Islands Edition

Regional Newsletter - August 2024

Farmer to Farmer Forage Field Day

As part of the on-going effort to adapt to hotter and drier summers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food partnered with Comox Valley Farmer’s Institute to bring forage producers together to see and discuss warm season forages.

Over twenty people visited two sites to see alfalfa-orchard grass, pearl millet, hybrid sorghum-sudangrass and teff seedings. The alfalfa probably had the most interest with discussion focusing on fertility and weed management for successful establishment. While the sorghum-sudangrass and millet had good establishment, teff was not as successful and may require more heat than our climate provided this year. The sorghum-sudangrass, millet and teff were planted as part of a Provincial trial of warm-season grasses through our regional extension program.

Please let us know if you have ideas for more projects and events like this.

Sorghum-sudangrass hybrid seeding in Comox Valley, about 45 days post-seeding.

Drought levels in the Koksilah River, Tsolum River, and Chemainus River watersheds are now at drought Level 5, one level higher than the drought level of the major basin they sit within. “Watershed Watch” areas are priority watersheds identified as being at risk of severe low flows due to high water user demand, a history of low flows, and having significant ecological or fisheries value (see image below). Drought levels are updated every Thursday at 9 a.m. on the B.C. Drought Information Portal.

With the Koksilah and Tsolum watersheds now at drought Level 5 and worsening water scarcity conditions, the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) is urging water users to maximize voluntary efforts to reduce water use. If drought conditions do not improve and voluntary reduction measures are not enough to restore critical flows and protect fish populations in the Koksilah and Tsolum watersheds, WLRS will consider issuing Fish Population Protection Orders for some water users (likely large-volume agricultural irrigators and other industrial water users) to temporarily cease diversions in the coming weeks (find out more about temporary protection orders here).

Through the Regional Extension Program and additional drought funding from the Province, here are some of the activities we’re currently working on to support Islands & Sunshine Coast farms to adapt:

• 21 producers attended a field day on July 25th that showcased the success, or lack thereof, for a trials of switchgrass, a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid, pearl millet and teff in Courtenay. This is part of a Provincewide project researching warm season grasses for adaptation to our climate. The event also featured a visit to a nearby alfalfa field and was facilitated by the Comox Valley Farmers’ Institute.
• We are partnering with local farmers and Kwantlen Polytechnic University to create demonstration sites and fact sheets about dry farming on the Islands.
• Upcoming events include water storage and irrigation demonstrations, extreme temperature adaptation, drought adapted grazing & forage production, and we’re actively looking for host farms and more event ideas - contact us with ideas or to host.
• A virtual town hall meeting was held on July 25th in collaboration with the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. Any future events as well as articles can be found at 2024 Drought and water management workshops and engagement.

Digital Drought Resources: 

Drought levels are currently being monitored in all watersheds on Vancouver Island. Weather will dictate drought levels set by the province. For current drought information please check in on the BC Drought Information Portal (gov.bc.ca) 

• Drought in Agriculture resources 
• Calculate your evapotranspiration, growing degree days and more at Farmwest.com 
• BC Agriculture Water Calculator  

Current Drought Condition Reports: 

• Drought Preparation and Response
• West Coast Low Streamflow Report 
• West Coast Groundwater Level Conditions 
• BC Drought Information Portal (gov.bc.ca) 
• River Forecast Centre - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca) 
• British Columbia - Weather Conditions and Forecast by Locations - Environment Canada 

August 8 Farmer to Farmer Bees and Beef

Smith Lake Farm in Merville grows honeybees and steers. Join us to see how they are trying an innovative forage mix to feed both.

Hear results from a multi-year study on the diversity of bees present on Vancouver Island farms and learn how you can support a greater diversity of pollinators within your own farm!

North Saanich Flavour Trails Festival

Join us for the North Saanich Flavour Trails Festival on August 17th and 18th, 2024!

Saturday 17th August: Community Celebration

Kick off your weekend at the McTavish Academy for Arts, with our Flavour Trails Community Celebration. Start your morning with a delicious pancake breakfast. Then, join in the excitement with zucchini racing, experience the "Art of the Farm," witness farm demonstrations, groove to live music, and much more!

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th August

Hop on the Flavour Trails and embark on a self-guided adventure... tour over 15 trail stops, including local farms, orchards, distilleries, and more! Enjoy special Flavour Trail offers, demonstrations, samples, and most importantly, connect with North Saanich’s local food community!

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate local agriculture, food, and community spirit at the North Saanich Flavour Trails Festival. Mark your calendars for a weekend filled with flavor, fun, and festivities! Learn more at www.flavourtrails.com.

You’re invited to a Farm Tour and Potluck at The Plot Market Garden and City's Edge Farm in Victoria, B.C. If you’re curious about what land matching and sharing is all about, want to learn what it's like to apprentice on a farm or host farm apprentices – or just want to check out what your local farmers are up to – join us for the event. Come out to connect with other farmers and food lovers, share a meal and learn about farm start-up!

