2023 Conference Sessions - Registration OPEN!
The Islands Agriculture Show features two days of conference sessions. These workshops offer the farming community opportunities to learn from the experts. Our 2023 theme is "Growing Stability in Uncertain Times." Scroll down below to read about each session and the fantastic lineup of speakers who will be presenting.
The fee for all-day conference sessions is $20/day (pre-registration) or $25/day (drop-in), this includes general trade show admission. There will be no refunds due to weather conditions.
Conference Sessions are Sponsored in part by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Thank you!
The fee for all-day conference sessions is $20/day (pre-registration) or $25/day (drop-in), this includes general trade show admission. There will be no refunds due to weather conditions.
Conference Sessions are Sponsored in part by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Thank you!
Conference Session & Speaker Info
Each of this year's sessions will fall into one of four topics:
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Session #1: Meet Your Agrologists -
Learn and Discuss Opportunities for Agriculture
Supports and Funding
Friday, Feb 3rd, 9:30am - 10:30am - MNP Conference Room
Speakers: Alana Wilson, P.Ag - Manager of Programs, Investment Agriculture Fund (IAF)
Bejay Mills, P.Ag - Regional Agrologist for Central Island, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Thom O'Dell, Ph.D., P.Ag - Regional Agrologist for North Island, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Megan Halstead, P.Ag - Regional Agrologist for South Island, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Join this presentation by Alana Wilson from Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF) and the 3 Regional Agrologists with Ministry of Agriculture and Food, serving the Islands and North Sunshine Coast: Megan Halstead, Bejay Mills and Thom O’Dell. Presenters will overview the programs and funding opportunities available and invite questions and ideas for learning and knowledge transfer on the Islands.
Learn and Discuss Opportunities for Agriculture
Supports and Funding
Friday, Feb 3rd, 9:30am - 10:30am - MNP Conference Room
Speakers: Alana Wilson, P.Ag - Manager of Programs, Investment Agriculture Fund (IAF)
Bejay Mills, P.Ag - Regional Agrologist for Central Island, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Thom O'Dell, Ph.D., P.Ag - Regional Agrologist for North Island, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Megan Halstead, P.Ag - Regional Agrologist for South Island, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Join this presentation by Alana Wilson from Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF) and the 3 Regional Agrologists with Ministry of Agriculture and Food, serving the Islands and North Sunshine Coast: Megan Halstead, Bejay Mills and Thom O’Dell. Presenters will overview the programs and funding opportunities available and invite questions and ideas for learning and knowledge transfer on the Islands.
Alana Wilson is a Manager of Programs with the Investment Agriculture Foundation. She is a Professional Agrologist and received a BSc. in Agroecology (Food Resource Economics) from the University of British Columbia and a MSc. in Local Economic Development from the London School of Economics. Alana is from the Alberni Valley where she lives on a small farm with her with her husband, two small girls, two very large dogs, sheep, and chickens.
Bejay Mills is the Regional Agrologist for Central Vancouver Island with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food. He specializes in horticultural crop production and Integrated Pest Management of insects, diseases, and weeds. Bejay grew up on farms and continues to dedicate his life to growing at our farm, learning about agriculture, and helping agricultural producers.
Thom is Regional Agrologist for North Vancouver Island, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food as a broadly skilled biologist with expertise in plants and fungi and a passion for sustainable food production, Thom has managed lab, greenhouse and nursery production, including tissue culture, hazelnut and mushroom propagation, at Nature Tech Nursery Ltd. since 2010. He often volunteers with public education and outreach, serves on boards and committees in his areas of expertise, and loves to teach and learn with others of all ages and backgrounds. Thom received a B.Sc. from The Evergreen State College and a Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Pathology from Oregon State University.
Megan grew up and spent 9 years organic farming in the Comox Valley, raising broilers, sheep, bedding plants and a mix of other crops. Until becoming the Regional Agrologist for South Island, she worked as a contract agrologist in the organic sector as an inspector, file reviewer and input reviewer, and sits on the Canadian External Review Panel for OMRI. She has an 11-year-old son and spends a fair bit of time building LEGO, and enjoys reading, gardening and exploring the great outdoors.
