Resources
Following is a list of resources referenced in and related to the material presented at the 2022 Conference in February. We will be adding to this list, so bookmark this page as a reference.
Resources
1. Emergency Preparedness
Emergencies can be devastating to a farming operation. This Emergency Management Guide provides a resource for small mixed farmers in British Columbia to prepare for the worst while striving for the best. It provides information on various natural and human-caused threats to any operation, as well as an opportunity for you to tailor responses that your farm could follow in the event of an emergency.
AgriShield® is the first Canadian platform to offer a 360° vision to assess and manage risks on the farm. This platform guides farmers through 6 families of risks that they may encounter. It also helps to leverage existing risk management tools and professional services offered to farmers. With AgriShield®, producers are able to put an action plan in place to minimize threats and maximize opportunities for their business.
Open Burning Practices for Farmers and Ranchers
Farmers and ranchers sometimes face special challenges when using open burns to clear grass and stubble, debris piles and windrows. To help conduct your open burn safely, please follow the tips in this factsheet.
The Farm/Ranch Wildfire Plan Guide and Workbook
Producers face unique challenges from wildfire. This video demonstrates how to use the Farm/Ranch Wildfire Plan guide and workbook to develop a preparedness plan that’s customized for your specific operational needs.
Creating an Operations Map for your Wildfire Plan
This video explains how to find or create a suitable map. It also explains the types of features and information to document on a map that will share key information about a farm operation before and during a wildfire.
Wildfire Mitigation for the Farm and Ranch
Understand the three types of ignition that can cause wildfire to spread into and through the farm or ranch. This video recommends practical actions for reducing risk to farm and ranch assets.
Farm Flood Readiness Toolkit
The Farm Flood Readiness Toolkit is designed to assist agricultural producers to assess flood risk and asset vulnerabilities, and to identify suitable farm-level strategies for reducing potential impacts associated with flooding.
Livestock Sector Emergency Preparedness Tips for Flooding
If you operate a farm or ranch in British Columbia, you know about the many natural hazards that can affect your business. For example, if your operation lies within an area subject to flooding, your business could be severely affected in the short and long term. The BC Ministry of Agriculture has worked with the livestock industries to develop Emergency Management Guides for producers to be as prepared as possible for events such as floods.
Emergency Livestock Relocation
The B.C. government has developed Livestock Relocation Factsheets to assist and support producers in being as prepared as possible during emergencies. Information about EMBC’s Livestock Relocation Policy can be found through this link.
Climate & Agriculture Initiative BC
CAI supports the agriculture sector in British Columbia with adapting to climate change. We facilitate collaboration, deliver programs, develop tools and resources, and share information.
2. Mental Health & Wellbeing
Mental Health Resources for the Agriculture and Food Sector
An extensive list of phone numbers and other resources was compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Mental Health on the Farm
In this podcast episode, Dr. Briana Hagen speaks about tailoring mental health programs to the needs of farmers. She explains how mental health in farming is fundamentally different than in other sectors. And she points toward solutions and successful programs across the country including the program called, In the Know, which she helped developed at the University of Guelph.
Mental Health Dashboard
When you look at your internal dashboard, do you see all green lights? Are there any red lights tipping you toward overload and stress? Let’s all take care of ourselves so we can continue to do what we enjoy most.
National Survey of Farmer Mental Health
Conducted by Dr. Andria Jones-Britton in 2018 involving over 1,000 producers across Canada.
Healthy Minds, Healthy Farms
Includes a media kit, a report on mental health, and farm business management.
Emergency Response Model for Mental Health During Agricultural Crises
This document outlines evidence-informed recommendations for attending to farmer mental health during times of agricultural crisis (e.g. animal disease outbreak) or disaster (e.g. barn fire). These guidelines are intended to help agricultural organizations, communities, and government best support farmers, farm families, and agricultural communities as they work through agricultural crises and disasters
Do More Agriculture Foundation
Do More Ag is a not-for-profit organization focusing on mental health in agriculture across Canada.
Government of Canada Standing Select Committee Report
Released in 2019, the “Mental Health: A Priority for our Farmers” report outlines 10 recommendations for attention.
3. Rules & Regulations
Farmgate & Farmgate Plus Licenses
Farmgate and Farmgate Plus licensed facilities are available throughout the province. These licenses are intended to provide on-farm options for small producers who want to slaughter their own animals. Custom slaughter at Farmgate Plus facilities is also available to provide flexibility for nearby producers so long as the license holder complies with production limits on their license.
The completion of this course is mandatory and required for all new Farmgate and Farmgate Plus licence holders, as well as all existing licence holders who are applying for a new licence or renewing an existing one. New elements of the program include compulsory development of food safety and humane slaughter plans, as well as a set of standard operating procedures specific to each operation.
Water Licenses for Agriculture
Water licences are required to divert and use and/or store water from both surface and groundwater sources in British Columbia (B.C.) for many different purposes. This document focuses specifically on agricultural water use purposes and the associated licensing requirements.
