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.

Gabriola Island Agroforestry Workshop, Oct 19

Join Just Another Weed Patch Farm on Saturday October 19th from 1:00 pm – 3:45 pm  on lovely Gabriola Island for an afternoon site visit and in depth presentation on the successes and challenges of their Agroforestry Demonstration Project!
   
Registration is free by emailing weedpatch@telus.net  Nutty, light refreshments will be provided. Spaces are limited! If you cannot attend please note the presentation will be video recorded and posted online at a later date for your viewing pleasure!

September Agroforestry Extension Events

The British Columbia Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative (AIDI) is pleased to provide support for a big line-up of education and outreach events in September.  All events are free to attend, but please contact the respective event organizers to indicate your attendance.

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Silver Hills Biodiversity Tour (AGF1304)
Friday, 6 September 2013, 10:00 - whenever
Silver Hills Ranch, Lumby

More information:  http://www.agroforestry.info/2013/07/6th-annual-silver-hills-ranch.html

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Streamside Honeybees Agroforestry Tour (AGF1205)
Saturday, 7 September 2013, 13:00 - 14:00
Murray Family Woodlot, near Slocan City

More information: http://www.agroforestry.info/2013/08/streamside-honeybees-agroforestry-tour.html

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Kootenay Silvopasture Tour (AGF1207)
Thursday, 19 September 2013, 08:00 – 12:00
Start from junction of Pritchard Road and Hwy 3/93, Cranbrook

More information: http://www.agroforestry.info/2013/08/2013-kootenay-silvopasture-tour-sept-19.html

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Agroforestry Open House (AGF1103)
Monday, 23 September 2013, 16:00 - 20:00
Resources North Boardroom
2666 Queensway Street, Prince George

More information: http://www.agroforestry.info/2013/08/agroforestry-open-house-prince-george.html

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Cariboo Silvopasture Workshop & Tour (AGF1209)
Friday, 27 September 2013, 10:00 – 16:00
At the Zirnhelt Ranch, 5455 Jacobson Rd (near Big Lake Ranch, BC, east of Williams Lake)

More information:http://www.agroforestry.info/2013/08/cariboo-silvopasture-workshop-tour.html

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A full listing of AIDI extension events is available at:  http://www.agroforestry.info/p/events.html

Cariboo Silvopasture Workshop & Tour

Friday, 27 September 2013, 10:00 – 16:00

Free to participate, but you must arrange your own transportation and lunch.

Presentations and tour start at the Zirnhelt Ranch (near Big Lake Ranch, BC)


Timber and livestock producers have faced more than a decade of volatility in commodity prices, fluctuating demand and exchange rates, pest outbreaks, and regulatory changes.  The mountain pine beetle epidemic has also created unprecedented regional social and economic challenges for forest resource dependent communities in the Interior of BC.  Silvopasture management offers practical options to sustainably address economic diversification for agricultural and timber interests that can also contribute positively to regional economic stability and environmental stewardship.

Zirnhelt Ranch, with funding from the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative (AIDI), is pleased to host a day of agroforestry information and a tour of an operational silvopasture.

Agenda

10:00 - 12:00 Presentations

David Zirnhelt, Zirnhelt Ranch - welcome, overview of the Zirnhelt Ranch, holistic resource management philosophy and motivations for adopting silvopasture practices.

George Powell, BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative - Silvopasture beneficial management practices (BMPs).

Geneve Jasper, Regional Agrologist, BC Ministry of Agriculture - Selecting and managing forages for silvopasture and forestland grazing.

Lisa Zabek, Interior Agroforestry Specialist, BC Ministry of Agriculture - Overview of silvopasture pilot projects around BC.

12:00 - 13:00 Lunch Break (on your own)

13:00 - 16:00 Silvopasture Tour

An informal 'walk and talk' through Zirnhelt Ranch's silvopasture demonstration area with opportunity to share ideas and perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of developing and adopting silvopasture in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region and the potential for silvopasture management to diversify regional ranching and forestry.

Interior Stewardship Workshop Report Available

The summary report from the 9th Annual BC Interior Stewardship Workshop, held in Vanderhoof on May 7-8, 2013 is now posted online. Visit www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/tr_interior_stewardship.html for links to most of the presentations and the summary report for this year, and previous years.

