nations Studies from the University of Northern British Columbia. For the past 5 years Danny has focused her work within the invasive plant management sector and brings experience of plant identification, project implementation and coordination, and developing large-scale management plans.
Learn more about the KBFA team here
|
|
In her role with KBFA, Danny is looking forward to hosting field days to bring producers together and listening to the key production issues and interests from ranchers and farmers.
|
|
Thank you to our sponsors:
|
|
|
|
|
|