Whether you are curious about land leasing, growing mixed crops, farm start-up, apprenticing on a farm, farm marketing or all of the many offerings from Young Agrarians, there will be something for everyone! We can't wait to see you there.

DATE: Saturday, August 24, 2024 • 3 pm-7 pm

LOCATION: lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories.

The Plot Market Garden: 390 Brookleigh Rd, Victoria, BC V9E 2J2 (48°32’28.3″N 123°25’02.4″W) - Entrance on Oldfield Rd

City’s Edge Farm: 6458 Central Saanich Rd, Victoria, BC V8Z 5T7

At both farm locations, on-site parking is limited, so registration for this event is essential to make sure we can accommodate all attendees!
Please follow parking directions upon arrival at both sites! Please do not bring pets to the event. Kids are welcome!

CARPOOL INFO: If you are looking for or can offer a ride to or from the event, you can coordinate carpools through the Facebook event. If you have space to ferry folks between The Plot and City’s Edge, please make that known on the day of the event!

SCHEDULE (times are approximate):

• 3:00 – 3:45 Farm Tour at The Plot Market Garden
• 3:45 – 4:15 Drive from The Plot to City’s Edge
• 4:15 – 5:00 Farm Tour at City’s Edge
• 5:00 – 5:30 Intro Circle
• 5:30 – 7 Potluck Social

Full details and to register visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/farm-tour-and-potluck-at-the-plot-market-garden-and-citys-edge-farm-tickets-936782209807

23rd Annual Vancouver Island Feast of Fields

Time: Sunday, August 25th from 1-4 pm
This year, we are very excited to host our Vancouver Island 23rd Annual Feast of Fields at Heritage Acres.

Feast of Fields is a three-hour wandering gourmet harvest festival that highlights the connections between farmers and chefs, field and table, and farm folks and city folks. With a wine glass and napkin in hand, you'll stroll across a field, traveling from tent to tent, listening to live music, and tasting gourmet creations from some of the Capital Region's top chefs, bakers, food artisans, vintners, brewers, distillers and other beverage producers.

For tickets and to register, visit Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/23rd-annual-vancouver-island-feast-of-fields-tickets-942556039487

South Island Farmers' Institute Innovation Series

The Innovation Series features and celebrates farm innovation on the South Island.

On September 8th, David Spencer from Applied Bio-Nomics is offering a tour of their lab in North Saanich.

On September 22nd, David Chambers welcomes SIFI Members to Madrona Farm for a tour and potluck.

If you're interested please contact info@sifarmersinstitute.ca for details, and visit https://sifarmersinstitute.ca/

Please reach out if there are innovative places you think the community would enjoy or if you would like to welcome Farmers to visit. If you’re interested in joining the South Island Farmers Institute, sign up here: https://forms.gle/F2iuL1vrBenWGTvs6

These events are free, funded by the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program. Funding for the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program is provided by the governments of Canada and British Columbia, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

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

New Research Briefs from BC Food Web!

• “Don’t forget sunscreen: Protecting tree fruits during extreme heat events”, summarizes research on foliar protectants in the Okanagan Valley. Read the full brief here: https://bcfoodweb.ca/briefs/dont-forget-sunscreen-protecting-tree-fruits-during-extreme-heat-events

"Reducing post-harvest irrigation in sweet cherry production”, explores research on water use in 'Sweetheart' cherry orchards in the Okanagan Valley. Read the full brief here: https://bcfoodweb.ca/briefs/reducing-post-harvest-irrigation-sweet-cherry-production

Optimizing Water and Nutrient Management in Potatoes

Optimizing Water and Nutrient Management in Potatoes

BC growers are wanting more data and tools to increase efficiencies in potato production. Irrigation and nutrient management are key components for success. Input costs are reported to be at an all-time high and, more frequently, weather patterns are forcing industry to make more precise and more timely management decisions during the production cycle.

The second year of a multi-year project is underway to continue work that supports growers in adopting new nutrient and soil monitoring practices, and that promotes adoption of best management practices. Led by BC Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, on-farm demonstration trials will be conducted to evaluate fertilizer and irrigation programs in Pemberton, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Irrigation trials will look at practices that improve water use efficiency and increase crop performance and the capacity to thrive under a changing climate. Fertilizer trials will focus on improving nutrient uptake while minimizing effects on the environment by looking at optimizing fertilizer rate, source, placement and timing.

In addition to various farmer-led on-farm demonstration fertilizer and irrigation trials, the BC Potato Variety Trial will continue to be used to further evaluate varietal response to fertility programs. This will be done through tissue testing, soil sampling and multi-depth monitoring of soil moisture through the growing season.

