2022 Conference Sessions - Registration OPEN!
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The Islands Agriculture Show features two days of conference sessions. These workshops offer the farming community
opportunities to learn from the experts. Planning is under way for a great lineup of conference sessions relating to our 2022 theme "Thriving in a Climate of Change." Check back often as we share more information about the Conference portion of our event! 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. |
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2022 Keynote Speaker (Session #5) - sponsored by FCC
Chris Koch - "If I Can..."
Wednesday, July 6th 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Chris Koch doesn’t let limitations or obstacles stand in his way. Despite being born without arms and legs, Koch grew up like any other small-town kid — playing road hockey, causing mischief at school, and helping out on his family farm. Today, Koch is a motivational speaker who inspires his audiences to continually challenge themselves and build the life they dream of. An avid traveler, marathoner, and farmer, Koch’s presentation reflects his full life. He loves spreading the message of, “If I Can…what’s stopping others from doing the same?”
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2022 Conference Sessions and Topics
Session Speakers & Topics
Session #1: Integrating Pigs with Vegetable Production
Wednesday, July 6th 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Speaker: Dr. Leah Sandler, Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Wednesday, July 6th 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Speaker: Dr. Leah Sandler, Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Since 2018, research has been conducted at the Tsawwassen First Nation Farm School, located on Tsawwassen First Nation land (Delta, BC), focused on determining best management practices for rotating grazing hogs in vegetable production. Last season we completed the research and this webinar will cover several topics. The first portion will cover the best practices of setting up hog grazing operations, with the methods and equipment used. Then we will share results from our research on how the soil and crops have been impacted from this method of grazing.
Dr. Leah Sandler is the head field agriculture researcher at the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems (ISFS) and conducted the field research investigating hog integration in vegetable-cover crop rotations in Delta, BC. She brings over 10 years experience of field research and extension to the project and ISFS.
Session #2: Institutional Markets 101: Tips for Getting Ready to Sell to Commercial and Institutional Buyers
Wednesday, July 6th 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Speaker: Chashma Heinze, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Wednesday, July 6th 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Speaker: Chashma Heinze, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Are you a B.C. producer or processor interested in selling your B.C. products to commercial and instituational buyers? Getting ready to sell to these markets takes substantial research, persistence, and preparation to understand each of their unique dynamics and requirements.
Chashma Heinze has a background in community development, social planning and small business—all with a focus in food based policy and programming. She has attended cooking school in France (and cooked around the world in the mountains, by the sea, in restaurants, and on boats as a chef), studied Industrial and Food Design in Europe, founded a small food and systems consultancy business, and gone on to work with non-profits and local government. She holds BA in Communications and Sociology from SFU, a Post-Bac Diploma in Sustainable Community Development, and certificates in Dialogue/Facilitation, Digital Marketing, Project Management and Business Analysis. Recent positions include Food Security Initiatives Manager at the United Way, Social Planner in food policy at the City of Vancouver, and currently works as a Value Chain Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
Session #3: Balancing Costs and Tradeoffs with Soil Nutrient, Moisture and Organic Matter Management: Lessons from Vancouver Island On-Farm Research
Wednesday, July 6th 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Speaker: DeLisa Lewis Ph.D., Sustainable Agriculture Lab, University of British Columbia; Co-Owner of Greenfire Farm
Wednesday, July 6th 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Speaker: DeLisa Lewis Ph.D., Sustainable Agriculture Lab, University of British Columbia; Co-Owner of Greenfire Farm
With increased frequency of weather events that disrupt familiar patterns of tillage, seeding, and a range of field operations, what are the strategies Vancouver Island and other regional farmers are relying on to sustain their productivity? how do the so-called "best management practices" of cover cropping, rotations, planning for diversity, and integrated nutrient management stack up against their costs? Join us for an interactive session featuring results from on-farm field research, and a real time dialogue on the challenges and rewards of soil health management fined-tuned to your own farming operation.
DeLisa Lewis is co-owner and operator of a diverse 40-acre farm in the Cowichan Valley, and a part-time Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC. She has 25 years of experience as a certified vegetables organic farmer and has devoted the last 7+ years to learning her way into integrating livestock, hay, and perennials crops into her farming systems. DeLisa holds a PhD in Soils and Agroecology and collaborates with Dr. Sean Smukler and the Sustainable Agriculture Landscapes Lab at UBC on regionally focused soil health and soil nutrient management projects.
