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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.
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Happy Autumn, Happy Harvest
September was a great month for harvesting fall crops and feeling the abundance of our region. Producers gathered at Ravine Creek in the Slocan Valley to discuss no-till commercial vegetable faming and at Thistle Farm in Creston to discuss garlic production and cover crops (click links above to see photos).
Every field day uncovers a unique agricultural journey and story as each farm has different growing conditions, access to markets and agricultural inputs and tools.
Thank you for sharing farmers!
In this issue we highlight funding opportunities as it seems that new opportunities are being rolled out weekly!
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Kip Cantrell of Thistle Farm shows his newest method fry drying large amounts of garlic that includes removing the tops and laying garlic in well ventilated totes for drying. The process is fast, reduces rot and improves quality. This year he hopes to plant 50,000 garlic bulbs!
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Funding and Education for Rotational Grazing
If you rotationally graze livestock, there might be funding for you!
1. Federal funding: The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association is funding grazing management plans and grazing infrastructure. Producers can apply for projects up to $20,000/year. Learn more. Partnership with the BC Forage Council.
2. BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund provides funding for cover cropping, nitrogen management and rotational grazing. Current intake closes October 15. Learn more. Talk to the program coordinator: 778.401.8062
Learn: Advanced Grazing Systems program is a free online course for farm operators to learn the techniques of rotational grazing with the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association. Winter 2022/23 (free!).
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Basin's Biggest Food Market: October 5, Invermere
The annual Basin Food Festival is in Invermere this year as part of the two-day Food and Buyers Expo. Check out the Basin's Biggest Food Market on Wednesday, October 5 from 2-8 p.m. 50+ produceres will be vending farm fresh foods, artisanal gourmet foods, and craft beverages. FREE!
More information here.
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Business Bootcamp Starts October 6, 2022!
This online farm business program with the Young Agrarians will give you the space and skills to develop a business plan for the farm of your dreams. October 6 - December 15, 2022. The live sessions will be held on Thursday evenings for 11 weeks.
Learn more and apply here.
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NEW Funding to Help BC Farmers Prepare for Extreme Weather $$$
Mark your calendars! The Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture pilot program will reopen for a second intake of applications this fall. Through this pilot program, farmers and ranchers can reduce the risks from extreme weather by accessing funding for risk assessments and infrastructure upgrades. Eligible applicants can access up to $35K in cost-shared funding. Learn more.
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Farm Tour & Tool School with Young Agrarians
Krestova: October 23
Join the Young Agrarians for a Land Social and Tool School at Linden Lane Farms in Krestova (near Nelson). If you’re curious about what land matching is all about, as well as affordable tool rentals, join this social farm event. A special BSC tractor maintenance session is from 3pm - 4pm. Learn more & register
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Columbia Valley Food & Farm - Farm Share
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Columbia Valley Food & Farm worked with 7 local food and farm businesses over 12 weeks to deliver fresh and healthy food to 29 households. The boxes were created by supplementing a CSA box from Edible Acres Farm and supplementing it with fruit, honey, soup stock, and other goodies from six other valley food and farm businesses.
Read on
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Columbia Valley Food & Farm worked with farms to supply food boxes to local households.
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Just-a-Mere Farm - Creston Valley
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Kootenay Co-Op Blog Feature
For 12 years, Danny Turner and his family have been operating an organic farm in the Creston Valley. The choice to farm organically was one centred on the health and longevity organic practices can bring. "I want to be able to live in harmony with the land and the farm," says Danny.
Watch the full feature here.
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Just-a-Mere Farm in the Creston Valley operates on 14 acres of land currently producing cherries, apples, blueberries, plums, peaches, asparagus and walnuts, plus a two acre vegetable garden
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Video Series: Farmer-Researcher Collaboration Explores Overwinter Tarps
Vegetable farmers from across BC, including Kootenay farms, partnered with UBC researchers in the Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes Lab to investigate how using tarps as overwinter soil protection affects soil health and yields the following spring. This video series shares the experiences and lessons learned from one of the farm partners, including practical tips for using tarps, and key research results.
Find the video series here.
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NEW Federal Funding for Indigenous Food Systems
Introducing the Indigenous Food Systems and Agriculture Partnership (IFSAP) program! As much as $80,000 per project will be provided through the new program for Indigenous-led projects. IFSAP funds activities involved in agriculture, food processing, and/or food systems planning, training and skills development, technological adoption, productivity and profitability improvements, and climate change adaptations.
Applications open on September 26, 2022 and will remain open until October 31, 2022.
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Thank you to KBFA sponsors. A collaborative partnership between three Regional Districts and Columbia Basin Trust.
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