Organic BC

SEP 17, 2023: SALT SPRING ISLAND, BC – LAND LINKING WORKSHOP
2023-09-17 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | British Columbia
GOT LAND? WANT LAND? Are you a landholder looking for farmers? Are you a farmer looking for land? We want you!
Co-hosted with the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust
Join us for a workshop on the nuts and bolts of land access. Young Agrarians Land Linking Workshops bring together landholders and farmers seeking land to network, explore possible land matches, and learn how to navigate land sharing and lease agreements.
Our Vancouver Island Land Matcher, Kiyomi Ito will be there to talk about how the B.C. Land Matching Program supports land seekers and landholders, and share key questions to ask, legal considerations, and building and maintaining stable land agreements that are mutually beneficial. Members of the Farmland Trust will be there to talk about the land access context on Salt Spring Island.
Date: Sunday, September 17, 2023
Time: Land Linking Workshop 1-3pm | Food Share Potluck 3-5pm
Learn more and register here: https://youngagrarians.org/saltspring-land-link/

Organic Week 2023
2023-09-18 - 2023-09-24 | British Columbia
Save the date!
Canada’s National Organic Week is the largest annual celebration of organic food, farming and products across the country. Hundreds of individual events showcase the benefits of organic agriculture and its positive impact on the environment.

Weed Management Field Day @ KPU Farm
2023-09-20 10:30 - 14:30 | KPU Farm, 5500 Garden City Road, Richmond, BC, V6X 2G9, Canada
On Wednesday, Sept 20th, join Organic BC at KPU Farm in Richmond for a look at different, innovative weeding tools and techniques, including weed steamers and cultivators. We’ll explore different sets of tools aimed at keeping weeds at bay in an efficient, labour-saving manner, with intros and demos of:

SW900 Steam Unit along with the different applicator heads available for different weeding goals and crops
Tilmor powered walk-behind cultivators and attachment tools
New Tilmor steerable, tractor-mounted cultivator

There will also be time for Q&A after each demo with reps from Steam n’ Weeds and Thiessen Tillage Equipment, a light lunch & refreshments, and an optional tour of the research and work happening at KPU Farm!
This event is free but registration is required. Save your spot here.

OCT 21, 2023: ARMSTRONG, BC – LAND LINKING WORKSHOP
2023-10-21 13:00 - 17:00 | British Columbia
GOT LAND? WANT LAND? Are you a landholder looking for farmers? Are you a farmer looking for land? We want you!
Join us for a workshop on the nuts and bolts of land access. Young Agrarians Land Linking Workshops bring together landholders and farmers seeking land to network, explore possible land matches, and learn how to navigate land sharing and lease agreements.
Our B.C. Land Matching Program Manager Darcy Smith and our Okanagan Land Matcher, Pascale Schittecatte will be there to talk about how land matching supports land seekers and landholders, and share key questions to ask, legal considerations, and building and maintaining stable land agreements that are mutually beneficial.
Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023 | 1-5pm
Location: Traditional Syilx and Secwépemc Territories. Odd Fellows Hall, 3005 Wood Ave, Armstrong, BC
Register: Please RSVP here – https://youngagrarians.org/landlinkarmstrong2023

OCT 22, 2023: NELSON, BC – LAND LINKING WORKSHOP
2023-10-22 13:00 - 17:00 | British Columbia
GOT LAND? WANT LAND? Are you a landholder looking for farmers? Are you a farmer looking for land? We want you!
Join us for a workshop on the nuts and bolts of land access. Young Agrarians Land Linking Workshops bring together landholders and farmers seeking land to network, explore possible land matches, and learn how to navigate land sharing and lease agreements.
Our B.C. Land Matching Program Manager Darcy Smith and our Columbia Basin Land Matcher, Nyree Marsh will be there to talk about how land matching supports land seekers and landholders, and share key questions to ask, legal considerations, and building and maintaining stable land agreements that are mutually beneficial.
Date: Sunday, October 22, 2023 | 1-5pm
Location: Traditional Sinixt, Ktunaxa & Syilx Territories. Nelson, BC
Learn more and register here: https://youngagrarians.org/landlinknelson2023

Grain Storage & Aeration Webinar
2023-10-26 08:00 - 09:15 | Online
Harvest is a great time to brush up on best practices and research on grain storage and aeration, to ensure your valuable crops are safe in the bins.
We’ll hear from Dr. Ron Palmer (bio and photo coming soon!) about his research and recommended strategies for using aeration fans to dry and condition grain.
Tickets: $20.00 +GST & Eventbrite fee
Click Here to Register
*No refunds. All registrants will receive a link to the recording in the event you can’t attend the live webinar.
*While we do our best to bring you the program as advertised, it is subject to change.