Session #4: Food Hubs: Fostering Growth and Innovation in Our Communities
Wednesday, July 6th 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Speakers: Taylor Jeffery, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Dani Stancer, Food Hub Manager - Cowichan Green Community
Wednesday, July 6th 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Speakers: Taylor Jeffery, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Dani Stancer, Food Hub Manager - Cowichan Green Community
Taylor Jeffery will provide an overview of the BC Food Hub Network. Dani Stancer, Food Hub Manager with Cowichan Green Community will share about their journey in establishing a food hub in Duncan, BC - connecting local farmers, food processors and consumers together.
Taylor Jeffery is excited to be returning to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food on as a Agri-Innovation Analyst! A Victoria local, Taylor has lived in the city most of her life. A life-long animal lover, Taylor can frequently be found spending time in the saddle as an intermediate level horseback rider that competes in the discipline of show jumping. When she is not around the barn, Taylor is often exploring the wildness that beautiful British Columbia has to offer or refining her culinary skills in the kitchen.
Taylor attended the University of Victoria before transferring to the University of West England, to pursue her passion for animals. She graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, with distinction, before returning home to Canada to begin her career in the public service.
Taylor attended the University of Victoria before transferring to the University of West England, to pursue her passion for animals. She graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, with distinction, before returning home to Canada to begin her career in the public service.
Dani Stancer is the Food Hub Manager for Cowichan Green Community where she is in the process of opening the Cowichan Food Hub and developing programming for local food processors and the community. She has a background in sociology, geography, and international development, and her passion for sustainable development and food security has guided her work in academics and in the workforce. In January 2022, Dani was recognized as one of Canada's Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25 as a leader in Climate & Food Justice by The Starfish Canada.
Session #6: Agritourism and Value Addition: Connecting Producers and Consumers
Wednesday, July 6th 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Speakers: Reed Bailey, Land Use Planner, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Caroline & Mark Nagtegaal, Promise Valley Farm, Duncan
Wednesday, July 6th 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Speakers: Reed Bailey, Land Use Planner, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Caroline & Mark Nagtegaal, Promise Valley Farm, Duncan
Agritourism can be a great way to add value to your farm enterprise. Hear from the ALC on recent changes that may enhance the agritourism potential of your farm. Caroline and Mark will share about their experiences owning and operating a family dairy farm and creamery in the Cowichan Valley. They are passionate about land, cows and nourishing dairy products and have recently opened a farm store to help connect consumers with a better understanding of where their food comes from.
Mark and Caroline Nagtegaal own and operate Promise Valley Farm and Creamery. They have a small herd of Guernsey’s that are managed under organic and regenerative principles with organic certification to come later this summer. The Guernsey’s are all verified A2A2. Whole milk is small batch pasteurized and sold as fluid out of a dispenser on-farm or made into yogurt and fresh cheeses. There is a small on-farm store for marketing the products as well as wholesale deliveries to some local stores and outlets.
Session #7: Call Before You Dig - the Wetland Edition
Wednesday, July 6th 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Speaker: Angela Cameron, R.P Bio. Senior Authorizations Specialist, Ministry of Forests
Wednesday, July 6th 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Speaker: Angela Cameron, R.P Bio. Senior Authorizations Specialist, Ministry of Forests
This session with begin with a description of what wetlands are, why they are protected by the Water Sustainability Act, and what to do if you find yourself wanting to perform farm activities within the boundary of a wetland.
Angela is a registered professional biologist and Senior Authorizations Specialist with the Ministry of Forests’ Water Authorizations Group in the West Coast Region. As a young girl, Angela grew up in North Delta, BC and spent her summers volunteering for the Burns Bog Conservation Society. Between 2006 - 2011 she attended the University of Victoria, completing a double-major B.Sc. in Environmental Studies and Geography with honours and a co-op. During this time, she fell in love with remote and messy field work after working as a soil technician in remote northern Manitoba, followed by her work as an aquatics technician for the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute.