Session #2: Advanced & Rotational Grazing Systems 101
Friday, Feb 3rd, 9:30am - 10:30am - BMO Conference Room
Speaker: Serena Black, BJ (Honours), MScNRES, P.Ag - General Manager, BC Forage Council
This presentation will provide an introduction to the principles around advanced grazing systems, outlining how grazing management can impact both plant productivity and species competition the in the field. The components of an effective grazing management plan will be discussed and an overview of existing and new resources available to BC farmers and ranchers will be provided.
Friday, Feb 3rd, 9:30am - 10:30am - BMO Conference Room
Speaker: Serena Black, BJ (Honours), MScNRES, P.Ag - General Manager, BC Forage Council
This presentation will provide an introduction to the principles around advanced grazing systems, outlining how grazing management can impact both plant productivity and species competition the in the field. The components of an effective grazing management plan will be discussed and an overview of existing and new resources available to BC farmers and ranchers will be provided.
Serena is a professional agrologist based out of Prince George, BC, and has worked in the forage and livestock sector for 6 years and the agriculture sector for more than 10 years. As a consulting agrologist, she is passionate about supporting farmers in getting the resources they need to continue to build thriving operations, and her work focuses on soil health, forage and grassland systems and on-farm demonstration research.
Session #3: An Introduction to On-Farm Variety Trials
Friday, Feb 3rd, 11:00am - 12:30pm - MNP Conference Room
Speakers: Raelani Kesler, B.Sc., M.Sc., ATAg - Faculty of Land & Food Systems, University of British Columbia
Lisa Willott, B.Sc., M.A., B.Ed. - FarmFolk CityFolk & Vancouver Island Seed Security Program Coordinator
Kate Van Ruyven - Farm Manager, Amara Farm
Sabrina Anderson, B.Ag - Farmer
This session will provide an introduction to on-farm variety trials, including their importance and logistical considerations. A summary of results from recent BC variety trials, including the Canadian Organic Vegetable Improvement (CANOVI) trial, the Citizen Seed Trial (CST), and the Vancouver Island Winter Vegetable Variety Trial (VIVT) will be presented. Trial administrators, researchers, and collaborating farmers will share their experience. Questions about conducting variety trials on your farm are welcomed.
Friday, Feb 3rd, 11:00am - 12:30pm - MNP Conference Room
Speakers: Raelani Kesler, B.Sc., M.Sc., ATAg - Faculty of Land & Food Systems, University of British Columbia
Lisa Willott, B.Sc., M.A., B.Ed. - FarmFolk CityFolk & Vancouver Island Seed Security Program Coordinator
Kate Van Ruyven - Farm Manager, Amara Farm
Sabrina Anderson, B.Ag - Farmer
This session will provide an introduction to on-farm variety trials, including their importance and logistical considerations. A summary of results from recent BC variety trials, including the Canadian Organic Vegetable Improvement (CANOVI) trial, the Citizen Seed Trial (CST), and the Vancouver Island Winter Vegetable Variety Trial (VIVT) will be presented. Trial administrators, researchers, and collaborating farmers will share their experience. Questions about conducting variety trials on your farm are welcomed.
Raelani is from Whidbey Island in Washington State, the ancestral territory of the Coast Salish, Stillaguamish, Suquamish, and Tulalip peoples. She holds a B.Sc. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Washington and a M.Sc. in Soil Science from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and has worked as a farm educator and laborer for seven years in the Pacific Northwest. She is currently a Research Assistant with the Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes Lab at UBC.
Lisa has a B.Sc. in Environmental Sciences, a MA in Geography where she studied small-scale agriculture in Cuba, and a B.Ed. Lisa has worked on small-scale farms for over 15 years, grew for Saanich Organics for several years, and after a brief stint as a teacher, in the fall of 2021 was thrilled to be back in the seed world with FarmFolk CityFolk as the Vancouver Island Seed Security Coordinator.
Kate Van Ruyven started farming eight years ago because she wanted to get outside, gain some hands-on skills and pursue an interest in local food production. After one season apprenticing on a farm, she was hooked! Kate has gained experience working on certified organic farms on Vancouver Island and in Pemberton, before settling in the Comox Valley where she currently is the farm manager at Amara Farm.
