Orchardist Wins Award of Excellence for Agricultural Innovation

Roger Bailey of Kalwood Farms in Oyama, B.C. is this year’s recipient of the Award of Excellence for Agricultural Innovation. Bailey was recognized for his mobile work platform that creates safer and more efficient working conditions in orchards.

Using recycled Japanese rice harvesters, Bailey adapted the design for use in orchards. The resulting mobile work platform includes a platform system, safety railings and a hydraulic forklift, and runs on a small diesel engine. The platform can carry two workers at a time and is used for pruning, thinning and picking.

Without the need for ladders, Bailey’s mobile work platform helps reduce worker fatigue and injury rates. The platform also increases labour productivity and is more fuel-efficient than conventional machinery used to transport harvest bins, creating significant cost savings for farmers.

The IAF Award of Excellence for Innovation in Agriculture and Agri-Food celebrates ideas, products, projects and programs generated by the agriculture and agri-food industry that deliver economic, environmental or social benefits to British Columbia. This year’s award was announced on January 27 at the BC Agriculture Council’s Agri-Food Industry Gala in Abbotsford.

Upcoming Webinars from Managing Excellence in Agriculture Conference

Live Agriwebinar sessions from the 2010 Managing Excellence in Agriculture Conference in Saskatoon.

February 3 to 5, 2010

Wednesday evening, February 3rd starting at 7:30 pm EST: opening remarks and presentation from keynote speaker Dr. Lowell Catlett, "Smart is Beautiful - 21st Century Agriculture's Revolution"

Thursday morning, February 4th starting at 9:40 am EST: presentation by Rob Napier, "No Straight Road: how can family farm businesses seize the opportunities from volatility and change?"

Thursday afternoon, February 4th starting at 3:00 pm EST: presentation by Bruce Vincent, "Will Agriculture have the Energy to Embrace the Future?"

Friday afternoon, February 5th starting at 2:30 pm EST, presentation by Bano Mehdi: "How climate change will affect how you, your children, and your grandchildren will manage your farm"

Timing of each live session might differ as delays could occur during the conference.

BC Berry Grower Good Agricultural Practices Resources

BC Berry Grower Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Resources Available

The Raspberry Industry Development Council, BC Blueberry Council, and the Fraser Valley Strawberry Growers Association, have taken a proactive role in working with the industry to continue to provide our customers with high quality and safe berries.

Produce related food safety risks may be influenced by the physical, chemical and or microbial conditions under which the produce is grown, harvested, stored, transported or handled by the end user. All risks have the potential to cause food-borne illness.

To minimize the risk of contamination, BC berry growers are working to implement good agricultural practices (GAPs) on the farm. The key areas of focus for BC berry growers include:

* Water Quality
* Good Picking Practices
* Good Sanitation Practices
* Adjacent Land Use
* Chemical Application
* Manure Use

This project is intended to introduce growers to GAPs and provide them with some tools to help implement GAPs. The tools available to growers include fact sheets, worker training materials, checklists and record keeping forms.

For more information visit the BC Raspberry Growers Website.

Composting Workshop - Feb 13

Mario Lanthier's Composting Workshop
Saturday February 13, 2010
Okanagan College, Penticton.

A full day workshop on preparation of high quality compost.

Proper manipulation of organic matter can make plants healthier. The workshop will
include ideas and recipes you can implement immediately.

Topics covered will include preparation and testing of compost, composts
suppressive of plant diseases, and use of commercial microbial inoculants
such as mycorrhizal fungi.

This intensive 1-day seminar will be of interest to organic growers,
landscapers and persons working in horticulture.

For more information and to register, contact Okanagan College in Penticton:

http://webapps-1.okanagan.bc.ca/ok/CSReg/default.aspx (search by "CRN #80056")

Permaculture Fruit Farming Seminar, Mar 3

The Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada presents,

Permaculture Fruit Farming: Establishing a Profitable Orchard
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Riverview Room, Jenkins Hall, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro NS

An overview of how to plan, establish and propagate a profitable fruit orchard

Presenters: Green Barn Nursery www.greenbarnnursery.ca

Learn about: New, exciting varieties of plants, plant hardiness, pest and disease
resistance, planting, propagating, growing, picking, maintaining and SELLING.

Cost: $75.00 – Lunch included
Payment at door, cash or cheque
Students pay $20.00 Lunch NOT included

For more information contact: Margaret Savard, OACC
msavard@nsac.ca, 902-893-7256 www.oacc.info

Opportunities in Agroforestry Webinar, Feb 16

Tuesday, February 16, 2010
7:00-8:30 p.m.

"Opportunities in Agroforestry" with Tom Wahl. Tom Wahl will overview the potential for various high value tree crops, including cultural practices, production, prices, markets, pests and diseases. Tree fruits to discuss include chestnut, persimmon, heartnut, paw paw and more. Tom and his wife Kathy have grown high value tree crops since 1986 and also operate a small tree nursery.

For more information visit the Practical Farmers website.