OCT 28-29, 2023: CAWSTON, BC – WORK PARTY AT THE LOWER SIMILKAMEEN COMMUNITY FOOD HUB, FARM AND GARDEN
2023-10-28 - 2023-10-29 | British Columbia
You’re invited to a work party at the Lower Similkameen Community Food Hub, Farm and Garden! Come out to lend a hand with fall farm work and building infrastructure to grow Indigenous food sovereignty. Everyone is welcome to attend. There are a variety of tasks to do such as building shelves, digging, planting garlic, canning, cooking, and more. We can’t wait to gather with you and celebrate the season together!
Join for the whole weekend or as much as you’re able.

Date: October 28-29, 2023, weather-dependent. Join for the whole weekend or as much as you’re able.
Location: syilx Territory. Cawston, BC
Learn more and register here: https://youngagrarians.org/lower-similkameen-work-party

2023 Organic Alberta Conference
2023-11-03 - 2023-11-04 | Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre, 2100 Premier Way, Sherwood Park, Alberta, T8H 2G4, Canada
Curious about different ways to farm? Register for the Organic Alberta Conference on Nov. 3-4 in Sherwood Park, the ultimate gathering for organic and regenerative agriculture enthusiasts! Explore sessions on soil health, grain marketing, climate resilience, cover crops, and collaborating to advance low-input and regenerative practices. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your knowledge!
TICKETS HERE: organicalberta.org/conference

2023 BC Organic Conference
2023-11-07 - 2023-11-09 | Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, 273 Power St, Penticton, British Columbia, V2A 7K9, Canada
Early-bird registration is now open for the 2023 BC Organic Conference! Join us in Penticton from November 7 – 9 to reconnect, exchange ideas and learn from experts.
And, get ready to celebrate! It’s Organic BC’s 30th anniversary and we plan on making this conference the biggest and best yet! With a wide range of sessions, off-site farm tours, research facility tours, a packed trade show, and amazing organic meals, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Register now at: bcorganic2023.eventbrite.ca!
For full conference details, including sessions and schedule, visit: organicbc.org/conference

About the BC Organic Conference
Each year, members of the organic community come together at our annual BC Organic Conference. The event is a chance to visit with current and future leaders in the BC organic sector, exchange ideas, eat amazing meals, learn from experts, and return home inspired by our incredible community before the growing season kicks into high gear.
The BC Organic Conference is open to anyone interested in organic agriculture, including Organic BC members, farmers looking to transition, researchers, students, like-minded organizations, and members of the general public. All are welcome!

NOV 18, 2023: COWICHAN, BC – LAND LINKING WORKSHOP
2023-11-18 13:00 - 17:00 | The Hub at Cowichan Station, 2375 Koksilah Rd, Duncan, BC, V9L 6M5, Canada
GOT LAND? WANT LAND? Are you a landholder looking for farmers? Are you a farmer looking for land? We want you!
Join us for a workshop on the nuts and bolts of land access. Young Agrarians Land Linking Workshops bring together landholders and farmers seeking land to network, explore possible land matches, and learn how to navigate land sharing and lease agreements.
Our B.C. Land Matching Program Manager Darcy Smith and our Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands Land Matcher, Kiyomi Ito will be there to talk about how land matching supports land seekers and landholders, and share key questions to ask, legal considerations, and building and maintaining stable land agreements that are mutually beneficial.
Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023 | 1-5pm
Location: Quw’utsun Territories. Duncan, BC.
Learn more and register here: https://youngagrarians.org/landlinkcowichan2023

Business Planning for Your Future Farm
2023-11-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Join Young Agrarian’s Melanie Buffel for a hands-on look at exercising your business planning muscles.
Are you thinking about starting a farm business or actively looking for land, but planning for your farm feels impossible with that big missing piece – the land? This session is a great starting point for planning how you’ll bring your farm to life, as well as figuring out just what land will be right for your business!
Date: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 | 7-8:30 PM PST
Location: Online on Indigenous territories across what is today known as B.C. Join us from the comfort of your couch, office, tractor, compost heap – wherever you find yourself able to tune in!
Register: Please RSVP on Eventbrite here.