Sabrina Anderson is a born farmer turned entrepreneur with a Bachelor’s of Sustainable Agriculture and years of non-profit farming in her tool belt. Her strengths shine when bringing community together in the work to create a local food system. Like sunshine and water – plants respond well to her. Find her advocating for food sovereignty and spending time cultivating for the coast up and down Vancouver Island.
Session #4: Introduction to Growing Alfalfa (Producer Panel)
Friday, Feb 3rd, 11:00am - 12:30pm - BMO Conference Room
Speaker: Serena Black, BJ (Honours), MScNRES, P.Ag - General Manager, BC Forage Council
Panalists: Rick Doberstein - Owner, Daldas Farms Ltd.
Jeff McCallum - Custom Forage Contractor
Ridley Wikkerink - Owner, Wedgwood Holsteins
John Lewis Sr. & John Lewis Jr. - Owners, Courtenay Herefords
Alfalfa is known as the 'Queen of Forages' because of its remarkable ability to provide high yielding, palatable forage under varying soil and climatic conditions. However, we must remember that every queen can be a bit high maintenance. This presentation will provide an introductory profile of the traits and characteristics of alfalfa, and discuss management considerations for successful establishment. The session will kindle a producer panel to share local knowledge and experiences of alfalfa production.
Friday, Feb 3rd, 11:00am - 12:30pm - BMO Conference Room
Speaker: Serena Black, BJ (Honours), MScNRES, P.Ag - General Manager, BC Forage Council
Panalists: Rick Doberstein - Owner, Daldas Farms Ltd.
Jeff McCallum - Custom Forage Contractor
Ridley Wikkerink - Owner, Wedgwood Holsteins
John Lewis Sr. & John Lewis Jr. - Owners, Courtenay Herefords
Alfalfa is known as the 'Queen of Forages' because of its remarkable ability to provide high yielding, palatable forage under varying soil and climatic conditions. However, we must remember that every queen can be a bit high maintenance. This presentation will provide an introductory profile of the traits and characteristics of alfalfa, and discuss management considerations for successful establishment. The session will kindle a producer panel to share local knowledge and experiences of alfalfa production.
Serena is a professional agrologist based out of Prince George, BC, and has worked in the forage and livestock sector for 6 years and the agriculture sector for more than 10 years. As a consulting agrologist, she is passionate about supporting farmers in getting the resources they need to continue to build thriving operations, and her work focuses on soil health, forage and grassland systems and on-farm demonstration research.
Rick Doberstein: Daldas Farms, a family farming operation, is located in Black Creek. They milk 200 cows and farm about 250 acres of grass mixes
and 160 acres of silage corn.
Jeff McCallum: Jeff grows forage crops and provides contract farm services, ranging from field rejuvenation to bale wrapping and other farm related
supplies and services, covering all of Vancouver Island.
Ridley Wikkerink: Ridley owns and operates Wedgwood Holsteins located in Cobble Hill. They milk approximately 200 Holsteins and farm 300
acres of land.
John Lewis Sr. & John Lewis Jr.: Courtenay Herefords is a third generation ranch located in the Comox Valley. The focus of their breeding
program has remained consistent for the past 50 years—to maintain moderate framed, low birthweight cattle with
thickness, milk, fertility and longevity.
and 160 acres of silage corn.
Jeff McCallum: Jeff grows forage crops and provides contract farm services, ranging from field rejuvenation to bale wrapping and other farm related
supplies and services, covering all of Vancouver Island.
Ridley Wikkerink: Ridley owns and operates Wedgwood Holsteins located in Cobble Hill. They milk approximately 200 Holsteins and farm 300
acres of land.
John Lewis Sr. & John Lewis Jr.: Courtenay Herefords is a third generation ranch located in the Comox Valley. The focus of their breeding
program has remained consistent for the past 50 years—to maintain moderate framed, low birthweight cattle with
thickness, milk, fertility and longevity.