Farmers warned off soil carbon markets

"Farmers should be extremely cautious about entering any market involving soil carbon, says a 2009 Nuffield scholar: the liabilities could easily outweigh any financial advantage."

"Agroforestry might offer more certain returns, but that too has to be proven over the long term."

Read the full article at the Stock and Land website.

Okanagan Kootenay Cherry Growers Association Research Review and AGM

February 8 and 9, 2010
Penticton Lakeside Resort, Penticton, BC

Join the Okanagan-Kootenay Cherry Growers for a review of the 2009 research projects and presentations for consideration of 2010 research funding, followed by their AGM and education program.

For more information contact Christine Dendy at 250-860-3537, email christine@dendy.ca
or visitwww.bccherry.com

121st Annual BC Fruit Growers' Association Convention

121st Annual BC Fruit Growers' Association Convention & AGM – “Pursuing Sustainability”

January 29 - 30, 2010
Coast Capri, Kelowna, BC

Join the BC Fruit Growers' Association for policy discussion, resolutions, and the election of its Executive.

For more information contact Josee Larocque at 250-762-5226, ext 24 or email: glucas@bcfga.com

Visit the BCFG website at www.bcfga.com

How To Make a Forest Garden

In a three part posting at Future Forward.

"Since the beginning of mankind, various groups of people have purposely maintained forests and woodland areas, benefiting from the food, fuel, fibers, medicine and other resources they provide. These peoples depended on the forests for their very lives. Today we know that forests also provide numerous ecological services upon which all life on Earth depends."

"The advantages of forest gardening includes its extreme productivity, relatively low maintenance requirements, and the fact that it does not require inputs of artificial fertilizers, pesticides or other chemicals. Forest gardening can be done by anyone with even a small plot of land."

Read the full postings at the Future Forward blog.

Nanaimo Maple Sugar Festival

The 10th Annual Maple Sugar Festival du Sucre d'Érable
February 19 to 21, 2010

All weekend activities held at Nanaimo’s Beban Park located at 2300 Bowen Rd in Nanaimo

In February of every year, Nanaimo pulsates with the rhythm of the Maple Sugar Festival du Sucre d'Érable. This festival is indeed one-of-a-kind: a bilingual event inspired by eastern Canada's sugar shack traditions. Over the course of 2-1/2 days, festivities include a variety of activities to delight visitors: educational presentations, exciting performances by a diverse range of entertainers - without forgetting authentic, traditional French Canadian food fare, notably the decadently sweet sugar toffy on snow. Come to Nanaimo and discover our Festival's truly special ambiance, our joie de vivre, and our warm hospitality.

For more information visit the festival website.

Certified Organic Conference

Closing the Loop
COABC's 2010 Conference

Friday March 5 to Sunday March 7, 2010
Executive Inn, Kamloops, BC

Competition, Sustainability, Viability - How to Organic Producers Meet All Three Demands?

Conference Registration: Online at www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca or call 250-260-4429

2010 BC Maple Syrup Contest

Are you a maple tapper? Enter your syrup in the competition at the Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival! Judging is performed by local celebrity chefs and the award ceremony takes place during the festival.

11 ribbons are awarded in the following categories:

Judges' Choice

Best in Show

Light Syrup
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place

Medium Syrup
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place

Dark Syrup
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place

How to Enter

All entries must be received at the BC Forest Discovery Centre by 11:00 am on Saturday, January 30th. All entries must be bottled in Royale 125 ml bottles (included in entry fee, however, there is an additional fee for shipping and handling). Download the entry form here

Judging Criteria
1. Colour maximum 5 points
2. Clarity 5
3. Flavour and aroma 10
4. Sugar content 5
5. Freedom from foreign material 15
6. Freedom from air bubbles either in suspension or as froth 15
7. Freedom from sediment 15
TOTAL MAXIMUM POINTS 70

Classifications
Category 1 Light (light maple flavour)
1. Must not ferment
2. Must have clear and uniform colour
3. Its colour grade must be extra light, light or medium
4. Must have a maple flavour that is typical of its colour grade and be free of any unpleasant odors or flavours

Category 2 Medium (traditional maple flavour)
1. Must not ferment
2. Must have clear and uniform colour
3. Its colour grade must be medium
4. Must have a maple flavour that is typical of its colour grade and be free of any unpleasant odors or flavours

Category 3 Dark (Strong maple flavour)
1. Must not ferment
2. Must have clear and uniform colour
3. Its colour grade must be dark
4. Must have a maple flavour that is typical of its colour grade and be free of any unpleasant odors or flavours, but must contain traces of caramel, plant bud or sap flavours

For more information visit the BC Forest Discovery Centre website

'From Our Atlantic Fields and Forests' - A Forum on NTFPs

GROWING YOUR NTFP BUSINESS IN ATLANTIC CANADA

Best Western Glengarry Truro NS
February 18 & 19, 2010

Presentations Include:
Identifying the right marketing tools for your customers
How to develop and grow your business
What are successful NTFP’s doing?
What are the benefits of using a cooperative approach
within the NTFP sector?
What would a cooperative NTFP Network look like?
What are the next steps?