NOV 26, 2023: LANGLEY, BC – LAND LINKING WORKSHOP
2023-11-26 13:00 - 17:00 | British Columbia
GOT LAND? WANT LAND? Are you a landholder looking for farmers? Are you a farmer looking for land? We want you!
Join us for a workshop on the nuts and bolts of land access. Young Agrarians Land Linking Workshops bring together landholders and farmers seeking land to network, explore possible land matches, and learn how to navigate land sharing and lease agreements.
Our B.C. Land Matching Program Manager Darcy Smith, Program Coordinator Kat Roger, and new Metro Vancouver Land Matcher will be there to talk about how land matching supports land seekers and landholders, and share key questions to ask, legal considerations, and building and maintaining stable land agreements that are mutually beneficial.
Date: Sunday, November 26, 2023 | 1-5pm
Location:Kwantlen, Katzie, Matsqui & Semiahmoo Territories. Langley Twp, BC
Learn more and register here: youngagrarians.org/landlinklangley2023

Better Together: Cooperative Solutions for Farmers
2023-11-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Join Emi Do, YA’s Co-op Coordinator, for a hands-on look at how collaboration fits into your farm
Are you feeling intimidated about the prospect of tackling your farming enterprise on your own? This session is a great place to get your collaborative juices flowing. Explore the myths, challenges, and opportunities of the cooperative model. Hear from farmers that are actively in co-ops about how they’re using collaboration to tackle the barriers to farming in our current food landscape – and make their farms, lives, and communities work.
Date: Tuesday, November 28, 2023 | 7-8:30 PM PST
Location: Online on Indigenous territories across what is today known as B.C. Join us from the comfort of your couch, office, tractor, compost heap – wherever you find yourself able to tune in!
REGISTER: Please RSVP on Eventbrite here.

Rotational Grazing and Cover Crop Integration Virtual Q&A
2023-12-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Online
A collaborative event between Small-Scale Meat Producers Association and FarmFolk CityFolk. This event consists of intensive rotational grazing techniques and cover cropping.
Join us for an evening about integrated beneficial management practices you can use on your farm. Cover cropping and rotational grazing can help to build soil, sequester carbon, improve pastures and animal health, increase crop yields and create a diversified ecosystem where plants and animals can thrive.
Cover cropping is a sustainable agricultural practice that involves planting crops specifically to improve soil health, increase climate adaptability and promote climate mitigation. Cover crops are grown primarily for the benefits they provide to the soil and the ecosystem and, when carefully chosen and managed, can be hugely beneficial to farmers. Benefits include protecting the soil from erosion, suppressing weeds, reducing soil compaction, increasing soil organic matter, improving soil structure, increasing soil water-holding capacity, and enhancing nutrient cycling. In addition, cover crops can provide a habitat for beneficial insects, such as pollinators and predators of pests.
Rotational grazing is a set of techniques used to control the time aspect of grazing that typically leads to overgrazing in a continuous grazing system. Livestock are moved into a defined area, typically called a paddock, where they have access to graze the plants in that area. They are then rotated to a new paddock while grazed plants have a chance to recover. The livestock are not moved back to that paddock again until the plants there have fully recovered.
We invite farmers to join us online, watch a virtual tour of Fresh Valley Farm and participate in a Q&A with our farm host, Steve Meggait, and Executive Director of the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association, Julia Smith. Julia and Steve are grazing mentors with the Farmers for Climate Solutions and Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association Advanced Grazing Systems mentorship program.
Register for free here.

