South Coast Edition

Regional Newsletter - August 2024

WELCOME TO THE SOUTH COAST REGIONAL NEWSLETTER

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is committed to timely, regional communications regarding emergency preparedness for drought and other natural disasters for agriculture producers through the AgriService BC e-Bulletin. 

Information is conveyed through Regional Newsletters as well as Special Bulletins as required. If you wish to stay informed and prepare your agriculture business for emergencies, sign up for the newsletter and select all regions you would like to receive information for. 

Note: If you already receive the Provincial AgriService BC e-Bulletin, be sure to manage your preferences and update your region as this is a new feature. 

We also encourage you to follow us on Facebook. 

Drought Preparedness

New Agricultural Water Resource Consultants for the South Coast

In recent years, BC has experienced a significant increase in drought conditions, greatly impacting the agricultural sector. This shift in climate patterns has led to reduced water availability, making it challenging for farmers to maintain traditional farming practices. The scarcity of water has not only stressed the irrigation systems but also heightened the need for more efficient water management and conservation strategies. Agricultural producers in the South Coast have been impacted by drought conditions and have been subject to regulatory action. These conditions have compelled producers to adapt to drought-resistant crops, move to advanced irrigation technologies, and rethinking land-use practices.

To help support the farming community we have hired Zachary Fleming and Joseph Levitsky as Agricultural Water Resource Consultants. They will work with the agriculture community to determine solutions during times of drought and reduced water availability and support producers with a better understanding of the regulatory landscape. 

Upcoming dates

• August 12, 2024 from 1:30 to 2:00
• August 26, 2024 from 1:30 to 2:00
• September 9, 2024 from 1:30 to 2:00
• September 23, 2024 from 1:30 to 2:00

Water Management Resources

Introducing Zachary Fleming and Joseph Levitsky

The new Agricultural Water Resource Consultants for the South Coast

In recent years, BC has experienced a significant increase in drought conditions, greatly impacting the agricultural sector. This shift in climate patterns has led to reduced water availability, making it challenging for farmers to maintain traditional farming practices. The scarcity of water has not only stressed the irrigation systems but also heightened the need for more efficient water management and conservation strategies. Agricultural producers in the South Coast have been impacted by drought conditions and have been subject to regulatory action. These conditions have compelled producers to adapt to drought-resistant crops, move to advanced irrigation technologies, and rethinking land-use practices.

To help support the farming community we have hired Zachary Fleming and Joseph Levitsky as Agricultural Water Resource Consultants. They will work with the agriculture community to determine solutions during times of drought and reduced water availability.

Zachary Fleming

"I have been working as an independent Professional Agrologist in the Fraser Valley since 2018, with nearly 15 years of experience in agriculture. My work focuses on sustainable agriculture practices, strategic planning, compliance guidance, and nutrient and data management. As an Environmental Farm Plan Advisor based in Chilliwack, BC, I assist farmers in improving farm sustainability and addressing environmental risks.

My expertise extends to water resource management and irrigation planning, leveraging current opportunities, programs, technology, and innovation to enhance agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship. I am dedicated to finding practical environmental solutions grounded in a thorough understanding of agriculture and its community. Amid increasing pressures from extreme weather, I remain committed to supporting our community and collaborating on effective solutions for the future."

Joseph Levitsky

Since 2018, I have been dedicated to serving the Fraser Valley as an independent Professional Agrologist. My journey has taken me through various roles, including adjusting losses for Production Insurance for vegetables and berries, providing me with firsthand insight into the uncertainties posed by climate change and its impact on our crop portfolio. In my current role as a Planning Advisor, I develop Environmental Farm Plans for a diverse range of commodities. This work allows me to support farmers directly in addressing their environmental risks, enhancing both their quality of life and profitability.

I am also pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Practice at Royal Roads University. This academic path reflects my commitment to professional development and my belief in the necessity of environmental solutions rooted in a deep understanding of agriculture and its community. We are navigating unprecedented times with increasing pressures from extreme weather, and I am passionate about supporting our community in finding the best paths forward and working together to develop sustainable and effective solutions.