More information and registration details will be available soon through
Nova Forest Alliance www.novaforestalliance.com

“Fresh Voices” Contest 2010

The aim of the “Fresh Voices” contest is to solicit new ideas to help the Certified Organic Associations of BC meet its mandate of “a strong and sustainable community, serving the evolving needs of the sector and the public for generations to come.”

Submission should address ideas and experiences of creating, maintaining and enhancing farm fertility over the long term.

The top three winners will be invited to present their entry at the Closing Plenary Session of the 2010 COABC conference, to be held March 5-7, 2010 in Kamloops, BC.

Cash prizes will of $500, $300, $200 will be awarded to the top 3 entries respectively.

Contest Entries:

Entries should be self contained and self explanatory and will be accepted in the following categories:

1 Text: Essays, narratives, poems, or other text submissions of 750 words or less submitted by mail or by email to extension@certifiedorganic.bc.ca in a Microsoft Word or PDF document.

2 Audio/Video: Audio or video submissions should be between 5 and 10 minutes and submitted on CD, or DVD media (CD preferred). All audio/video entries must be accompanied by a transcript and a signed copyright and subject-release form for all individuals portrayed. Audio and video submitted by sending a link to extension@certifiedorganic.bc.ca Digital files should be: Windows Media Player compatible. No larger than 100 MB. A minimum resolution of 720 by 480 pixels

The deadline for entries is 4 pm Jan 31, 2010. Winners announced February 12th, 2010.

Complete contest details online at www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/infonews/conference2010/freshvoices.php.

Agroforestry Workshop at the MOSES Conference

Woody Crops & Agroforestry Principles & Practices
Friday February 26, 2010 - 2:00pm
La Crosse, Wisconsin

Join New Forest Farm and Forest Agriculture Enterprises' Mark Shepard for a discussion of simple agroforestry techniques that will allow you to begin planting your perennial food-forest system while cash-flowing and maintaining the rest of your farming operation.

Part of the MOSES Organic Farming Conference,
February 25-27, in La Crosse, WI.

The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES,) is an education-outreach organization working to promote sustainable and organic agriculture. MOSES serves farmers striving to produce high-quality, healthful food using organic and sustainable techniques. These farmers produce more than just food: they support thriving ecosystems and vibrant rural communities.

For More Information Visit www.mosesorganic.org/conference.html

Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival 2010

February 6, 2010
Duncan, BC

The BC Forest Discovery Centre in Duncan and the Vancouver Island Sapsuckers are pleased to host a fun-filled day of tapping, syrup making, syrup tasting, great music and tasty treats. The festival opens Friday, February 5, 2009 with programs for elementry school classes and is open to the public on Saturday, February 6, 2010.

Visitors are invited to participate in mini-workshops facilitated by experienced maple syrup producers, including tapping demonstrations, presentations, and displays. This year's event features cooking with local maple syrup and maple food will be available. The festival features a maple syrup competition with judging by celebrity chefs from Vancouver Island. The evaporator will be running all day so visitors can savour the warm maple aroma of sap and see how syrup is made.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Ed Peekeekoot from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm and the museum's train will be running from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. The Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival is unique on Vancouver Island. This event is about the local maple syrup industry and is the only festival where visitors can find out how local maple syrup is made. You will leave the event ready to tap your own backyard trees!

A special admission rate of $5 for everyone is offered, and includes train rides and a taste of local maple syrup provided by the Sapsuckers, a group of local maple syrup producers. Members may use their season's pass.

For more information visit www.forestmuseum.com

Maple Sugaring Workshop - Jan 16

Maple Sugaring Workshop
January 16, 2010
Ladysmith

Learn how to tap and make syrup from Vancouver Island's native maple trees. The Workshop includes a classroom session with a PowerPoint presentation, then the group moves outside for a hands-on tapping demonstration. We'll finish up at the Backlund's evaporator to smell and taste maple syrup being made.

Sponsored by The Land Conservancy - Wildwood.

For registration, contact Jay Rastogi at 250-816-1816 or jay@conservancy.bc.ca

Email blmaple@shaw.ca for more information.

BC Natural Resource Forum

Natural Resources in the New Low Carbon Economy
January 13 & 14, 2010
Prince George Civic Centre, Prince George, BC

Presentations and Keynotes including:
"Investing in BC's Forest Industry"
"Carbon Offsets"
"Bioenergy"

For more information visit the Forum Website

Center for Agroforestry to stream symposium online Jan 6

The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry will offer a live video stream of its inaugural Agroforestry Research Symposium, Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 9 a.m. (local)

The keynote speaker will be Andy Mason, interim director of the USDA National Agroforestry Center, who will speak on “Agroforestry in America: New opportunities for a sustainable future.”

To view the live stream of the event, go to www.more.net/content/streamed-events. After the event, a recording of the symposium will be available on the UMCA’s Web site at www.centerforagroforestry.org.