Meat Up Monday: Town Hall & Winter Social
Join us online on December 16th at 7pm to share your wins, challenges, ideas, and feedback. Members of the SSMPA team will be present to listen, share and respond. We are excited to discuss all that's in store for 2025 and look forward to seeing you!
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/meat-up-mondays-tickets-1067792850159?aff=oddtdtcreator
Livestock Drought Management Workshop - Falkland
Available to all livestock producers, the sessions will focus on working with producers to utilize existing resources to plan and make business, forage management and animal nutrition decisions related to their operations. Free workshops include interactive face to face conversations and facilitated group discussions with Professional Agrologists. Includes lunch.
Register here!
Livestock Drought Management Workshop - Lumby
Available to all livestock producers, the sessions will focus on working with producers to utilize existing resources to plan and make business, forage management and animal nutrition decisions related to their operations. Free workshops include interactive face to face conversations and facilitated group discussions with Professional Agrologists. Includes dinner.
Register here!
Livestock Drought Management Workshops -Barnhartvale
Available to all livestock producers, the sessions will focus on working with producers to utilize existing resources to plan and make business, forage management and animal nutrition decisions related to their operations. Free workshops include interactive face to face conversations and facilitated group discussions with Professional Agrologists.
Register here!
Our Future in Agriculture
Our Future in Agriculture
Come join us at Thompson Rivers University - Williams Lake Campus for an exciting event all about the Future of agriculture! Whether you're a seasoned farmer, a curious student, or just someone interested in where your food comes from, this event is perfect for you. Learn about the latest technologies, sustainability practices, and career opportunities in the agricultural industry. Network with like-minded individuals and experts in the field. Don't miss out on this chance to explore the endless possibilities in agriculture!
How to Start Farming: An Introductory Course for the Farm Curious
Are you curious about farming? Do you want to explore whether farming is right for you, learn how to build community by growing food, and discover tangible ways to positively impact the ecosystems around you? If so, join Young Agrarians for their How to Start Farming course, starting on Thursday, November 7th.
This 4-week program is open to anyone interested in farming—no prior experience required! It’s also a great opportunity for those new to Canada to learn the basics of farming in northern climates.
Learn more and register on their website: https://youngagrarians.org/courses/how-to-start-farming/
Land & Water Working Together
You’re invited to Land and Water: Working Together in Langley, BC on November 2! Join in on a day of farm-focused programming, hosted by Young Agrarians and Langley Sustainable Agriculture Foundation. You will spend the day networking and talking about land access and sustainable agricultural water management with farmers and landholders in your region.
Please feel free to join for the whole day, or just the morning or afternoon. You will come away from this event with new connections and perhaps some inspiration for your own sustainable projects!
Learn more and register here:
https://youngagrarians.org/nov-2-2024-langley-bc-land-linking-workshop/
Land Linking Workshop in Kelowna BC
GOT LAND? WANT LAND? Are you a landholder looking for farmers? Are you a farmer looking for land? Young Agrarians is hosting a Land Linking Workshop in Kelowna, BC on October 27!
Land Linking Workshops bring together land seekers and landholders to network, explore possible land matches and learn how to navigate land sharing and lease agreements. You may spark connections that will lead to matches, leases and so much more!
Learn more and register here:
https://youngagrarians.org/oct-27-2024-kelowna-bc-land-linking-workshop/
Soil Health Field Day
Welcome to our Soil Health Field Day. Join us for a fun and educational morning focused on learning about soil health, practices that improve soil health, and field measurements you can take to gain some perspective on the health of your soils! Learn about the experiences of a local rancher implementing rotational grazing and cover cropping. Soils and forage experts will show simple field techniques to start monitoring the health of your soils. See you there!
Soil Health Field Day - Bale Grazing
This field day will start with 'Soils 101' - a fun, interactive review of the basic concepts of soils and how soil health is affected by compaction. Next, we will talk with local rancher about his bale grazing operation. The day will wrap up with a free lunch at the Alexandria Cafe!
BC Regional Gathering - Kootenays
On October 18th, join local producers and industry experts in Creston for a hands-on exploration of the benefits of cover cropping and rotational grazing! Brought to you in collaboration with Organic BC, the Small Scale Meat Producers Association, and Kootenay & Boundary Farm Advisors.
During this event:
Molly Thurston and Greg Evans of Kokanee Fruit Company will guide you through their mixed orchard and grazing operation, highlighting their cover cropping and grazing techniques used to prepare new orchard plantings. And, they will demo their no-till seeder!
Jeff Nimmo, regional agrologist from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, will join Molly, also an agrologist, to analyze the soil profiles to assess the impact of these practices.
Julia Smith from the Small Scale Meat Producers Association will give a practical fencing demo for rotational grazing and a tour of their mobile slaughter trailer.
Lunch will be provided, and the day will wrap up with an optional social gathering at Wild North Brewing (at your cost).
This event is free and open to anyone interested, but registration is required. Save your spot at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1029170936977
Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) – On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF).
#AgClimateSolutions
Livestock Management Field Day- Pasture Health & Animal Nutrition
Managing pasture health and animal nutrition. While there will be a focus on equines, all are welcome.