From 2012 - 2018, she worked as a wetlands ecologist and aquatics biologist for private consulting firms based out of Calgary AB, as well as Kamloops and Abbotsford BC, completing a range of baseline studies and regulatory permitting for high-profile energy projects, as well as riparian and wetland assessments for small private developments. In 2018, Angela accepted a role as the environmental planner for the City of Surrey, providing regulatory guidance and reviewing complex environmental applications for all private development in the municipality. In 2022, Angela made the move from local government into the BC Public Service, and assists in the administration of the Water Sustainability Act in the West Coast Region.
From 2012 - 2018, she worked as a wetlands ecologist and aquatics biologist for private consulting firms based out of Calgary AB, as well as Kamloops and Abbotsford BC, completing a range of baseline studies and regulatory permitting for high-profile energy projects, as well as riparian and wetland assessments for small private developments. In 2018, Angela accepted a role as the environmental planner for the City of Surrey, providing regulatory guidance and reviewing complex environmental applications for all private development in the municipality. In 2022, Angela made the move from local government into the BC Public Service, and assists in the administration of the Water Sustainability Act in the West Coast Region.
Session #8: The Role of Biodiversity in Agriculture
Thursday, July 7th 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Speakers: Dr. Sandra Gillespie, Assistant Professor, University of the Fraser Valley
Andrea Shaw, Agroecologist, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Thursday, July 7th 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Speakers: Dr. Sandra Gillespie, Assistant Professor, University of the Fraser Valley
Andrea Shaw, Agroecologist, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Dr. Gillespie's work research focuses on pollination ecology, with a special interest in bumblebees. This session will focus on the role of diversity in improving pollinator habitat and improving pollinator health. Andrea Shaw will share information about the Environmental Farm Plan as well as biodiversity-related resources for your farm.
Dr. Gillespie is an Assistant Professor in the Biology department at the University of the Fraser Valley. Her current research at UFV examines the role of native pollinators in agriculture and the threats facing wild bees. Projects include long-term monitoring of native bumblebee populations and studying the impacts of non-native bumblebees on wild bee populations. In agriculture, she has examined the role of pollination in affecting cranberry yields across different cultivars as well as the use of native bumblebees to supplement blueberry pollination.
Andrea Shaw, M.Sc., P.Ag., is the Agroecologist with the Resource Management Unit in the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food. In this role Andrea is the technical expert for all things riparian, biodiversity, species at risk and vegetative buffers as they relate to agriculture. She spends most of her time working with other governmental and non-governmental agencies providing a voice for the agricultural community in issues of legislation, programming, and stewardship activities. Andrea also spends much of her time crafting materials for the Environmental Farm Plan on riparian and biodiversity-related topics. Andrea studied Agroecology at UBC where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree and then went on to complete a Master’s degree in Agroecology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Aas, Norway. Before starting with government in 2018, Andrea was an independent consultant mainly working on land use planning issues with local governments for approximately 8 years. She also spent some time studying organic agriculture in Wales and worked with the organic sector in BC as a Certification Administrator for the BC Association for Regenerative Agriculture (BCARA).
Session #9: Forage Pest Report
Thursday, July 7th 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Speakers: Tracy Hueppelsheuser, Entomologist, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Bonnie Zand, Owner, Bonnie's Bugs IPM
Thursday, July 7th 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Speakers: Tracy Hueppelsheuser, Entomologist, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Bonnie Zand, Owner, Bonnie's Bugs IPM
Hear updates about pest biology, monitoring approaches, and management ideas for major forage pests, including True Armyworm, wireworm, and corn rootworm. Some vegetable and fruit pests as well as pollinators and beneficial insects are now being monitored for, providing insight and information to local growers. In addition to the field monitoring, outreach and grower workshops have occurred to enable growers to incorporate pest monitoring into their production systems. Learn about some of the new pests of concern that could impact local agriculture.
Tracy Hueppelsheuser is a provincial entomologist for the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food based in Abbotsford. Her work focuses on biology and pest management of established and invasive insect species that impact BC agriculture. This includes insect identification, outreach and extension activities, policy and regulation development, and some surveillance. The Ministry works closely with other organizations with similar mandates and goals.