Friday Keynote Speaker (Session #5) - sponsored by FCC
Jesse Hirsh - "Smart Farms - How Technology is Changing Agriculture"
Friday, February 3rd 1:00pm - 2:30pm - MNP Conference Room
Jesse Hirsh consults around new media business models and the strategic use of social media. As technology continues to impact our relationship with the world, Jesse believes it should be used in responsible and creative ways. His talk, “Smart Farms: How technology is transforming agriculture” examines the potential to improve agriculture practices and the relationship between growers and eaters. The pandemic illustrated how brittle our food supply chain can be and the subsequent economic crisis has left farmers struggling. Jesse asks, “How can technology and transparency ensure sustainability and success?”
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Session #6: Building Resiliency Together
Friday, Feb 3rd, 3:00pm - 4:00pm - BMO Conference Room & VIRTUAL
Speaker: Megz Reynolds - Executive Director, The Do More Agriculture Foundation
When was the last time you asked someone how they were truly doing and felt prepared to have a raw conversation about real life? ‘Building Resiliency Together’ is a workshop designed to introduce participants to mental health in agriculture, highlight signs to look for and how to support ourselves and others. Together we will learn about the importance of boundaries, refilling our own cups and how to have conversations about mental health.
**This sessions is available virtually! If you'd like to sign up to receive the link, please email cowex@shaw.ca**
Friday, Feb 3rd, 3:00pm - 4:00pm - BMO Conference Room & VIRTUAL
Speaker: Megz Reynolds - Executive Director, The Do More Agriculture Foundation
When was the last time you asked someone how they were truly doing and felt prepared to have a raw conversation about real life? ‘Building Resiliency Together’ is a workshop designed to introduce participants to mental health in agriculture, highlight signs to look for and how to support ourselves and others. Together we will learn about the importance of boundaries, refilling our own cups and how to have conversations about mental health.
**This sessions is available virtually! If you'd like to sign up to receive the link, please email cowex@shaw.ca**
Megz has first hand experience in agriculture as a former grain farmer and is personally familiar with the unique challenges the industry faces. Through grassroots advocacy and policy work Megz has been part of creating change at a provincial, federal and global level, always with a focus on the mental health of producers and the industry as a whole. As the Executive Director of The Do More Agriculture Foundation Megz is using her background and lived experience to continue the conversation, raise awareness for mental health in agriculture, create community, build and strengthen partnerships and do more for those in agriculture, their families and rural communities.
Session #7: Protect Your Crops -
Monitoring and Data Collection for Pests, Pollinators & Beneficials
on Vancouver Island
Friday, Feb 3rd, 3:00pm - 4:00pm - MNP Conference Room
Speakers: Bejay Mills, P.Ag - Regional Agrologist for Central Island, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Bonnie Zand, B.Sc. - Owner, Bonnies Bugs IPM
Learn about crop monitoring and trapping strategies appropriate for an Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) with Bejay Mills, and hear about the data collected and lessons learned with the Vancouver Island Pests, Pollinators and Beneficials project over the past two years with Bonnie Zand. We will answer questions such as: How can I monitor for pests on my farm? What factors have the greatest impact on pest populations? What beneficial insects are present and supporting growers? How can this information help improve my pest management?
Monitoring and Data Collection for Pests, Pollinators & Beneficials
on Vancouver Island
Friday, Feb 3rd, 3:00pm - 4:00pm - MNP Conference Room
Speakers: Bejay Mills, P.Ag - Regional Agrologist for Central Island, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Bonnie Zand, B.Sc. - Owner, Bonnies Bugs IPM
Learn about crop monitoring and trapping strategies appropriate for an Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) with Bejay Mills, and hear about the data collected and lessons learned with the Vancouver Island Pests, Pollinators and Beneficials project over the past two years with Bonnie Zand. We will answer questions such as: How can I monitor for pests on my farm? What factors have the greatest impact on pest populations? What beneficial insects are present and supporting growers? How can this information help improve my pest management?
Bejay Mills is the Regional Agrologist for Central Vancouver Island with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food. He specializes in horticultural crop production and Integrated Pest Management of insects, diseases, and weeds. Bejay grew up on farms and continues to dedicate his life to growing at our farm, learning about agriculture, and helping agricultural producers.
