September 27 Ministry of Agriculture Update

Opportunities:

Webinars

Are you looking for additional learning opportunities this winter? If so, you might be interested in checking out the free webinars provided by The Beef Cattle Research Council. There are 8 webinars planned throughout the winter, as well as a back catalogue of past webinars that can be viewed at any time.

• For information and to register for the upcoming 2019/2020 webinars visit: http://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/registration-open-for-the-2019-2020-bcrc-webinar-series/
• To see the back catalogue of available webinars visit: http://www.beefresearch.ca/resources/webinars.cfm

AgriService BC also holds an ongoing webinar series on a diverse range of topics.

• Details of upcoming webinars and links to watch previous webinars can be found at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriservice-bc/webinars

• Links to some other agriculture related webinar libraries can be found at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriservice-bc/webinars/other-webinar-libraries

Agriculture Canada Agroclimate Impact Reporter
Did you know that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada solicits feedback through a monthly survey about the impacts of weather on your farming operations? It’s used to help make recommendations for Livestock Tax Deferral, the Canadian Drought Monitor, and updates to the Minister of Agriculture? The September survey is closing soon but can be accessed here. You can also subscribe to receive email reminders about the surveys at the bottom of that page. An additional survey will be posted in the last week of October to close out the 2019 growing season.

If you have any questions or comments about the survey, please direct communication to aafc.droughtwatch-guetterlasecheresse.aac@canada.ca and you will receive a response within two business days.

FCC 4-H Club Fund
4-H Canada helps young Canadians to “Learn To Do By Doing” in a safe, inclusive and fun environment. The FCC 4-H Club Fund provides up to $500 each for 4-H clubs, district and regions across Canada to assist with costs associated with developing existing programs and activities. Applications are open from August 1^st to October 31^st, 2019. To apply, visit the Program Website.

Events:

Dam Safety Management Workshop

• October 1^st 9 am to 3 pm in Fort St. John, BC (Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Center 11308 Alaska Rd, Fort St. John, BC)
• Please note that the planned session in Dawson Creek on October 3^rd has been cancelled.
• This workshop is being offered to help agricultural producers understand the regulations that govern dams in BC. The workshop will provide guidance, training, and tools about how to inspect, manage, and maintain water holding structures on their property. The workshop may provide valuable guidance to anyone who is involved with dams or dugouts and help producers plan their work regarding dams or dugouts in alignment with the current regulations. You do not need to be the owner of a registered dam to attend.

• Contact Kevin Chan at 2.Chan@gov.bc.ca or 778-698-9091 to register. There is no cost to attend and lunch and resource materials will be provided.

Supporting BC Farmers – ALR and ALC Revitalization Engagement

• October 2^nd 10 am to 2:30 pm in Dawson Creek, BC (Encana Events Center, 1-300, HWY 2, Dawson Creek, BC)
• The event will look to gather insight an opinions on how to: support farmers and ranchers in the ALR to expand and diversify their businesses, help new or young farmers become established on the land and in business and, ensure there is flexibility for residential options while prioritizing agriculture in the ALR.

• To register to attend please go to: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/supportingfarmers/register-for-a-community-meeting/

Land Linking Workshop

• October 20^th in Prince George, BC (NUSC Event Space, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC)
• The Land Linking Program is expanding into Central and Northern BC. This will be the closest opportunity to attend a land linking workshop for Peace area residents in 2019.
• The Young Agrarians are looking to bring together landholders and farmers seeking land to network, explore possible land matches, and learn from land access experts and farmers and land owners who’ve already been matched.
• Registration is requested. Registration and other event information can be found at: https://youngagrarians.org/pglandlink/

Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing

• 3 day conference in Edmonton, December 10, 11 and 12.
• Many diverse topics and speakers as well as a tradeshow.
• https://www.absoilgrazing.com/

Information:

Production Insurance

• Forage producers should have received a declaration of production (DOP) for their forage fields and the grain DOP’s should be on their way!  Please fill out this information once you have completed harvest and get back to the office.  You can e-mail, fax, drop off or mail in that information.
• Just a reminder that clients need to submit a Notice of Loss PRIOR to harvest if they have suffered an insurable peril. This will enable time for staff and adjusters to properly access the loss and ensure timely settlement.
• We would like to wish everyone a safe harvest!

Province seeking feedback on growing farming, protecting farmland

British Columbians are encouraged to share their insights and opinions on how to best address the following challenges:

• Supporting farmers and ranchers in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to expand and diversify their businesses;
• Helping new or young farmers become established on the land and in business; and
• Ensuring there is flexibility for residential options, while prioritizing agriculture in the ALR.

Submit online feedback here.

The BC Premises ID Program is currently seeking input from BC residents on a proposed new premises ID regulation.

• Background Information: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/premises-id
• BC residents are invited to fill out the online survey. The survey will be open until October 11, 2019. Link to Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZJCFRKS

Agricultural Environmental Management Code of Practice

• On February 28, 2019, the Code of Practice for Agricultural Environmental Management replaced the Agricultural Waste Control Regulation (AWCR). BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) has partnered with the Province of BC to assist communicating the key changes related to AEMCoP.
• There are new tools already developed to support implementation with more to come. At this time, check out BCAC AEMCoP Website for commodity specific information for Peace Region Field Crops and Cattle Operations to find out how they apply to your operation.

Programs:

The Buy BC Partnership Program provides cost-shared funding and a recognizable Buy BC logo to help B.C.’s agri-food and seafood sector market their products and increase sales within B.C. For additional details regarding the program please visit https://iafbc.ca/buy-bc/

The Livestock Tag Reader Rebate Program provides a rebate to livestock operators who purchase and install approved tag readers. For more information please visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/livestock-tag-reader-rebate

Environmental Farm Pan

Farmers who have an Environmental Farm Plan are serious about learning how to reduce agriculture’s impact on the environment. Producers with an approved Environmental Farm Plan are eligible to apply for cost-shared funding to improve their farm. Many Environmental Farm Plan participants enjoy increased efficiency, profitability and new customers as a result of increased environmental sustainability. What opportunities exist on your farm? Call 1-866-522-3447 to book your confidential appointment or find our more information here.

The Knowledge Transfer Events Program supports industry activities that contribute to and improve the competitiveness, innovation and resilience of B.C.’s agriculture and agri-foods sector. The funding facilitates knowledge and technical transfer to strategically support B.C.’s producers and processors to innovate and adapt to changing environmental, production, and market conditions. Eligible applicants can access up to $5,000 for knowledge transfer events – funds are running out, contact Aaron or Lori to get your application in ASAP! Our contact information is in the Ministry of Agriculture Staff table below.

Got an agriculture related event you want others to know about?  Let us know!

Aaron Mackay, B.Sc. P.Ag.   

Resource Development Agrologist |BC Ministry of Agriculture

10043 – 100^th Street | Fort St John, BC V1J 3Y5

Phone: 250-787-3214 | Cell: 250-224-6053 | Aaron.Mackay@gov.bc.ca

www.gov.bc.ca/agriservicebc