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Kootenay & Boundary Edition
Regional Newsletter
February 2025
February brings many learning opportunities - be ready to scroll for the February edition of our regional newsletter. Make sure to check the BMP program updates for funding application windows opening in February (including irrigation) and updates from the Business Risk Management Programs. In this edition you'll find:
Upcoming winter events
- Kootenay Soil Building Network Zoom (Compost!)
- KBFA winter Wednesday webinars
- Cattle & Forage Living Labs Rancher Panel
- Young Agrarians Perennial Propagation Fair and Scion Exchange
- BC Silvopasture Webinar series
- Southern Interior Horticulture Show
- UBC Irrigation webinar
- Camera guided weeding technology webinar
- Golden and Area A Farmers' Round Table
- Soil Health Webinars
Programs and Funding Opportunities
- Beneficial Management Practices Program Updates
- AgriStability and Crop Insurance program updates
- Food Safety Program
Resources
- Dutch Elm Disease - Factsheet and news of affected trees in our region
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) podcasts from Organic BC
- Innovative Weed Management videos, podcasts, and webinars
Updated AgriService BC Website
The AgriService BC website has been updated with improved searchability and accessibility features, an events calendar, an educational videos page and more!
AgriService BC connects you to ministry programs, resources, education and events. Find tools and services to help your farm succeed in B.C.
Winter Zoom Discussion Series for the Kootenay Soil Building Network
Join us for the third discussion among the Kootenay Soil Building Network focusing on compost. This follows our first two discussion on soil textures, nitrogen availability.
Compost is one of the main inputs that farmers invest in to build soil, but not all composts are the same. Dieter Geesing with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Soil Team will discuss what to look out for when purchasing compost and discuss the pros and cons of having compost as a farm’s primary farm input for fertility management.
Feb 5, 2025 07:00 PM ETC/GMT+7
KBFA Winter Wednesday Webinars
Drones on the Farm
Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM PST
Join local drone pilots and geospatial experts Vadim Stolyarov and Santiago Botero of Above Sensing for an insightful presentation on leveraging drone technology to enhance your farming operations.
Feb 12: Drones on the Farm - KBFA
Farm Water Storage
Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM PST
Join farm water planner and KBFA general advisor Andrew Bennett to discuss how to go about increasing water storage on your farm, and how you can try to get your projects funded. Andrew will give an overview of the legal, physical, and economic factors you’ll want to consider, followed by plenty of time for Q and A.
Feb 19: Farm Water Storage - KBFA
Electric Fence How-to
Date: Wednesday, February 26 2025
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM PST
Join KBFA general advisor Andrew Bennett to go over how electric fences work and the many options available, followed by a Q and A to discuss your particular needs.
BC Living Labs - Cattle & Forage
Rancher Panel Webinar
On February 13, join the BC Living Lab Cattle & Forage group for a Winter Webinar Rancher Panel! The panel will feature BC ranchers who are testing corn grazing and relay cropping extended grazing practices. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share their experiences with these practices.
Southern Interior Horticulture Show
Agenda available online – register now!
This two-day event will cover a variety of important horticultural topics through extensive speaker sessions, evening networking event and an impressive tradeshow where exhibitors will showcase their products and services supporting the tree fruit and grape industries in B.C.
Full agenda is now online at the conference website: Southern Interior Horticultural Show
REGISTRATION: General Admission: $75 + Tax
Includes participation in the trade show, evening social event, and all conference sessions
Perennial Propagation Fair & Scion Exchange
Join us on February 22nd to learn all about perennial plant propagation! This free, full-day event in Slocan Park will feature four different speakers sharing their extensive propagation knowledge – from growing trees from seed, rooting hardwood cuttings, multi-grafting fruit trees, and growing native plants.
Back by Popular Demand...
- Tuesday, February 25, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
- Thursday, February 27, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Webinars will cover introductory, planning, management-practices and case-study information and materials.
Following the webinars, participants can register for one-one-ones to discuss their own ideas, operations or
questions with topic experts.
All webinars will be held via Zoom. No charge for registration. To register please visit the event landing page and follow the registration link. Register for any or all of the sessions in the series.
Golden & Area A Farmers’ Round Table
Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Location: Golden Civic Center – Grand Hall
Time: Lunch at 11:30; Meeting 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Local Food Matters Golden, with support from KBFA, are hosting a Round Table Community Engagement Meeting to hear from our local food producers. We want to hear your experiences and opinions! Come connect with your agricultural community. Lunch and coffee will be provided.
Soil Health Webinars
All webinars will take place 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (PST), please click on the links below to register for each of the webinars.
- February 24 - The Impacts of Soil Compaction on Soil Health
- February 26 - Managing Forage Stands for Soil Health and Productivity
- February 28 - Managing Vegetation for Snow Capture
Contact Catherine Tarasoff catherine@agrowest.ca if you have any questions.
Online Event:
Camera-Guided, Tractor-Mounted Weeding Equipment
On March 3rd, join Organic BC for an engaging online session featuring tractor-mounted, camera-guided weeding equipment! This session is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights, share experiences, and get answers to all your questions about these weeding systems.