Meet the Host Farmers
2023-12-16 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
Would you like to spend a season living and working on a farm? Come learn with Young Agrarians!
Their network of exceptional host farms offer paid hands-on apprenticeships in regenerative farming.
Join them for a webinar (or two) to learn about their Apprenticeship Program. Meet some of the amazing host farm mentors, ask questions about their farm, learn more about the kinds of apprenticeships they offer, and what a typical day/week is like for their apprentices. Bring your questions!
WHEN: December 16, 2023 and January 16, 2024.
Register for one or both sessions here: https://youngagrarians.org/meet-the-host-farmers
Applications for the Apprenticeship Program open December 8.
Learn more about the program here: https://youngagrarians.org/apprenticeship-program

Demeter Canada Zoom Study Group
2024-01-10 17:00 - 2024-05-29 17:00 | Online
To celebrate the Centennial of Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Course, Demeter Canada will host a Zoom Study Group every Wednesday evening at 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern, and 9pm Atlantic Time, beginning January 10th, 2024. Please tune in and invite your friends!
We will be using the Creeger/Gardner translation of the book of lectures “Agriculture” by Rudolf Steiner or its online version https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA327/English/RSPC1938/19240607p02.html
Moderator Allan Kuhn, Camphill biodynamic farmer in Ontario
Contact: Larisa Knutsen of Demeter Canada at LarisaKnutsen90@gmail.com
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87235836167?pwd=[REDACTED]
“And when the seed that was brought to the ultimate degree of complexity has disintegrated into dust and forms a miniature chaos, then the whole surrounding universe begins to work on the seed, to leave its imprint and to build up whatever can be built up by the means of the influences coming from all sides of the universe.”
~from Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Lectures

Further sessions:
Jan 17, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Jan 24, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Jan 31, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Feb 7, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Feb 14, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Feb 21, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Feb 28, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Mar 6, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Mar 13, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Mar 20, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Mar 27, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Apr 3, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Apr 10, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Apr 17, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Apr 24, 2024 05:00 PM PST
May 1, 2024 05:00 PM PST
May 8, 2024 05:00 PM PST
May 15, 2024 05:00 PM PST
May 22, 2024 05:00 PM PST
May 29, 2024 05:00 PM PST

Additional Zoom details:
Meeting ID: 872 3583 6167
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Every Wednesday starting January 10, 2024 05:00 PM PST
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Weekly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMvdOygrT0rHNOgilfBM5fpft3xUs_XZy2K/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvrDgvEteTsR-ARpwEAIjCZ_zztiFcgo1ymxbpBQJ-NwXmMPYRKodsL-Dq
—
One tap mobile
+13863475053,,87235836167#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US
+15074734847,,87235836167#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US
—
Dial by your location
• +1 386 347 5053 US
• +1 507 473 4847 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 253 205 0468 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
• +1 360 209 5623 US
Meeting ID: 872 3583 6167 / Passcode: [REDACTED]
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kNTgDeX1m

Business Bootcamp for New Farmers
2024-01-11 | British Columbia
Do you need a business plan for your farm but do not know where to start?
Check out the Business Bootcamp for new farmers! Join an incredible community of new and aspiring farmers as we work through creating the elements of a business plan that is fit for the farm of your dreams.
We’ll cover financial planning, marketing, risk management, and so much more.
This eleven-week program starts January 11, 2024. Spots are limited, so make sure to sign up soon!
Learn and register here: https://youngagrarians.org/courses/business-bootcamp-for-new-farmers/

Innovative Weed Management: Tackling Thistle and Bindweed in Agriculture
2024-01-15 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
On Monday, January 15th, join Organic BC for a free virtual workshop on the effective management of thistle and bindweed in multiple agricultural settings.
Tailored for farmers engaged in grain, cattle and vegetable production, this online event features research trials and on-farm results from academics and producers—all with an emphasis on successful management techniques for these noxious weeds. There’ll also be time for Q&A with the presenters and opportunities for participants to share on-the-ground successes and challenges with each other.
Space is limited! Save your spot here.

Meet the Host Farmers
2024-01-16 17:00 - 18:00 | Online
Join Young Agrarians for a webinar to learn about the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program. Meet some of the amazing host farm mentors, ask questions about their farm, learn more about the kinds of apprenticeships they offer, and what a typical day/week is like for their apprentices. Bring your questions!

Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Time: 5 pm PST (BC) / 6 pm MST (AB) / 7 pm CST (SK & MB)
Register here: https://youngagrarians.org/meet-the-host-farmers/

Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference
2024-01-25 - 2024-01-27 | Tradex Exhibition Centre
Formerly called the Growers’ Short Course, the Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference is a three-day conference held in conjunction with the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford that provides producers the opportunity to get the latest information on research, farming practices and market opportunities from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts.
The conference includes sessions on production practices, pest management, water management, climate adaptation, and market insights from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts. Topics focus on the blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, potato, field vegetable, greenhouse vegetable, floriculture, hops, hazelnut, and organic sectors in the Lower Mainland.
The Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference is delivered by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food in partnership with the Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association and the Pacific Agriculture Show. Funding for the conference is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
The conference is returning to an in-person format this year. There will not be the option to attend the conference virtually. In order to receive pesticide re-certification credits, you must attend in person. Presentations will be recorded and available to registered attendees following the conference.
Learn more and register here.

Pacific Agriculture Show
2024-01-25 - 2024-01-27 | Tradex Exhibition Centre
The Pacific Agriculture Show will showcase the latest and most innovative equipment and technology for the agriculture industry. Join thousands of farmers and agri-food producers in comparing and investigating what over 300 exhibitors have to make your operation more efficient.
BC’s agriculture industry is unique in its diversity and the Show attracts an attendance from all the livestock and horticulture sectors including: dairy, cattle, poultry, equine, hogs, llamas, alpacas, to vegetable, berry, grape, bulb, ornamentals, hothouse, flower and shrub growing and more.
Learn more at: agricultureshow.net

Indigenous Food Sovereignty Panel - Land Back & Land Access
2024-01-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
Join Leslie Anne St. Armour of RAVEN, Natasha Anderson of Minwaadizi Farm, and Julian Napoleon of Amisk Farm for a panel discussion on land back and Indigenous food sovereignty.
In so-called British Columbia, 95% is “crown land”, and most is unceded; a small amount has been treatied back to Nations through the court system. What does unceded and land back mean? This panel will explore these questions and share ways that Indigenous farmers are accessing and stewarding land towards Indigenous Food Sovereignty (IFS) under the colonial government’s complex system of land title. Listeners will come away with ways to deepen relationships with the land and support the land back movement. We hope you can join for a rich and engaging conversation.

DATE: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | 6-8 PM PST
LOCATION: Online on Indigenous territories. Join us from the comfort of your couch, office, tractor, compost heap – wherever you find yourself able to tune in.
REGISTER: https://youngagrarians.org/ifs-land-back

Islands Agriculture Show
2024-02-02 - 2024-02-03 | Cowichan Exhibition Park, 7380 Trans-Canada Hwy, Duncan, BC, British Columbia, V9L 6B1, Canada
The Islands Agriculture Show is a two-day conference and trade show for horticultural and livestock producers of all sizes on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Held in conjunction with an agricultural trade show, the conference features sessions on crop production, livestock production, business planning, water management, and climate adaptation.
The Islands Agriculture Show is delivered in partnership between the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food together with the Islands Agriculture Show Society. Funding for the conference sessions is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
The 2024 conference will include sessions on the following topics:

On-farm Meat Processing and Regulations
Enterprise Budgeting & Economic Tracking
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Management on Vancouver Island
Scaling Up Poultry Production
Building Healthy Soils
Irrigation System Monitoring & Maintenance
Hedgerow Design for Pollinators and Pest Control

Presentations will be recorded and available to registered attendees following the conference.
Learn more and register here.