Zachary and Joseph will be engaging in the following activities throughout the summer and fall:

• Educating farmers on best practices for water conservation and efficient irrigation techniques.
• Providing on-farm training and demonstration workshops and seminars for farmers and agricultural professionals.
• Collaborating with local agricultural agencies and organizations to promote sustainable water usage.
• Support producers with access to funding and resources.
• assist producers with water license applications

Demonstration Field Day

Friday August 16, 2024

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Delta, BC

Optimizing Water and Nutrients in Potatoes

Farmers, we invite you to join us for this drop-in demonstration field day to hear about soil moisture monitoring and tissue sampling to improve nutrient management and irrigation programs in potatoes.

Find out how soil moisture sensors can help you optimize water usage and enhance crop health. Learn about real-time nutrient plant tissue sampling using Picketa Systems. Observe the potential benefits of a solid set irrigation system and split nitrogen applications on crop performance. E.S. Cropconsult Ltd. and Peak HydroMet Solutions will be showcasing these tools used at Lundstrum Farms in a demonstration trial.

When: Friday August 16, 2024.

Drop-in anytime between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM

Where: 6166 34b Ave, Delta, BC. See road signs for parking.

Rain or shine.

Pizza and beverages will be provided.

Participants will be entered into a draw to win a free tissue analysis using Picketa Systems.

The Optimizing Water and Nutrient Management in Potatoes project is led by the BC Potato and Vegetable Growers’ Association and funded by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Demo: Solar Powered Autonomous Seeders & Weeders

Thinking about embracing autonomous agritech equipment in response to labour shortages, rising costs and a desire for improved soil health? Or simply curious about the technology? Then join Organic BC at Van Eekelen Enterprises in Abbotsford on August 19th for a discussion and demo of autonomous seeders and weeders in agriculture! 

Representatives from FrontLink Inc., importers and distributors of various types of agritech equipment, will be on hand to discuss the latest developments. They will also demonstrate the FarmDroid FD20, a fully autonomous, solar-powered seeding and weeding robot. The FarmDroid FD20 uses GPS to seed crops and subsequently weed the crops it planted, managing up to 12 rows at a time. 

Following the demonstration, there will be ample time for questions and discussions, and snacks and refreshments will be provided.

This event is free and open to anyone interested, but registration is required.

On-Farm Demonstration Research Field Day

Farmers of the Sea-to-Sky! We invite you to join us to hear about on-farm demonstration research projects that have been implemented in Pemberton. You can expect to hear about:

• Grower updates from multi-year demonstration trials looking at no-till practices in mixed vegetable operation and interseeding cover crops in broccoli beds.
• How the low soil pH in Pemberton has been associated with poor phosphorus availability to plants. Hear about potential approaches to improve P availability that are being demonstrated via trials this summer.
• How soil moisture monitoring and tissue sampling can improve nutrient management and irrigation programs in potatoes. Find out how soil moisture sensors can help you optimize water usage and enhance crop health. Learn about real-time nutrient plant tissue sampling using Picketa Systems. E.S. Cropconsult Ltd. and Peak HydroMet Solutions will be showcasing these tools.

These trials are part of two projects

1) The On-Farm Demonstration Research (OFDR) project, and 2) The Optimizing Water and Nutrient Management in Potatoes project, both funded by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

The Ewesful Farmer
"Making Good Decisions as a Sheep Producer"
BC Sheep Federation Annual Conference & AGM
October 5-6th 2024
Matsqui Community Hall

Keynote Speaker Dr. Steve Mason, Ph.D.

Visit www.bcsheepfed.com or email sheepproducers@gmail.com for information and to register.
Registration deadline September 15

Farm Management Canada’s Agricultural Excellence Conference

Don’t miss out on Early Bird Ticket sale!
Farm Management Canada’s Agricultural Excellence Conference
Date: November 19-21, 2024
Location: Abbotsford-Chilliwack

On-Farm Demonstration Research

As part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food's Regional Extension Program, your local Regional Agrologist's and ES Cropconsult Ltd. worked one-on-one with various farmers in the Lower Mainland/Sea to Sky region to support on-farm demonstration research and promote beneficial management practices. This was a farmer-led initiative that prioritized projects that were of direct interest to our farmer-collaborators, could be evaluated over multiple years, and linked to positive environmental and practical outcomes. After our first year of data collection, we produced the following resources:
1. Research Manuals
2. Research Brief's (aka Trial Summaries)
3. An introductory video

The Research Manuals are intended to be an instructional document to be used by farmers interested in trialing the practice on their own farm, while the Research Briefs summarize the data collected after the first year of the trials. These documents are posted on the Ministry of Agriculture and Food website at the bottom of our South Coast page.