Licensing Groundwater in BC Q & A
If you use water from a well for non-domestic use, you are now legally required to obtain a water licence. These Questions and Answers will clarify the new requirements and help you to determine if your water use requires a water licence and if so, what is needed to submit your application.
Licensing Groundwater in B.C. Questions and Answers on Livestock Watering and Dugouts
This is an Appendix to the main Licensing Groundwater in B.C. Questions and Answers document (above). Included are common questions and answers related to groundwater licensing for livestock watering and dugouts in B.C.
Groundwater Licence Application
This application is to apply for a water licence for your existing non-domestic groundwater use, meaning your water use began before March 1, 2016. You are legally required to apply by March 1, 2022, as per the Water Sustainability Act (WSA). If you submit by the deadline government will consider when you first used the water to establish your first-in-time, first-in-right (FITFIR) priority date.
BC Agriculture Water Calculator
The BC Agriculture Water Calculator helps agriculture water users in British Columbia estimate the annual irrigation or livestock water demand for a farm. Irrigation water demand estimates are made based on the geographic location of the farm, as well as its soil type, crop type and type of irrigation. Livestock water demand estimates are made for a given number and type of animals.
Premises ID: What is it and Why is it important?
What is it and why is it important? Premises Identification (ID), one of the pillars of animal traceability, links poultry and livestock, including bees, to geographic locations. The British Columbia (B.C.) Premises ID Program gathers information about the location of animals, the types of animals at each location and how to contact individuals responsible for those animals.
Premises ID: General Information
How to register for your Premises ID, how to update your Premises ID information and Frequently Asked Questions about Premises ID.
PigTRACE for Small-Scale Pig Producers
This information is intended to provide a quick summary of the main program elements of PigTRACE, an industry-led, pig traceability initiative designed to ensure protection, prosperity, and peace of mind in responding to animal health and food safety emergencies. The program is mandated by federal law, which came into effect on July 1, 2014 by an amendment to the federal Health of Animals Regulations.
4. Funding
Investment Agriculture Foundation
IAF delivers a variety of funding programs supporting BC’s agriculture and agrifood sector. Check back regularly for funding program updates. Sign up for IAFBC newsletters to receive IAF’s monthly newsletter Growing Today detailing all current and upcoming programs, IAF news and other updates.
The On-Farm Food Safety (OFFS) Program provides up to $10,000 in funding to a diverse range of eligible BC on-farm businesses such as farmers, producers, packers, and ranchers, leading toward the implementation of food safety activities.
This 5-year program provides up to $20,000 in funding to BC food and beverage manufacturing facilities, leading toward the implementation of activities which directly encourage stronger food safety practices.
The goal of this funding is to increase the adoption of traceability systems, practices, technologies and infrastructure across the food and seafood sectors, enabling businesses to meet existing and emerging market and regulatory requirements.
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program supports producers and food processors through three business planning streams:
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- Business Plan Coaching – Application intake is closed and will re-open in Spring 2022
- Business Disaster Recovery Planning – Application intake is closed and will re-open in Spring 2022
- Specialized Business Planning – Application intake is closed and will re-open in Spring 2022
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The Buy BC Partnership Program provides cost-shared funding and a recognizable Buy BC logo to help BC’s agrifood and seafood sector market their products and increase sales within BC.
The B.C. Lean for Food Processors Program supports specialized business skill development to enable processors to make more informed decisions, optimize operating procedures, improve production capacity, labour productivity and strengthen their business.
Farmers who have an Environmental Farm Plan are serious about learning how to reduce agriculture’s impact on the environment. Many Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) participants enjoy increased efficiency, profitability and new customers as a result of increased environmental sustainability. What opportunities exist on your farm?
5. Rotational Grazing Resources
Books
How to Not go Broke Ranching: Things I Learned the Hard Way in Fifty Years of Ranching- Walt Davis
Kick the Hay Habit: A Practical Guide to Year-Around Grazing – Jim Gerrish
Management-Intensive Grazing: The Grassroots of Grass Farming – Jim Gerrish
Pasture Profits with Stocker Cattle – Allan Nation
Paddock Shift: Changing Views on Grassland Farming – Allan Nation
Dirt to Soil: One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture – Gabe Brown
Growing a Revolution: Bringing our Soil Back to Life – David R. Montgomery
Videos
Fencing Knot: End, or Termination Knot
Fundamentals of Good Grounding
How to Build and Electric Fence
Building Braces & Connecting Fence Wires & Tensioning
Ground Rods, Fault Finders & Fence Alerts
Choosing Electric Fence Materials
What you Need to Know About Earthing (Grounding)
Checking your Electric Fence System
Greg Judy’s ATV Setup for Temporary Fencing
Gallagher Smart Fence Demonstration
Energizers for Poultry Netting
Poultry Netting Setup and Takedown
Continuing Education
FaRM – Farm Resilience Mentorship Program
Podcasts
Websites & Online Publications
BC Farm Practices & Climate Change Adaptation: Management-Intensive Grazing
BC Agricultural Fencing Handbook
National Center for Appropriate Technology
Organizations
American Pastured Poultry Producers Association