Bonnie Zand is the owner of Bonnie’s Bugs IPM, a private consulting company working with farmers to manage insect pests on Vancouver island. She is currently running the Vancouver Island Pests, Pollinators and Beneficials Project (VIPPB), which provides area wide monitoring and outreach for fruit and vegetable pests, as well as the pollinators and beneficial insects present in Vancouver Island agricultural systems.
Session #8: Is GAP Certification Right for Your Farm Business?
The 6-W's of Information You Need to Help You Make That
GAP Decision
Saturday, Feb 4th, 9:30am - 10:30am - MNP Conference Room
Speaker: Elsie Friesen - GAP / Food Safety Educator & Consultant
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are food safety practises a producer uses to ensure that the food they produce for consumers/markets are safe. At the present time, this is not a legislated requirement by law, however many buyers are requesting that producers show a certification that they are ensuring safe practices are implemented. By providing the 6-W's of information on this topic the producer is better equipped to make the decision on certification and how to plan the journey to a successful certification.
The 6-W's of Information You Need to Help You Make That
GAP Decision
Saturday, Feb 4th, 9:30am - 10:30am - MNP Conference Room
Speaker: Elsie Friesen - GAP / Food Safety Educator & Consultant
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are food safety practises a producer uses to ensure that the food they produce for consumers/markets are safe. At the present time, this is not a legislated requirement by law, however many buyers are requesting that producers show a certification that they are ensuring safe practices are implemented. By providing the 6-W's of information on this topic the producer is better equipped to make the decision on certification and how to plan the journey to a successful certification.
Elsie has spent a life-time of growing up and working with food safety from farm to table. Retirement does not mean stopping with her passion, however it opens up new journeys in expanding her philosophy of life-long learning. Learning and sharing knowledge is how she sees changes for a brighter future for our local and global communities. Sustainable and safe production of food practices will ensure both our physical and social well- being.
Session #9: Transitioning Your Family Farm
Saturday, Feb 4th, 9:30am - 10:30am - BMO Conference Room
Speaker: Trevor MacLean, MBA, FEA - Partner, AgriBusiness Management Consulting
Preparing a family and business to transition a farm enterprise should be an exciting time on a company and family journey. However, with so many factors and actors with often conflicting goals and desires seeing your way through succession can be challenging. Understanding your options and following a process can support the family through this exciting time in your enterprise milestone. Transition is more than just transfer of ownership it is about family legacy and harmony, business leadership and management, and ownership transfer. A wholistic approach to Transitioning your farm enterprise can remove many uncertainties and minimize conflict while preserving family, business, and ownership harmony.
Saturday, Feb 4th, 9:30am - 10:30am - BMO Conference Room
Speaker: Trevor MacLean, MBA, FEA - Partner, AgriBusiness Management Consulting
Preparing a family and business to transition a farm enterprise should be an exciting time on a company and family journey. However, with so many factors and actors with often conflicting goals and desires seeing your way through succession can be challenging. Understanding your options and following a process can support the family through this exciting time in your enterprise milestone. Transition is more than just transfer of ownership it is about family legacy and harmony, business leadership and management, and ownership transfer. A wholistic approach to Transitioning your farm enterprise can remove many uncertainties and minimize conflict while preserving family, business, and ownership harmony.
Trevor MacLean is a Agriculture Business Advisor and National Leader TransitionSmart, working out of Lethbridge, AB. Trevor provides business and advisory services to agriculture producers and agribusinesses across Western Canada, delivering creative, customized and practical solutions to help his clients achieve their goals and enhance their success.
Session #10: Perennial Fruit Crop Opportunities -
A Look at Figs, Citrus & Avocado Growing on the Islands
Saturday, Feb 4th, 11:00am - 12:30pm - MNP Conference Room
Speakers: Bob Duncan, Botonist & Entomologist - Owner, Fruit Trees & More
Jane Squier, Horticulturalist - The Garden - Salt Spring Island
Figs are commonly grown in small home orchards with occasional ad hoc roadside sales on South-East Vancouver Island but generally have never been considered for commercial production. Our modified Mediterranean climate with climate-change induced increasingly longer and warmer summers and mild winters provides unique opportunities for Island growers to grow this quintessentially Mediterranean crop. In this session, Bob will describe several, new-to-Canada, cultivars of figs he has trialled in his demonstration orchard that are highly suited to our climate and which consistently bear heavy crops of high-quality summer-ripening breba crop figs.