FEB 7, 2024: ONLINE – LAND LEASING 101
2024-02-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Join Darcy Smith, YA’s B.C. Land Matching Program Manager, to learn about the nuts and bolts of land access in B.C.
Got Land? Want Land? This webinar will walk you through the A to Z of finding land or a farmer and developing a land sharing relationship.
Learn about leasing in B.C., legal considerations, and how to build and maintain mutually beneficial land agreements. Each step of the way, you will get a taste of the services available to farmers and farmland holders through the B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP).
This webinar will focus on what it takes to build land sharing relationships with trust, clarity, and confidence – we will help you learn what questions to ask of yourselves and each other. Stick around to the end of the webinar to hear case stories of alternative land transitions that we hope will inspire farmers and landholders alike to envision what is possible!
This webinar is applicable to farmers of all production types and sizes looking to start or grow their farm business on leased land, and all farmland holders who are interested in making their land available for agriculture. Bring your questions!
Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2024 | 7-8:30 PM PST
Location: Online on Indigenous territories across what is today known as B.C. Join us from the comfort of your couch, office, tractor, compost heap – wherever you find yourself able to tune in!
REGISTER HERE

Southern Interior Horticultural Show
2024-02-16 - 2024-02-17 | Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, 273 Power St, Penticton, British Columbia, V2A 7K9, Canada
The Southern Interior Horticultural Show is a new B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food delivered project in partnership with the tree fruit and grape industries to provide producers the opportunity to get the latest information on research, innovation, and farming practices from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts.
Held in conjunction with a horticultural tradeshow, the two-day conference focuses on the apple, cherry, and grape sectors in B.C., featuring sessions on soil health, water management, cutting-edge production information, pest management, climate adaptation, and innovative growing systems and new technology.
The Southern Interior Horticultural Show is being delivered in partnership with the B.C. Cherry Association, B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association, B.C. Grapegrowers’ Association, B.C. Wine Grape Council, Sustainable Wine Growing B.C., Wine Growers B.C., Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program, New Variety Development Council, Okanagan Horticulture Advisors Group, and Summerland Variety Corp. Funding for the conference is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Presentations will be recorded and available to registered attendees following the conference.
Learn more and register here.

FEB 21, 2024: ONLINE – HOW TO MARKET A NEW FARM WITH KENDALL BALLANTINE
2024-02-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Join Kendall Ballantine, the founder of Marketing for Farmers and Central Park Farms to learn about how to market your new farm business.
What’s the best marketing channel for your farm? Weekly CSA boxes, farmers’ markets, online sales, events or all of the above and more? Join this webinar to learn about the marketing channels available to entrant (and seasoned) farmers. You will learn about the pros and cons of each marketing channel, and develop the skills to identify which marketing channel(s) will best meet the needs of your farm and your customer base. We will share tips, tricks and strategies for marketing your farm and its products through startup and beyond.
This webinar is geared towards farmers who are in the planning stages or first few seasons of starting their farm business. Bring your questions!
Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 | 7-8:30 PM PST
Location: Online on Indigenous territories across what is today known as B.C. Join us from the comfort of your couch, office, tractor, compost heap – wherever you find yourself able to tune in!
REGISTER HERE!

Small-Scale Meat Producers "Meat Up" in Armstrong!
2024-02-23 - 2024-02-24 | Fresh Valley Farms, 1476 Mountain View Road, Armstrong, BC, British Columbia, V0E 1B8, Canada
Please join us at beautiful organic livestock operation Fresh Valley Farms in Armstrong Feb 23 & 34 for our first annual “Meat Up” event and AGM! The event is free (dinner and lunch tickets may be purchased) and all are welcome!
Check out a robotic pastured chicken house, have a look at the latest in irrigation tech, trial electric utility farm bikes, take in an electric fencing demo, and have a look at the newest mobile slaughter trailers coming to BC! Learn from speakers on the nuances of regenerative agriculture, water policy and restrictions, sustainability practices on ranchlands, Environmental Farm Plans, pastured poultry, Farmgate slaughter licences, and more.
Find more details about the event at https://smallscalemeat.ca/2024-ssmpa-meat-up-armstrong-bc-feb-23-34/