Following the format from previous years, the workshop included sessions for learning, networking, and making new connections. The agenda featured presentations from stewardship organizations, First Nations, and university students.  This year's workshop includes presentations on the use of agroforestry for watershed stewardship.

Partial funding for this workshop was provided by the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative in partnership with the Farmland Riparian Interface Stewardship Program of the BC Cattlemans Association.

Interior Stewardship Workshop tour to the Murray Creek restoration project

Agroforestry at the Ninth Annual BC Interior Stewardship Workshop

The Farm Riparian Interface Stewardship Program, with funding from the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative, is pleased to provide support for an agroforestry information session at the upcoming Ninth Annual BC Interior Stewardship Workshop, in Vanderhoof, May 7 and 8, 2013.

This event is part of the extension series: Riparian Stewardship through Agroforestry 

For more information on the Annual BC Interior Stewardship Workshop, locally hosted by the Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society, please visit the Fraser Basin Council website.

Register for the workshop and tour at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P56YNS6

Workshop is at full capacity - registration is now closed. 

Extension Series: Riparian Stewardship Through Agroforestry

Photo courtesy of D. Trotter, BC Ministry of Agriculture

The Farm Riparian Interface Stewardship Program (FRISP), with funding from the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative (AIDI), will be delivering a series of agroforestry education and outreach sessions in British Columbia throughout 2013.  These sessions will provide information and build awareness about agroforestry beneficial management practices (BMPs) within the agricultural community, and will deliver details on how agroforestry practices can contribute to responsible riparian stewardship.

FRISP, a partnership led by the BC Cattlemen's Association, is designed to help the agricultural sector to protect and enhance water quality, to protect and enhance riparian vegetation, and prevent and mitigate agricultural impacts on streams, rivers and lakes.  This is accomplished by:

• Increasing understanding and cooperation between the provincial and federal agencies responsible for resource management in BC and the agricultural community regarding farmland development and use;
• Promoting the joint planning of habitat restoration and farmland activities between landowners, resource management agencies and community groups;
• Increasing awareness of interactions between land use and habitat values; and,
• Resolving conflicts that may arise between resource agencies and landowners.

Working directly with the landowners to supply technical services or workable advice has enabled FRISP to provide the reasoning behind the regulations, which brings about understanding, cooperation and stewardship through action.

Proper land stewardship requires that landowners understand riparian functions and the negative impact that riparian mis-management can have on agricultural operations, fisheries, and watershed health.  These information sessions will provide attendees with access to agroforestry-related BMP information and resources to understand their full range of management options, and with that information, help plan and implement sustainable agricultural production integrated with riparian stewardship and watershed values.

Details on specific events in this extension series will be announced through the AIDI website (www.agroforestry.info) and social media, and will be included in the Agroforestry BC Event Calendar listings (www.agroforestry.info/p/events.html).

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Funding for this work has been provided through the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative (AGF1304)

Agroforestry Future Directions Package Released

This report examines the future directions of agroforestry practices in British Columbia and recaps what came out of the Cultivating Sustainable Agroforestry workshop held on September 29, 2012, at the University of BC Farm. This workshop brought together people from various backgrounds and areas of interest, to discuss the current state of agroforestry in BC and the opportunities for the continued development of this land management practice.

The collaboration between 75 participants and 9 guest speakers made for a day of dynamic dialogue and new connections within the agroforestry community. Facilitated discussion allowed small groups to consider current challenges, successes and ideas of agroforestry in BC and an on-site agroforestry demonstration tour helped coalesce ideas from the day.

The document outlines the workshop proceedings and offers considerations and recommendations for moving agroforestry in BC forward. This document, and the agroforestry website that hosts it, comprise the Future Directions package.

Visit the Future Directions website, hosted by the UBC Farm : http://agroforestry.ubcfarm.ubc.ca/

Download your free copy of the Future Directions Package
 

Food Forest Training Workshop, Spring 2013

Clear Sky Farm is pleased to offer the first East Kootenay extended residential Food Forest training workshop, in Spring 2013.