In 2014 Jane began to transition her 6,000 square foot greenhouse from hydroponic lettuce to a subtropical orchard of 125 citrus and avocado trees. In this presentation Jane will explain the farm systems which incorporate rainwater storage, solar energy, thermal mass, anaerobic digestion, and
on-farm nutrient cycling. She will describe the monitoring systems which track her progress in growing healthy soils and nutrient dense food.
A Look at Figs, Citrus & Avocado Growing on the Islands
Saturday, Feb 4th, 11:00am - 12:30pm - MNP Conference Room
Speakers: Bob Duncan, Botonist & Entomologist - Owner, Fruit Trees & More
Jane Squier, Horticulturalist - The Garden - Salt Spring Island
Figs are commonly grown in small home orchards with occasional ad hoc roadside sales on South-East Vancouver Island but generally have never been considered for commercial production. Our modified Mediterranean climate with climate-change induced increasingly longer and warmer summers and mild winters provides unique opportunities for Island growers to grow this quintessentially Mediterranean crop. In this session, Bob will describe several, new-to-Canada, cultivars of figs he has trialled in his demonstration orchard that are highly suited to our climate and which consistently bear heavy crops of high-quality summer-ripening breba crop figs.
In 2014 Jane began to transition her 6,000 square foot greenhouse from hydroponic lettuce to a subtropical orchard of 125 citrus and avocado trees. In this presentation Jane will explain the farm systems which incorporate rainwater storage, solar energy, thermal mass, anaerobic digestion, and
on-farm nutrient cycling. She will describe the monitoring systems which track her progress in growing healthy soils and nutrient dense food.
At their specialty nursery and demonstration orchard near Sidney, BC, Bob and wife Verna, have trialled over 500 cultivars of temperate, warm-temperate, citrus, Mediterranean and hardy subtropical fruit trees and demonstrated various training systems and cultural techniques. Through these ongoing trials, he continues to identify cultivars that consistently mature heavy crops of high- quality fruit in our relatively cool summers and survive our winters.
Jane Squier has over 40 years of experience operating greenhouse and market garden businesses in tropical, Mediterranean, and cold (Zone 3) climates. She studied horticulture and agroecology at Olds College and UBC, aquaponics at UVI, and soil microbiology at The Soil Food Web School. Jane teaches workshops and shares her findings on her website and YouTube channel. https://www.thegardensaltspring.com/farm-projects
Session #11: Managing Healthy Soils
Saturday, Feb 4th, 11:00am - 12:30pm - BMO Conference Room
Speakers: DeLisa Lewis, Ph.D - Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia & Co-Owner Green Fire Farm
Josh Andrews, M.Sc., P.Ag - Nutrient Management Specialist, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Amy Norgaard, M.Sc., P.Ag - Climate Specialist, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
In this session, DeLisa will identify four key soil health strategies and discuss the practical challenges and opportunities for these practices for Coast-Islands regional producers. Results will be featured from Vancouver Island on-farm field research, and a real time dialogue on the challenges and rewards of soil health management fine-tuned to your own farming operation.
Many producers do not typically consider their soil fertility program to be a key component of soil health. John Andrews will cover the role of soil nutrient status in soil health, the need for soil nutrient testing, and regulations on soil sampling and testing in B.C. The session will include a brief demo of nutrient management tools offered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
As the climate changes, Vancouver Island producers will face warmer, drier summers and more frequent extreme rainfall events. Amy Norgaard will discuss how we can harness healthy soils to increase resilience to these climate change challenges.