We will also be holding a field day in Pemberton on September 3, 2024, that will cover part of this project (more info in the 'Events' section above). If you have any questions or are interested in participating in a project like this in the future, please reach out to Agriservice BC or one of your Regional Agrologist via the contact information at the bottom of this newsletter.

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program aims to increase the environmental resiliency of agricultural landscapes across Canada by promoting the adoption of beneficial on-farm land use and management practices. Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust (DFWT) [Home - DELTA FARMLAND & WILDLIFE TRUST] is one of the organizations that is delivering the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program in British Columbia.

The DFWT is a non-profit organization that has promoted the conservation of farmland, soil resources and wildlife habitat in the Fraser River estuary through co-operative land stewardship with local farmers for more than 30 years.

The stewardship programs offered by the DFWT are available to producers in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, and include cover cropping, set asides, and field margin enhancements.  

Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program

PROGRAM INFORMATION: The Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (AWP) aims to increase adoption of efficient irrigation infrastructure and improve agricultural water supply and management in British Columbia. Through this program, the Government of B.C. seeks to see improvements to stream flows, fish populations and an increased and more sustainable food production. The program goal is to help improve water security in agricultural areas and food security in B.C.

The AWP is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF) of B.C. Please refer to the program website for details: iafbc.ca/agriculture-water-infrastructure-program/

• Stream 1 Producer Projects opened for application drafts on June 27, 2024, and open for applications from July 25, 2024, to August 8, 2024.
• Stream 2 Community Projects: CLOSED
• Stream 3 Assessments, Engineering Studies or Plans opened for applications on June 20, 2024. Ongoing. 
• Stream 4 Strategic Projects: Stay tuned. 

B.C.'s agricultural producers face many business risks that are beyond their control (production losses, severe market volatility, extreme weather events, or disasters); the Province’s suite of agricultural insurance and income stability programs can help you manage those risks.

Production Insurance Application Deadlines for the 2025 Crop Year:
• Berries, Grapes, Flower Bulbs and Strawberry Plants – October 31, 2024
• Tree Fruits and Forage – November 30, 2024

In July 2024 the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food launched the AgriService BC Crop and Livestock Reporter Program based on the very successful crop reporting programs in Alberta and Saskatchewan. This program is for any agricultural producer or allied tradesperson who enjoys monitoring agricultural production conditions in their area and would like to be part of a network of people contributing timely, local agricultural intel to raise awareness of growing conditions throughout B.C. and support agricultural information sharing.

Each week from April to November, Reporters will spend about 5 minutes filling out an easy online survey that collects information on rainfall, topsoil moisture conditions, seeding progress, crop development, crop damage, harvest progress, livestock feed and water supplies, and pasture conditions. This information will be used in B.C. by producers, producer organizations, government, and others interested in keeping informed of current agricultural production findings in regions across B.C.

Heads Up! Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program opening soon!

The objective of the KTTP is to increase the competitiveness, resiliency, and innovation of the British Columbia (B.C.) agriculture and food sector through facilitated knowledge and technology transfer.

The cost-shared reimbursement program is intended to strategically support B.C.’s producers and processors to innovate and adapt to changing environmental, production, and market conditions through practical, applied knowledge and skill development to ensure behaviour change.

The next KTTP intake is expected to open later in 2024. Please check back for updates and announcements.

Access to Feed Program

Available to all livestock producers.

A program provided by the BC Cattlemen's Association was created to connect feed suppliers to livestock producers that are in need of feed due to drought.

Submit applications if you have feed available for sale including: type of hay/ quality, bale type & size, equipment to unload, ability to handle a b-train or step-deck delivery, your contact info & location.

Contact hay@cattlemen.bc.ca or 250-306-6277

SAVE THE DATE!

Application intake for the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program will be opening SOON.

The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program (ABPP) provides funding support for primary agricultural producers and agriculture, food and beverage processors to support informed decision making and ensure business development.

Funding is available under two streams:

1)      Agri-business skills and leadership development

2)      Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery

To find out more, please visit the Ministry’s website https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/agri-business-planning-program#Overview

Follow the link below, follow, like and share! 

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