Reps from leading manufacturers (Carre, Einbock, Raven Industries and Lemken/Steketee) will present key specs and capabilities
Three farmers will share their firsthand knowledge of how these systems have performed in different farming environments, plus valuable tips for optimizing their use
Take part in an interactive Q&A where you can ask questions directly to the reps and farmers and really dig into the challenges and advantages of this technology
This event is free but registration is required. Save your spot here.
Financial support was provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
The Tree Fruit Climate Resiliency Program is no longer accepting new applications, as funding requests have exceeded available funding. We thank all applicants for their interest in the program.
The BC Agriculture and Food Export Program has extended the deadline for applications to 4:00 pm PST, Monday, February 10, 2025.
BCAFE helps B.C. businesses expand and sustain their export markets. It offers cost-shared funding for market development outside B.C. Funding for this program is provided by the governments of Canada and British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Application Dates: January 6 – February 10, 2025.
Find out more by visiting bcagricultureandfoodexportprogram.ca.
Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program
BMP applications that open this February
Water Infrastructure: applications can be drafted now, submissions can be made starting February 10
Biodiversity and Riparian: applications open for editing February 20, submission can be made starting March 13
- Did you know the biodiversity category includes funding for fencing to protect feed in stackyards from wildlife?
Applicants are encouraged to begin drafting their applications as soon as the application window opens.
This preparation will ensure readiness for submission, including addressing questions, gathering details, and obtaining quotes. Submissions will be accepted between 9:00 am PST and 4:00 pm PST on the designated dates.
How to Apply
- Applications must be submitted through the IAF Client Portal.
- Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis according to the schedule.
- Visit www.iafbc.ca/bmp/ to explore opportunities for your farm or ranch.
Subscribe to IAF’s program newsletter or Growing Today to stay informed about the BMP Program.
Business Risk Management Programs are an important part of a farmer’s overall risk management strategy. AgriStability and Production Insurance work together to provide the best coverage for producers.
AgriStability is a low-cost program that helps farmers manage large income losses. When your income drops because of disaster, poor production, rising costs, or bad market conditions, AgriStability can help.
2024 AgriStability Enhancement
- AgriStability 2024 enrollment deadline extended to April 30, 2025
- up to 75% for early payments (application deadline March 31, 2025)
- increased compensation rate (90% for every dollar of margin decline), and
- increased compensation limit ($6.2 Million)
Upcoming AgriStability deadlines
March 31:
2024 early payment (interim) application deadline
April 30:
- 2024 late participation deadline
- 2024 program fee deadline (with penalty)
2025 program year and fee deadline
Staff are available to answer questions and help with the enrollment process.
Phone: 1-877-343-2767 toll-free. Support is available in English and Punjabi.
Email: AgriStability@gov.bc.ca
Visit: www.gov.bc.ca/AgriStability
Production Insurance helps producers manage their risk of crop losses caused by hail, spring frost, excessive rain, drought, flooding and other extreme weather events. In B.C. Production Insurance is available for Berries, Flower bulbs, Forage, Grain, Grapes, Tree fruit and Vegetables.
Upcoming Production Insurance deadlines
March 31:
- Strawberry crops application and renewal deadline
Vegetables application and renewal deadline
April 30:
- Grain application and renewal deadline
- Silage corn application and renewal deadline
- Forage spring plantings application and renewal deadline
Staff are available to help with the application and renewal process.
Phone: 1-888-332-3352 toll-free
Email: ProductionInsurance.Kelowna@gov.bc.ca
Visit: www.gov.bc.ca/CropInsurance
Applications for this program are accepted starting January 31
The Food Safety Program provides 70% cost share funding up to $25,000 for assessments and on farm improvements related to food safety.
There are many activities and costs eligible through the program - visit the Investment Agriculture Foundation's program page for more specifics.
Updated Dutch Elm Disease Factsheet
In June 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed DED caused by Ophiostoma novo-ulmi in multiple American elm trees in British Columbia (B.C.) in the Kootenay Boundary Regional District. Introduction of this disease poses a significant threat to elm nursery stock and landscape plantings of elm in the province.
You can find the factsheet at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/animal-and-crops/plant-health/disease-factsheets/nursery-and-ornamentals/af_dutch_elm_disease.pdf
Uncovering GAP:
New Mini-series from Organic BC
If you’re interested in pursuing GAP certification but are feeling overwhelmed by the process, then be sure to tune into the Organic BC podcast for three brand-new episodes on demystifying this certification! Join us as a BC farmer takes us through her journey to become GAP certified—the process, the expense and the pain points. (And, stay tuned for more information on our in-person field days coming up in early March, featuring mock GAP audits.)
Listen now at: organicbc.org/podcast
Innovative Weed Management
Check out our Innovative Weed Management Series of videos, podcasts, and webinars to learn more about promising developments in weeding technology.
Videos
Podcasts
- Controlling Weeds with Electricity in Perennial Systems
- Robot Weeding Tech: A look at some promising options
Past Webinars
- Advancing Weed Control: Agritech weeders in B.C. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmQr-OxgHV0
- Innovative Weed Management: Tackling Thistle and Bindweed in Agriculture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOrNjv4Ihis
Other resources
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