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 #10: Hazelnut Orchard Establishment Practices and the Hazelnut Renewal Program
Thursday, July 7th 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Speakers: Thom O'Dell Ph.D., Nature Tech Nursery
Karina Sakalauskas, Industry Specialist - Emerging Markets, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Thursday, July 7th 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Speakers: Thom O'Dell Ph.D., Nature Tech Nursery
Karina Sakalauskas, Industry Specialist - Emerging Markets, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Why grow hazelnuts? Join this session to learn about the potential for hazelnuts on Vancouver Island. Thom will speak about hazelnut orchard establishment practices and best management. Karina will speak about the BC Hazel nut Renewal program in BC.
Since 2010 Thom O’Dell has been supporting the hazelnut industry in BC by growing trees for new orchards at Nature Tech Nursery, which he runs with his partner, Haley Argen. He has been on the board of the BC Hazelnut Grower’s Association since 2014 and was science advisor for their trial of new cultivars that concluded in 2017. He has a Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Pathology from Oregon State University and is a Professional Agrologist.
Karina Sakalauskas is the Industry Specialist of Emerging Markets with the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. She has been with the Ministry since 2017 when she undertook the role of Acting Berry Specialist. She is from Argentina and attended the Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata where she completed her MSc in Agronomic Engineering.
Session #11: Avian Influenza - Protecting Your Flock
Thursday, July 7th 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Speaker: Dr. Gigi Lin, DVM
Thursday, July 7th 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Speaker: Dr. Gigi Lin, DVM
Learn about protecting your flock from avian influenza and other poultry diseases through the implementation of biosecurity measures on your farm. This session is sponsored by the BC Egg Marketing Board and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
Dr. Gigi Lin received her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of British Columbia and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Saskatchewan. Gigi joined Canadian Poultry Consultants Ltd in 2017 where she provides diagnostic, research, and field services to the poultry industry in Western Canada. In addition to the commercial industry, Gigi particularly enjoys small flock medicines. In 2018, she established Small Flock Veterinary Care and provide veterinary services to small flock owners and non-poultry veterinary practitioners.
Session #12: What's New in Cannabis
Thursday, July 7th 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Speakers: Rajiv Dasangh, Horticulture Team Lead & Emerging Markets Specialist, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Dylan Sherlock, Director - The Cannabis Legalization Secretariat; Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General
Sarah Campbell, Director - Craft Cannabis Association of B.C.
Katy Connelly, Co-owner and Operator of Sea Dog Farm, Saanichton, BC
Thursday, July 7th 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Speakers: Rajiv Dasangh, Horticulture Team Lead & Emerging Markets Specialist, Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Dylan Sherlock, Director - The Cannabis Legalization Secretariat; Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General
Sarah Campbell, Director - Craft Cannabis Association of B.C.
Katy Connelly, Co-owner and Operator of Sea Dog Farm, Saanichton, BC
Dylan and Rajiv will provide an update on upcoming programs such as Farm-Gate Sale, and Direct-Delivery for licensed cannabis producers in the Province.
Sarah will provide and overview of the findings of the Cowichan Cannabis Study 2021, a report conducted by the Craft Cannabis Association of BC, commissioned by Economic Development Cowichan, to develop a better situational awareness of the emerging industry 3 years after legalization.
Katy Connelly is a co-owner, with husband Shawn, of Sea Dog Farm, the first outdoor micro in BC to have flower listed on the BCCS. Health Canada Licensed for outdoor cultivation in 2019, they have now had two growing seasons. Katy will discuss their challenges and successes to date as well as provide a breakdown of the financial implications of adding outdoor micro cannabis cultivation to their small southern Vancouver Island farm.
Sarah will provide and overview of the findings of the Cowichan Cannabis Study 2021, a report conducted by the Craft Cannabis Association of BC, commissioned by Economic Development Cowichan, to develop a better situational awareness of the emerging industry 3 years after legalization.
Katy Connelly is a co-owner, with husband Shawn, of Sea Dog Farm, the first outdoor micro in BC to have flower listed on the BCCS. Health Canada Licensed for outdoor cultivation in 2019, they have now had two growing seasons. Katy will discuss their challenges and successes to date as well as provide a breakdown of the financial implications of adding outdoor micro cannabis cultivation to their small southern Vancouver Island farm.
Dylan Sherlock is Director of Policy for the BC Cannabis Secretariat in the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. He has been involved in provincial cannabis policy since 2018 and led a number of initiatives related to supporting small and medium-sized cannabis agricultural producers.