To learn more about an irrigation trial using a solid set system, soil moisture sensors and real-time tissue analysis using Picketa Systems, field days in Delta and Pemberton are scheduled for August and September. Please keep an eye out for dates, places and registration information - to be arriving in your inbox soon - from the organizers including BC Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, E.S. Cropconsult Ltd. and BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

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

EFP Advisor time for BMP Applications

EFP Advisors can allot up to 5 hours per BMP application to support making a BMP application. The 5 hours can be used for:

• Assisting you in identifying which BMPs would be most suitable for this operation,
• Supporting you in the steps to design and implement the BMP,
• Providing details of the EFP workbook numbers that align with the corresponding BMP for your application

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.

Please visit the program website here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriservice-bc/crop-and-livestock-reporter-program for more information and to register as a Crop and Livestock Reporter.

Accommodation For Employees

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food would like to remind producers who have employees living on site, or are providing housing for employees off-site, that the accommodation must abide by the Industrial Camps Regulation. The B.C. Guidelines for Industrial Camps Regulation is a helpful resource that provides guidance, best practices, definitions, and interpretation of the Industrial Camps Regulation.

If you have any questions, please refer to the relevant Health Authority Contacts on the Government of British Columbia's Industrial Camp webpage

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

What to Do with Excess Manure?

In certain regions of British Columbia, it may be more difficult to effectively manage surplus manure for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: cost of land, transport costs to distant fields, and increasing quota to meet market demand.

The following factsheet provides guidance on dealing with surplus manure and covers a range of topics such as manure storage, nutrient management, and techniques for converting manure into valuable by-products.

Pasture Walks and Field Scouting

Whether you have forage fields or pastures, it is important to get out and walk the land to evaluate what is happening throughout the growing season. A quick look at soil health and moisture, along with plant vigour and productivity can help you evaluate what is going on and make decisions on the next steps. This article provides information on pasture walks and field scouting, along with some guiding questions for forecasting and looking ahead.

This is the second article in the monthly Livestock Drought Management Article Series. All articles can be found here: Drought articles - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

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.

Farming Fundamentals at VIU

This fall and winter VIU will be offering three new micro-credentials with an agricultural focus. Please visit viu.ca/agriculture or email pdtagriculture@viu.ca for more information and registration details.

Courses
Sustainable Soils Management
September – October 2024
Explore the science of soils. Develop an understanding of soil as a complex community of living beings. Learn about the physical, chemical, biological and social environments of soil.
Understand how communities of plants, animals and other biological beings in the soil can thrive or be regenerated with soil amendment practices.

Agro-ecological Systems Management
November – December 2024
Get an introduction to the art and the sciences that shape agro-ecological principles and practices. Explores ecological and farm biodiversity, climate-adaptation and ecosystem restoration strategies.
This course invites a holistic, Two-Eyed Seeing perspective on the ecological, social, and economic impacts and benefits of contemporary and traditional land management.

Organic Vegetable Seed Production
January-March 2025
Gain an understanding of the science of organic seed production for vegetables. Explore the current regulatory and policy environments in Canada that impact seed saving and seed sovereignty.
This national initiative is a refresh of the Organic Vegetable Seed Production course developed with Canadian Organic Growers and SeedChange Canada.

Water Management Resources

Learn more about financial assistance for agricultural producers impacted by drought on the Ministry’s Drought in Agriculture webpage. This page also contains key drought resources and information on livestock, crop, and irrigation management during drought. Links to information on flood forecasting, preparedness, and mitigation are found on our Flooding webpage.

Please visit the Ministry’s Drought in agriculture web page to access our library of water management resources for producers.

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

Spring is a great time to increase wildfire resiliency. Take action to reduce the impacts of wildfire on your agriculture business!

The updated Farm & Ranch FireSmart website includes:

• Farm & Ranch Wildfire Plan: Guide & Workbook
• Open Burning Practices for Farmers and Ranchers: Factsheet
• Farm & Ranch FireSmart Assessment: Information & Example Assessment

What’s your Wildfire Plan? Check out the updated website and get prepared.

BC Vegetable Marketing Commission

The BC Vegetable Marketing Commission oversees the regulation of vegetable production in British Columbia. Previously limited to southern regions, the Commission expanded its jurisdiction province-wide starting January 1, 2024. However, due to inquiries, they're deferring full implementation until January 1, 2026, to consult stakeholders and develop a plan. For more info, visit www.bcveg.com or contact the Commission's General Manager.

Contact BCVMC:
#207 - 15252 32nd Ave
Surrey BC
Canada, V3Z 0R7
Tel: (604) 542-9734
Toll Free in BC: 1-800-663-1461
E-mail: info@bcveg.com

Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program

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: Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (iafbc.ca).

Stream 1 Producer Projects
Stream 2 Community Projects 
Stream 3 Assessments, Engineering Studies or Plans
Stream 4 Strategic Projects

Drafts for applications opened June 27, 2024, application submissions are open July 25, 2024, to August 8, 2024. This application is approved based on eligibility of projects submitted between the dates mentioned above.

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! 

https://www.facebook.com/AgriService-BC-103287979487810