This food forest program will provide a solid foundation in Food Forest theory (April 20-21) as well as hands-on establishment training and practice (April 22-May 5). Richard Walker, one of Canada’s most experienced forest gardeners will be teaching the course. The hands-on component will involve the planting of a one acre food forest.

Experience permaculture-based food forest gardening for cold climates firsthand. Learn how to combine layerings of perennial nuts, fruits and medicinals for an abundant and diverse food and medicine supply in your garden or on your farm.

Great for garden & food enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels. If you have done a permaculture course you will find that this course provides the practical details and opportunities you need to implement permaculture’s broader principles & theories. This course attracts a broad section of experienced and knowledgeable participants who love to learn together.

A Video Introducing the Food Forest Project :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_PlCE895Rw

Business Development Tools For Interior Agroforestry Initiatives

Agroforestry systems can be a beneficial option for small lot agricultural producers in BC, potentially providing both “bottom line” business returns and improving land productivity.  Interest is often expressed by new and established producers to learn more about these opportunities, however, there are currently few formal resources for producers to assist them with building their agroforestry businesses.

To respond to this need, the Splatsin First Nation, with funding from the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative, will develop a user-friendly, step-by-step business planning and development guide for interior agroforestry producers.  As part of developing this tool, current agroforestry producers, or those agricultural producers interested in transitioning to these production systems, will provide input via a survey.  The guide will also be “field tested” on current agroforestry or agricultural producers in the Splatsin and Cariboo areas through two extension workshops.

These business support tools will aid in developing the business case for agroforestry in BC and enhance awareness of agroforestry opportunities, through providing producers with timely, actionable information, to those considering initiating or expanding an agroforestry venture.  The guide could be used by existing agroforestry businesses to enhance their enterprise, or by current agricultural producers who wish to learn more about the economic and environmental returns from developing an agroforestry business.  Although the guide will be a “step by step” tool, land owners and managers will be able to use the agroforestry business template information and tailor it to their own circumstances.

Splatsin (formerly known as the Spallumcheen Indian Band) is one of seventeen communities that comprise the Secwepemc Nation. Splatsin First Nation has three reserves: IR #1 Salmon River, IR #2 Enderby and IR #3 Sicamous.  Splatsin has a lengthy history with natural resource management, agriculture and agroforestry.  The agroforestry business development tools project is being managed by the Splatsin Economic Development office.  For more information on this project or the upcoming extension workshops, please contact Splatsin at 250-838-6496.

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Funding for this work has been provided through the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative (AGF1212)

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.

Cultivating Sustainable Agroforestry Workshop Agenda

Saturday, 29 September 2012 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PDT) at the UBC Farm, Vancouver, BC

9:00-10:00 – Registration

10:00-10:20 – Welcome and opening remarks

10:20 – 11:00 – David Trotter - David will give an overview of Agroforestry principals, look at the current agroforestry industry in BC, and touch on existing challenges and opportunities.

11:00-11:15 – Break

11:15-11:45 – Kelleen Wiseman - Kelleen will focus on the business planning and marketing tools that can be used to assess readiness and expansion potential of a farm business into the agroforestry area.

11:45-12:30 – Break-off groups: facilitated discussion – what are potential barriers to adopting agroforestry initiatives? Regulation or policy red tape? What concerns, challenges can we foresee? What processes/functions/frameworks does one need to better understand to successfully bring a product to market?

12:30-1:30 – Lunch (vegetarian and featuring produce from UBC Farm)

1:30-2:00 – Concurrent sessions

Peter Andres – Peter will provide an overview of the hazelnut industry, including current challenges and specifically EFB disease. He will discuss what the industry is doing to build itself up again and what this means in terms of opportunities for farmers looking to incorporate hazelnuts into their production.

Robin Clark and Taylor White -- Robin and Taylor will outline steps to assess the carbon footprint of an agroforestry or agriculture operation and discuss potential opportunities to integrate carbon sequestration into agroforestry strategies. Farm specific GHG calculator can be found here http://www2.cplan.org.uk/index.php?_load=page&_pageid=3 . Participants encouraged to visit this site prior to the conference.

