Agroforestry Session at the 2014 Hort Growers Short Course

Agroforestry will once again be featured at the 2014 Horticulture Growers' Short Course. The Short Course, delivered by the Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Association in association with the Pacific Agriculture Show, will be held at the Tradex in Abbotsford, BC from January 30th to Feb 1st, 2014.

The Alternate Crops/Agroforestry Session will take place on Thursday morning, January 30  in the FCC Room at the Tradex, and will be chaired by Dave Trotter, of Ministry of Agriculture.

For more information on the Horticulture Growers's Short Course, or to register, please visit: www.agricultureshow.net/horticulture-growers-short-course

AGENDA

08:45 – 09:00
Introduction
Dave Trotter, Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, BC

09:00 – 09:30
Agroforestry Initiative – Demonstration Projects and Resources Available
George Powell, Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative
The Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative has just completed its second five year term and George will highlight the demonstrations and resources available to producers.

09:30 – 10:00
Alley Cropping with Black Walnut and Pawpaw
Brenda Dureault, Curly Frog Farm, Kelowna, BC
Brenda will provide an overview of lessons learned in establishing black walnut and pawpaw trees in an alley cropping system on a small lot farm.

10:00 – 10:15
Coffee Break

10:15 – 10:45
Agroforestry Production Development Tool (APD Tool): An Agroforestry Decision-making Tool for Producers.
Kate Menzies, UBC Farm, Vancouver, BC
Kate will discuss a business support tool for producers considering an agroforestry venture on their land.

10:45 – 11:15
Integrating Apiculture with Riparian Buffers
Michael Murray, Murray Family Woodlot, Nelson, BC
Michael will discuss the use of their family woodlot to demonstrate the benefits of blending apiculture in an integrated riparian management system.

11:15 – 11:45
Agroforestry Approaches on a Small Agricultural Lot.
Sonja Zupanec and Jeff Rietkerk, Just Another Weed Patch Farm, Gabriola Island, BC
Learn about an innovative approach to the development of a diverse nut and timber tree grove grown in combination with livestock, annual vegetable and flower crops.

2013 Horticulture Growers Short Course Proceedings Available

The proceedings from the 2013 Growers Short Course held in January 2013 at Tradex, Abbotsford is ready for download. 
Included are the full presentations and supplementary information from Alternate Crops / Agroforestry Session held on January 24.

The proceedings are a free download for those that attended the Short Course; registered participants will be emailed a link and download password.

Others interested in the proceedings can purchase a copy (and copies of past proceedings) from the Lower Mainland Hort Improvement Association: www.agricultureshow.net/horticulture-growers-short-course

Agroforestry Session at the 2013 Hort Growers Short Course

The BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative is pleased to sponsor the Alternate Crops/Agroforestry Session at the 2013 Horticulture Growers' Short Course. 

The 2013 Short Course is being delivered by the Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Association in association with the Pacific Agriculture Show at the Tradex in Abbotsford, BC from January 24 to 26, 2013.

The Alternate Crops/Agroforestry Session will take place on Thursday January 24 from 1 pm to 4:30 pm in the Lobby Room at the Tradex, and will be chaired by Dave Trotter from the BC Ministry of Agriculture.

For more information on the Horticulture Growers's Short Course or to register, please visit: www.agricultureshow.net/horticulture-growers-short-course

Agenda

1:00 - 1:15 
Introduction
Dave Trotter, BC Ministry of Agriculture

1:15 - 1:45 
Agroforestry Initiative - Current Projects and Funding Opportunities.
George Powell, Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative
The Agroforestry Initiative has cost-share funding for projects which benefit industry development including demonstrations, workshops etc; Outlines of current and pending projects will be provided.

1:45 - 2:15 
Mushroom Cultivation within an Agroforestry Framework
Scott Henderson, The Mushroom Man, Vancouver, BC
Scott will provide an overview of the different mushroom species, kits and considerations from his many years of experience and how they may be used within an agroforestry systems approach.

2:15 - 2:30
Scott Henderson will have various mushroom kits and supplies available for viewing.

2:30 - 3:00 
Food Forest Agroforestry Model in Eastern BC
Michelle Heinz, Clear Sky Meditation and Study Foundation, Fort Steele, BC
Learn about an innovative approach to a food forest model that demonstrates agroforestry practices that are ecologically sound as well as productive in South Eastern BC.

15:00 - 15:30 
Current Research on New Hazelnut Varieties
Thom O’Dell and Haley Argen, Nature Tech Nursery Ltd., Langley, BC
Haley and Thom will look at the new disease resistant variety of hazelnut species along with the biological and management considerations needed to develop an agroforestry system approach to hazelnuts.

3:30 - 4:00 
Exploring the Possibilities of Devil’s Club under Forest Farming & Integrated Riparian Agroforestry Management
Fidel Forgarty, Pacific Reishi Ltd, Robert’s Creek, BC
Fidel will discuss the biology, uses and management considerations for the development of an integrated riparian management or forest farming systems approach with Devil’s Club.

4:00 - 4:30 
Alley Cropping of High Valued Hardwoods and Forage - Pilot Initiative for a Production Approach
Lavona Liggins, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Kamloops, BC
Learn about an alley cropping agroforestry systems approach to the co-production of high-valued hardwoods and forage coupled with efficient irrigation management.