Saturday, Feb 4th, 11:00am - 12:30pm - BMO Conference Room
Speakers: DeLisa Lewis, Ph.D - Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia & Co-Owner Green Fire Farm
Josh Andrews, M.Sc., P.Ag - Nutrient Management Specialist, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
Amy Norgaard, M.Sc., P.Ag - Climate Specialist, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
In this session, DeLisa will identify four key soil health strategies and discuss the practical challenges and opportunities for these practices for Coast-Islands regional producers. Results will be featured from Vancouver Island on-farm field research, and a real time dialogue on the challenges and rewards of soil health management fine-tuned to your own farming operation.
Many producers do not typically consider their soil fertility program to be a key component of soil health. John Andrews will cover the role of soil nutrient status in soil health, the need for soil nutrient testing, and regulations on soil sampling and testing in B.C. The session will include a brief demo of nutrient management tools offered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
As the climate changes, Vancouver Island producers will face warmer, drier summers and more frequent extreme rainfall events. Amy Norgaard will discuss how we can harness healthy soils to increase resilience to these climate change challenges.
DeLisa Lewis is co-owner and operator of a diverse 40-acre farm in the Cowichan Valley, and part-time teaching and research faculty member in UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems. She has 25 years of experience as a certified vegetables organic farmer and 16 years experience with soil health focused on farm research and field trials. DeLisa holds a PhD in Soils and Agroecology and collaborates with Dr. Sean Smukler and the Sustainable Agriculture Landscapes Lab at UBC to better understand soil health management practices in their regional contexts.
Josh Andrews is a Nutrient Management Specialist at the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food. His role is currently focused on developing tools and information for BC farmers regarding the use of manures and fertilizers, providing guidance for soil sampling and testing, and assisting with other Ministry projects involving resource management.
Amy is the climate specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (AF) and her background includes a B.Sc. in Agroecology and an M.Sc. in Soil Science. Prior to joining AF, Amy worked in the Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes lab at UBC and co-lead the Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Opportunity Assessment Project. She has previously worked on a farm in Pemberton, BC for several seasons, and during her MSc research she worked with 20 producers across the Fraser Valley, Pemberton, and Vancouver Island, investigating ways to improve organic nutrient management on vegetable farms.
Saturday Keynote Speaker (Session #12)
Tristan Banwell - "Regenerative Agriculture for Uncertain Times"
Saturday, February 4th 1:00pm - 2:30pm - MNP Conference Room
Tristan Banwell - "Regenerative Agriculture for Uncertain Times"
Saturday, February 4th 1:00pm - 2:30pm - MNP Conference Room
Faced with climate chaos, plummeting biodiversity, degradation of soils and challenges from the industrialization of our food supply, the world is looking to regenerative agriculture for solutions. But, regenerative does not have one meaning or standard, and is being deployed to describe divergent farming philosophies. Where can we find common ground? If we have the same goals -- improving soil and ecosystem health, mitigating and adapting to climate risks, and providing meaningful livelihoods while feeding the population -- can we collaborate to do better? Our conversation w,.ill range from regenerative certifications to the implications of corporate greenwashing, with actionable advice on implementing regenerative practices to improve the resilience of your operation.
Tristan Banwell manages Spray Creek Ranch, a diversified regenerative organic farm in the Northern St'at'imc Territory near Lillooet, BC. Together with his wife Aubyn, he raises cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry on pasture along the mighty Fraser River in the rain shadow of the Coast Mountains. Operating a growing on-farm abattoir, they direct market their organic meats throughout the Sea-to-Sky region. Tristan sits on the Minister’s Advisory Group on Regenerative Agriculture and volunteers with Organic BC and the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association.
Session #13: Forage Crop Production Decisions
Saturday, Feb 4th, 3:00pm - 4:00pm - MNP Conference Room
Speakers: Gary Telford, B.Sc.Ag - Agassiz Research and Development Centre
Graeme Fowler - Agriculture & Wildlife Mitigation Consultant, Livestock & Livestock Forage Producer,
Fish & Wildlife Tech. Forestry Tech.
Alexis Arthur - Owner, Pacific Forage Bag Supply Ltd.
Gary Telford's presentation will showcase practical, on-farm producer experiences interseeding Italian ryegrass in silage corn on dairy farms. Environmental, economic and social considerations will be highlighted under extreme climatic conditions of the past two growing seasons. Graeme Fowlr & Alexis Arthur will provide a brief summary of a two-year cereal trial and multiyear corn trial. Looking at these and similar types of wholecrops, they will highlight pros and cons of use, cost analysis comparison and planting/rotation possibilities to try and get the most from Vancouver Island farmers’ seed, soil and acres.