BC Regional Gathering: Northwest Region Closed Loop Farming Intentional Rotational Grazing and Vegetable Integration True North Acres/Happy Pig Farm, Telkwa BC
On October 6, join Organic BC, the Smithers Farmers’ Institute and local producers in Telkwa, BC for a day of on-farm fun and learning! Don’t miss:
A tour of True North Acres, a small-scale, mixed operation farm incorporating rotational grazing of sheep, pigs, and chickens, alongside their vegetable market garden and honey bee operation. They’ll highlight their closed-loop principles (using their own on-farm inputs and little else), cover cropping program, intensive rotational grazing, no-till practices and more–and of course the bees!
A hands-on session with Jo Tobias of RootShoot Soils. Jo is a regenerative soils & living compost specialist who will outline the fascinating world of soil microorganisms and their critical roles in soil health and plant development. She will also test True North’s compost and compost teas and show you how to farm these wonderful microbes and maximize their potential.
Lunch at Happy Pig Organic Farm. Enjoy lunch (provided) and social time at Happy Pig’s on-farm food truck.
The Ewesful Farmer
Registration deadline is SEPTEMBER 15th!
2024 BC SHEEP FEDERATION AGM & CONFERENCE
REGISTRATION includes all events, 3 coffee breaks, 2 lunches, BANQUET PLUS BCSF dues for 2024-2025
ONLINE REGISTRATION available at www.lmspa.ca or www.bcsheepfed.com
ONLINE PAYMENT by eTransfer available at sheepproducers@gmail.com
Make cheques payable to LMSPA and mail to PO Box 10009, RPO Otter Co-op, Langley, BC V4W 3Z5
2024 PNW Section of the Society for Range Management Fall Tour
The BC Chapter presents... "Assessing the Impact, Envisioning the Future", the 2024 PNW Section of the Society for Range Management fall tour. The tour will be hosted in Merritt, BC, from October 1st to 3rd, 2024. We have some excellent topics and projects lined up, including grassland assessment training, discussions around cumulative effects on grasslands, and innovative ranching practices.
BC Ag Expo
British Columbia Agricultural Exposition Society
The BC Agricultural Exposition Society’s annual Expo highlights the benefits of supporting and promoting agriculture through our youth. Over 225 dedicated 4-H youth will gather to celebrate their hard work and dedication to their projects.
Included with numerous entertaining and educational events are a variety of interesting displays and vendors. Our live auction also gives you the opportunity to take home some top quality meat from the beef, sheep and goat projects, and some beautiful creations from quilting to photography.
Okanagan Feast of Fields
Join us for our 2024 Okanagan Feast of Fields
Our 14th Annual Okanagan Feast of Fields will be hosted at Niche Wine Co. in West Kelowna on Sunday, September 15th.
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, travelling from tent to tent, listening to live music, and tasting gourmet creations from some of the Okanagan’s top chefs, bakers, food artisans, vintners, brewers, distillers and other beverage producers. Your ticket price covers all food and beverages.
Pastured Pigs & Poultry at Whiskey Creek Ranch
Join us at Whiskey Creek Ranch in Rose Prairie BC on September 14th to learn about Pastured Pigs and Poultry, organic farming, Rovabarns and so much more!
Pastured Pig & Poultry Production on the Small-Scale Farm
Join us on September 8th in Armstrong BC, for a fun and informative field day all about raising pigs and poultry on pasture.
Vancouver Island Feast of Fields
Our 23rd Annual Vancouver Island Feast of Fields will be hosted at Heritage Acres in Saanichton on Sunday, August 25th.
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, travelling from tent to tent, listening to live music, and tasting gourmet creations from some of Vancouver Island’s top chefs, bakers, food artisans, vintners, brewers, distillers and other beverage producers. Your ticket price covers all food and beverage.
Pastured Pig & Poultry Production on the Small-Scale Farm
Join us on July 16th at Fresh Valley Farms for a fun and informative field day!
When: Tuesday, July 16th, 2024
9:00am - 5:00pm
Where: 1476 Mountain View Road, Armstrong, BC
Join us at Fresh Valley Farms for a fun and informative workshop/field day in Armstrong BC. We’ll consider how the principles of rotational grazing, regenerative agriculture and good biosecurity can be applied when raising pigs and poultry in pasture-based settings. Innovative tools and technologies are making it easier than ever to implement successful grazing management plans and we will explore some of these exciting options as well as funding opportunities available to help implement these beneficial management practices.
What we'll cover...
Moving pigs & poultry in a rotational grazing system
Fencing
Managing feed & water
Housing infrastructure
Cover crops
Health considerations
Predation
Whether you’re new to farming, or looking to learn from others in the community, join us for an eventful day of learning and networking.
Lunch will be available on-site through pre-order - a delicious farm-to-table spread of FVF ham and egg salad sandwiches, local salad, as well as drink and light snack for $25. Please send e-transfers to info@smallscalemeat.ca with your first and last name in the memo. Orders must be received by end of day Friday, July 12. Please send an email to info@smallscalemeat.ca with any questions.
Please ensure clothing and footwear is clean and has been disinfected prior to attending.
Please share widely! We hope to see you there! Register now