Rajiv Dasanjh is the Team Lead for Horticulture for the Industry Development Unit in the Extension Supports & Services Branch within the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture & Food. Rajiv leads a team of agrologists that focus on developing B.C.’s horticultural sector in terms of their competitiveness, marketability, and sustainability. Rajiv has directly worked on the Cannabis sector for the Ministry since 2019, and has lead many initiatives to begin aligning the programming and services Cannabis producers receive, to mirror similar efforts provided to conventional agricultural sectors in the Province.
Sarah has been working with herbs for years and grew her first cannabis plants while studying Zoology at the University of Guelph in the ‘90s. In 1998 she moved to the Island and began volunteering with the Vancouver Island Compassion Society. Since then, she has worked in printing and publishing, received her Bachelor of Commerce degree from Royal Roads University, and explored many facets of the cannabis industry. In 2016, Sarah co-founded the Craft Cannabis Association of British Columbia, a non-profit industry association created to support small-scale independent cannabis businesses. Sarah is currently a proud team member at Great Gardener Farms, a newly licensed micro cultivator in the Cowichan Valley.
Cathryn (Katy) Connelly, Ph.D, MA, B.Ed, CD - An avid lifelong learner, Katy has had the good fortune to have experienced several professions. She has worked as a lifeguard, communicator with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, technology teacher in the public education systems of BC and Colorado and sessional instructor at UVic. She is currently throwing her heart and soul into her first and everlasting love: farming. Katy and husband Shawn have spent the last 5 years revitalizing a foreclosed and overgrown 5-acre property in Saanichton BC, which is now operational with orchards, laying chickens, alpacas, bees, berries, cut flowers, herbs and food gardens. With guidance and encouragement from family, friends and neighbours the farm continues to thrive and grow. In early 2019, during a period of complete and utter boredom due to a broken leg, Katy successfully navigated the application process for a micro cannabis cultivation license. In the spring of 2022, two years and six months after licensing, Sea Dog Farm’s Lemongrass pre rolls made it to both independent BC retailers and the BCCS.
Shawn and Katy did not set out to be the ninth micro in the country, the first on Vancouver Island or the first outdoor BC micro with flower listed on the BC Cannabis online store, but now that they are they enjoy helping others understand the process and challenges of obtaining and maintaining a micro cultivation license.
Shawn and Katy did not set out to be the ninth micro in the country, the first on Vancouver Island or the first outdoor BC micro with flower listed on the BC Cannabis online store, but now that they are they enjoy helping others understand the process and challenges of obtaining and maintaining a micro cultivation license.
Session #13: Cider Apple Management on the BC Coast
Thursday, July 7th 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Speakers: Molly Thurston, P.Ag., Agronomist with Pearl Agriculture Consulting
Nick Ibuki, Summerland Varieties Crop.
Panel of Vancouver Island Cider Growers (TBA)
Thursday, July 7th 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Speakers: Molly Thurston, P.Ag., Agronomist with Pearl Agriculture Consulting
Nick Ibuki, Summerland Varieties Crop.
Panel of Vancouver Island Cider Growers (TBA)
Sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, in this two-hour session you will learn about organic cider apple disease and pest management from Molly Thurston. With anywhere between seventy-five and a hundred apple cider cultivars to choose from Nick Ibuki will talk about some of the more popular and available ones in BC and what to expect from them. You will also hear from a panel of Islands cider producers.
Molly Thurston is a Horticulturalist with Pearl Agricultural Consulting, Inc., offering research and extension services to producers and industry-leading companies. Pearl is the perfect intersection of Molly’s passions for science, farming and teaching. Molly also operates Claremont Ranch Organics, an orchard in Lake Country, BC – growing certified organic apples, pears and peaches.
Nick Ibuki is a Horticulturalist and Business Development Manager for Summerland Varieties Corp. also known as SVC. SVC, is a boutique intellectual property management firm located in the heart of British Columbia’s tree fruit growing region. Established shortly after Canada’s adoption of plant breeders’ rights in 1991 they also manage a high health Budwood orchard to supply growers and nurseries with a diverse portfolio of plant material from cutting edge new varieties to cider and perry pear cultivars that have recently been making a resurgence over the last decade.