We Are Here To Help
Kootenay Farmer is a joint initiative of the Kootenay & Boundary Farm Advisors and the Basin Business Advisors Agriculture program – two initiatives to grow and support the agriculture sector in the Kootenay & Boundary regions.
Kootenay Farmer is a joint initiative of the Kootenay & Boundary Farm Advisors and the Basin Business Advisors Agriculture program – two initiatives to grow and support the agriculture sector in the Kootenay & Boundary regions.
HOW WE CAN HELP..
Kootenay & Boundary Farm Advisors (KBFA) provides support with the technical side of farming. Producers have access to:
- Technical production support from independent consultants and industry experts.
- Educational events to help you learn, connect and grow ideas.
Basin Business Advisors Agriculture Specialist provides one-on-one support to the business side of farming including:
- Financial analysis and business viability
- Production costing
- Market research
- Succession planning
Kootenay & Boundary Farm Advisors Celebrates Successful First Year
Brittny Anderson Joins Young Agrarians as Coordinator for the Columbia Basin Region
Brittny will be coordinating up to 10 farm-related Young Agrarians events in the Columbia Basin between August 2018 and February 2019. If you’d like to host an event in your area, contact Brittny at 250-777-1611; email: columbiabasin@youngagrarians.org.
Promote Your Product, Find Local Food & Farmers
The Central Kootenay Food Policy Council has launched the first annual Central Kootenay Farm & Food Directory. Hard copies of the Directory can be found where local food is sold. Upload your farm to the directory today!
Jessica Piccinin – Root & Vine Acres, Creston
Sustainable Grazing with Jim Gerrish
August 20, 21 & 22 Cranbrook, Creston & Grand Forks
Jim Gerrish, will visit ranches over three days to discuss with producers how to effectively manage their grazing lands for economic and environmental sustainability.
Learn more
Improve Your Beekeeping
Cranbrook: September 22
This one-day workshop will improve beekeepers’ technical skills including: queen rearing, queen assessment, virus and bacterial disease recognition, preparing and overwintering nucs.
Learn more
Fruit Pressing for Farms
Slocan Valley: September 29
Large batch pressings with the Kootenay Mobile Juice Press. Coordinated by Kootenay Food.
Learn more about the event.
Learn more about the Press.
Keeping Flocks Healthy - Sheep & Goats
Nakusp: October 20
Animal health workshop with the Ministry of Agriculture for producers and processors of goats and sheep.
Learn more
On-Farm Water Management
Revelstoke: November 6 Grand Forks: November 7
The Ministry of Agriculture’s Water Management Specialist will share expertise on plant water demand, irrigation system design and efficiency.
Learn more
Getting Into Hog Production
Invermere: November 13
With more people looking to raise pigs for profit, this workshop is designed to give producers the tools they need to raise healthy and hearty animals.
Learn more
MISS AN EVENT? ARCHIVED RESOURCES AND EVENTS HERE
Herbicide Carryover in Hay, Manure and Compost
Crop damage from herbicide residue in manure impacted a local farm this season. This fact sheet from Oregon State University outlines how some herbicides can persist in soil for many years and steps you can take to protect your farm.
How Are Your Carrots This Year?
Last year carrot producers experienced crop failures. KBFA is monitoring the situation this season to identify diseases and potential management solutions. Please CONTACT US to report any carrot crop issues.
White Rot or Not?
If you think you have garlic white rot disease, get in touch with KBFA to find out how to get a positive identification. White rot can be hard to detect by the naked eye and can be mistaken for other diseases. Please exercise proper foot wear sanitation when traveling between farms to mitigate its spread.
Container Recycling & Obsolete Product Collection
Did you know that farmers can recycle used pesticide and herbicide containers free of charge at Growers Supply in Creston, Kelowna or Oliver?
Obsolete product collection happens every three years in BC. This year there will be two locations in the Kootenays:
Cranbrook: October 30, 2018 at Top Crop Garden
Creston: October 31, 2018 at Growers’ Supply
No Time to Travel? Take a Webinar!
Take in a pre-recorded webinar at your own computer when it is convenient to you. To see current webinars offered on a range of topics by the BC Ministry of Agriculture, click here.
Study Shows Growing Interest in Local BC Food
A new study by the Ministry of Agriculture identifies key consumer groups which are more inclined to purchase local food and the motivations behind these behaviours. The information is useful to primary producers looking to market their products and to major retailers hoping to understand the habits of consumers. Read study here.