2:00-2:30   – Concurrent sessions

Thom ODell –  Thom will discuss current research into new hazelnut varieties, what these new varieties offer in terms of yield and disease resistance, what growers can expect from new varieties, time from establishment to production and other characteristics.

David Bradbeer – David will introduce the idea of establishing native trees & shrubs on local farms, and what benefits (and challenges) these impart on the agroecosystem. Some focus will be given to ways of managing hedgerows for food production.

2:30- 3:20  Shannon Berch – Shannon will explore basic truffle biology, the methods used to produce and harvest them, and what success would look like in BC. Her presentation begins in the event tent and ends in the field.

3:20-3:30 Break

3:30-4:00 Scott Henderson – Scott will impart his knowledge of mushroom cultivation: How to produce mushrooms within an agroforestry framework, what varieties grow best/easiest/offer the best market value, what does one need to begin a cultivation enterprise, and more.

4:00-5:00 Facilitated discussion

Cultivating Sustainable Agroforestry Workshop

Saturday, 29 September 2012 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PDT)

at the UBC Farm, Vancouver, BC

With consumers demanding higher standards of ethically and sustainably sourced products, and governments looking for carbon offset projects, we have an exciting opportunity to contribute to sustainable land use by combining trees with agriculture or gardens and concurrently generate new streams of income. While many agroforestry stakeholders and community members are already practicing sustainability, there are opportunities for new products and services and new financing mechanisms that are not well known in the farming community.

There is a general lack of intercommunity and public awareness, market access, communication, and exchange of ideas in this area that leaves significant gaps in the overall strength, vitality and innovation of the sustainable agroforestry sector. This is both a problem and an opportunity that is large in scope and involves a broad cross-section of industry, farmers, land managers, policy makers, small businesses and others.

This workshop will help agroforestry stakeholders put sustainability into practice on their lands.  It will facilitate discussion, networking, hands-on learning, demonstration, and an exchange of ideas across agroforestry sectors, cultures, agricultural fields, and generations.

At this workshop, the following agroforestry topics will be presented and discussed: small-scale production and marketing of timber and non-timber products and services, riparian and terrestrial buffers, emerging opportunities and technologies, removing barriers to market access, niche marketing strategies, and the role of regulation.

Northern BC Agroforestry Workshop Proceedings Available

Proceedings from an agroforestry workshop hosted by the Resources North Association are now available for a free download

The 1-day workshop took place on March 29, 2012 at the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum in Prince George, BC. Thirty-six participants attended including presenters from the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources Canada, Sweder Berries U-Pick, the Universtiy of Northern BC, Resources North Association and Glenbirnam Farms. The audience included a mix of local government, community forests, land/business owners, academics, and students. The group discussion provided good guidance on future activities for the development of a northern BC 'Community of Practice' agroforestry plan, including several field tours, demonstration opportunities and collaborations.

The proceedings include a compilation of presentation summaries and discussions that took place during the workshop. Individual presentations are also available for download.

Workshop: Building Agroforestry Capacity in Northern BC

AGROFORESTRY

Building Agroforestry Capacity in Northern BC

WORKSHOP

Resources North Association (RNA), with support from Natural Resources Canada, Forest Communities Program, Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative and Omineca Beetle Action Coalition, will be hosting an agroforestry workshop to launch a community of practice in Northern BC.   The goals for this workshop are to:

• Introduce the concept of an agroforestry community of practice and the goals of the project;
• Present local and regional examples of agroforestry operations, and future opportunities; and
• Develop a framework for guiding the learning activities to be implemented in the coming year.

The workshop will be held at The Central BC Railway & Forestry Museum located at 850 River Road, Prince George, BC.  The registration fee of $22.40 includes registrant package, mid-morning refreshment break, lunch, mid-afternoon refreshment break and HST.

To register, please visit the registration website or contact Diana Tecson, RNA Executive Assistant, 250-612-5840, diana@resourcesnorth.org.

  

For more information on this workshop, please view our  Poster Announcement  or visit www.resourcesnorth.org, under Agroforestry 2012 or contact Melanie Karjala, RNA General Manager, regarding agenda questions at 250-612-5844, melanie@resourcesnorth.org.