Saturday, Feb 4th, 3:00pm - 4:00pm - MNP Conference Room
Speakers: Gary Telford, B.Sc.Ag - Agassiz Research and Development Centre
Graeme Fowler - Agriculture & Wildlife Mitigation Consultant, Livestock & Livestock Forage Producer,
Fish & Wildlife Tech. Forestry Tech.
Alexis Arthur - Owner, Pacific Forage Bag Supply Ltd.
Gary Telford's presentation will showcase practical, on-farm producer experiences interseeding Italian ryegrass in silage corn on dairy farms. Environmental, economic and social considerations will be highlighted under extreme climatic conditions of the past two growing seasons. Graeme Fowlr & Alexis Arthur will provide a brief summary of a two-year cereal trial and multiyear corn trial. Looking at these and similar types of wholecrops, they will highlight pros and cons of use, cost analysis comparison and planting/rotation possibilities to try and get the most from Vancouver Island farmers’ seed, soil and acres.
Gary holds a B.Sc in Agriculture from the University of Guelph in Resources Management with an emphasis on Soil and Water Conservation. Gary has worked with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) for 28 years in various agricultural departments. He currently works as a Knowledge Transfer Specialist at the Agassiz Research and Development Centre where he works with industry and various stakeholders to promote AAFC science.
Graeme has been working with BC farmers for over 30 years in the field of livestock forage production. Graeme’s area of expertise includes forage crop assessments, wildlife mitigation, forage and cover crop variety demonstrations, emerging f orage pest monitoring programs, and provincial flood recovery and drought recovery programs. Graeme operates a medium sized mixed livestock and forage production farm with his wife and their 3 children. Graeme played an integral role in the establishment and recent launch of the Vancouver Island Cattlemen Association. He also sits on the BC Cattlemen’s Association Land Stewardship & Indigenous Affairs Committee as well as the Environmental Stewardship Committee. He is also the Emergency Management Program Ranch Liaison for Vancouver Island.
Alexis joined her father in their family company, Pacific Forage, in 2004 and fell in love with corn, specifically trialing corn. Although raised in BC, she was born in MB and in the mid 2000’s she completed a three year contract with Thunder Seed as their Western Canadian Dealer Rep with focus on the Prairies. Here she came face to face with corn breeding, trait management, grain and silage trialing on a large scale and learned first hand how corn reacts in different geographical locations. In the last 5 years, she has incorporated grasses and annuals into her field trials to increase her and her clients’ knowledge of what can and cannot work in BC with farmer’s evolving needs based on pest, regulation, and climate management. Alexis is the owner and operator of Pacific Forage which has provided seed, silage equipment, plastic and inoculant to farmers and cattle producers all over BC since 1998.
Session #14: Farm Business Development in Uncertain Times
Saturday, Feb 4th, 3:00pm - 4:00pm - BMO Conference Room
Speaker: Chris Bodnar, Ph.D - Co-Owner & Operator, Close to Home Organics
After three years of a pandemic and now well into a period of economic challenges, operating a farm is as difficult as ever. During these times of uncertainty it's important to rely on fundamentals of business management to help chart your way. This session will review the key practices to help you make decisions for your farm business.
Saturday, Feb 4th, 3:00pm - 4:00pm - BMO Conference Room
Speaker: Chris Bodnar, Ph.D - Co-Owner & Operator, Close to Home Organics
After three years of a pandemic and now well into a period of economic challenges, operating a farm is as difficult as ever. During these times of uncertainty it's important to rely on fundamentals of business management to help chart your way. This session will review the key practices to help you make decisions for your farm business.
Chris Bodnar co-owns and operates Close to Home Organics at Glen Valley Organic Farm in Abbotsford. With 16 years of experience farming, Chris has also taught agricultural business at Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Sustainable Agriculture program and worked with the Young Agrarians to develop financial literacy and mentorship programs and resources.