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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • JANUARY 2017 Islands Ag Show puts spotlight on Alberni Valley by TAMARA LEIGH
PORT ALBERNI – The Islands Agriculture Show is on the move again. This year’s event will take place February 3-4 at the Alberni Fall Fair Grounds in Port Alberni. Working on the theme Growing with the Alberni Valley – New & Innovative Agriculture, the show will highlight local solutions to support agriculture, small-scale farming, aquaculture, value-added opportunities, co-operatives, local marketing and land leasing. “The Islands Agriculture Show provides an opportunity to talk about what’s really important to farmers in each community,” says show manager Shari Paterson. “What’s really important to farmers in the Cowichan Valley is different from the Alberni or the Comox Valley. Because the show is more portable now, we are able to bring all the core elements of the show to each community and tailor it to the agriculture in their area.”
The show will feature 56 indoor exhibitors, an outdoor machinery and equipment showcase, and over a dozen educational workshops as part of the two- day conference.
2011 agriculture plan.
“This is our third year and we’ve seen a real shift in the attitude, not just with consumers but with the actual farmers in terms of building better relationships between farmers and the regional government,” says Lewis.
This and other community-based agricultural initiatives will be part of a panel discussion on Cultivating Community: Local Steps Towards West Coast Food Security on Saturday, February 4 as part of the two-day conference held in conjunction with the show.
Lisa Aylard of Stonehaven Farm and Port Alberni economic development manager Pat Deakin are ready to welcome visitors to the Islands Ag Show, February 3-4 in Port Alberni. LINDSAY CHUNG PHOTO
The Islands Agriculture Show began in 2011 in the Cowichan Valley to promote agriculture and professional development for farmers on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Now in its fifth year, the show has become established as an event for Island farmers to come together to learn and connect. This is the first time that the show has been held in Port Alberni.
“I think everyone should come to Port Alberni and
look around and see the abundance and opportunity that exists in this valley. There is so much going on, and some amazing supports in place,” says Anna Lewis, one of two agricultural support workers with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District who has been helping develop the program. The agricultural support worker position is one of the ways that the regional district is supporting the industry in the area. Lewis and her colleague, Heather Shobe, are contracted to implement the priorities identified in the region’s
This year’s conference program includes sessions on issues that affect farmers across the province, including a summary of the new regulatory requirements and groundwater licensing in British Columbia, and the new organic certification standards, climate change adaptation, economic opportunities and more. Farm Credit Canada is presenting keynote speaker Brent Paterson to speak on preserving the future of water. Paterson runs Paterson Earth and Water Consulting Ltd. and has worked on irrigation and water management projects in developing countries through the Canadian International Development Agency, United Nations Development Program and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Drawing on this, as well as his experience as executive director of the Irrigation and Farm Water Division with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Paterson will bring his insights on agriculture and water issues to the Vancouver Island context.
CONFERENCE SESSIONS TO REGISTER FOR WORKSHOPS VISIT
WWW.IASHOW.CA 10 EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS PRESERVING THE FUTURE OF WATER
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Brent Paterson
Principle, Paterson Earth & Water Consulting Ltd. Brent has over 35 years of ongoing experience with Rural and Agricultural
Development leading programs related to water supply, irrigation, water management, water quality and land reclamation. Learn about water related programs that support water security and food production in our upcoming conference session called preserving the future of water on Feb.3, 10am - 11:30pm.
FEBRUARY 3 - 4, 2017 . PORT ALBERNI, BC .
WWW.IASHOW.CA . 250.748.0822 .
COWEX@SHAW.CA
Vancouver Island’s Largest Agriculture Event of the Year Join farmers and agri-food producers to discover the latest in innovative technology, equipment and the business of agriculture. Conference registration at
www.iashow.ca.
The Islands Agriculture Show features a two-day conference that offers learning opportunities from compelling speakers for farming operations of all sizes.
Friday, February 3, 2017 1:00pm -2:00pm
Protecting Ground Water: A Summary of Regulatory Requirement. Ground Water Licensing in B.C.
Friday, February 3, 2017 2:30pm -4:00pm
Forage Trials and Climate Change Adaptation: Research from Across B.C.
Friday, February 3, 2017 1:30pm -2:30pm
Bringing Food Testing to the Farming Community: Foodmetrics the Lopez Island Experience
Friday, February 3, 2017 3:00pm -4:00pm
Food for the Bees: The BC Pollinator Project
Saturday, February 4, 2017 9:30am -12:00pm
Cultivating Community: Local Steps Towards West Coast Food Security
Saturday, February 4, 2017 1:30pm -3:30pm
Economic Opportunities in the Seafood Sector. First Nations Panel Discussion.
Saturday, February 4, 2017 9:30am -11:00am
Making a Deal: A Business Case for Buyers and Small Farm/Food Suppliers.
Saturday, February 4, 2017 11:30am -12:30pm
New Organic Certification Regulations
Saturday, February 4, 2017 1:30pm -3:30pm
Agriculture: A place of social enterprise
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