NFU Convergence to Sow the Seeds of Farmland Protection
2024-02-24 - 2024-02-25 | Fraser Common Farm Co-op, 1374 256 Street, Langley Township, BC, V4W 2J4, Canada
We’re inviting farmers and supporters from across BC to come together for a weekend of connecting, learning, sharing, and building power together to protect BC’s limited viable farmland. Rising prices, development, investor influence, and more are making it increasingly difficult for young farmers to get started. We envision a food system where farming is a viable career option, land ownership is deconcentrated, farmland is valued for growing food rather than being treated like an investment opportunity, and where Indigenous nations have control over their traditional foodlands.
At this Convergence, led by the National Farmers Union and organized in partnership with the Sierra Club BC, we’ll bring together farmers, activists, and experts to discuss the challenges and solutions for making farmland accessible and sustainable for farmers.
We are beyond grateful to our sponsors, Burdock and Co and the National Farmers Foundation, for making this event possible.
There will be two $50 valued door prizes from Lee Valley Tools.
The weekend events will take place at the Fraser Common Farm Cooperative (Glorious Organics), an award winning cooperatively owned and operated farming collective which is on the unceded traditional and ancestral lands of the Kwantlen First Nation.
The schedule includes:

Morning coffee and a fun activity to kick the day off at 12PM on Saturday, and 9AM on Sunday
Each day will include a workshop, a guest speaker, and a film screening from the Depth of Field project
Guest speakers include Heather Pritchard of the Foodlands Cooperative of BC, Julia Smith of the Small Scale Meat Producers Association, and Tom Harrison of the Saskatchewan Treaty Landsharing Network
We will strategize and develop a campaign for farmland protection
Morning coffe/snacks, lunch and dinner are provided both days, with options to bring potluck dishes
Options for fun activities on Saturday evening

You are responsible for your own evening accomodations, and for getting yourself to and from the event. We will also try to arrange couch surfing and carpooling options where possible.
If you require financial assistance to attend, please reach out and we’ll do our best to help.
If you want to support other farmers by subsidizing their travel costs to attend the event, you make a charitable donate at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/national-farmers-foundation/
(* Please choose “BC Farmland Retreat Fund” from the drop down menu)
Mark your calendar and be part of this impactful event, where we’ll sow the seeds of farmland protection and cultivate a brighter future for generations to come.

FEB 24, 2024: COLDSTREAM, BC – LAND LINKING WORKSHOP
2024-02-24 14:00 - 18:00 | Coldstream Community Hall, 9909 Kalamalka Rd, Coldstream, BC, V1B 1L5, Canada
GOT LAND? WANT LAND? Are you a landholder looking for farmers? Are you a farmer looking for land? We want you!
Join us for a workshop on the nuts and bolts of land access. Young Agrarians Land Linking Workshops bring together landholders and farmers seeking land to network, explore possible land matches, and learn how to navigate land sharing and lease agreements.
Our B.C. Land Matching Program Manager Darcy Smith and our Okanagan Land Matcher, Pascale Schittecatte will be there to talk about how land matching supports land seekers and landholders, and share key questions to ask, legal considerations, and building and maintaining stable land agreements that are mutually beneficial.
Date: Saturday, February 24, 2024 | 2-6pm
Location: Traditional Syilx and Secwépemc Territories. Coldstream, BC
REGISTER: https://youngagrarians.org/landlinkcoldstream2024

Agri-Tech Autonomous Weeders in BC
2024-02-26 09:30 - 11:30 | Online
In today’s climate of staff shortages and high labour costs, herbicide resistance, and the desire for increased soil health, finding new, efficient and innovative ways to approach weeding is more important than ever. Join us as experts share information about a selection of autonomous weeding robots that are currently available in BC.

Charlotte Mignol from Naio Technologies will discuss the capabilities of their three autonomous weeding robots now available in Canada:

The Oz, designed for small-scale to larger scale vegetable operations
The Ted, tailored for vineyards and trellised fruits
The Orio, developed for larger-scale vegetable crops.
Demonstration videos will also be presented.

Kevin D. Vander Kooi, a research technician at the University of Guelph in the Department of Plant Agriculture, will share his firsthand experiences from trials involving the Naio Orio and the FarmDroid FD20.
Elise Smedbol, the head researcher of weed science at the Research and Development for the Agri-Environment (IRDA), will present the outcomes of their recent three-year trials with the Naio Oz robot in corn, beans, and soy crops.

These researchers bring practical insights, discussing the challenges, limitations, and successes encountered in their hands-on experiences with these machines.
