NOVEMBER 2019 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC
BC Young Farmers look to
grow north Mutual support a key benefit of BCYF membership by ANGELA ABRAHAO PRINCE GEORGE – A small
but strong showing of attendees made it out for the first-ever BC Young Farmers tour and social in Prince George on September 21. Created in 2008 as a committee under the BC Agriculture Council, BC Young Farmers now has a membership of more than 250 farmers aged 19-40. Most members are in the Fraser Valley, but with eyes set on growth, local BC Young Farmers director and coordinator Kayla Shallard welcomed members to Prince George. Tours began at Kawano
Farms, a family-run Class A abattoir that has been in business since 1978. Operated by the Noullet family, the abattoir does standard butchering as well as handling halal and kosher processing. It makes specialty products for ethnic dishes, enabling it to provide products that are not typically available in local grocery stores. After the abattoir tour, the
group proceeded to Eena Lake for a tour at the 8,000- acre Bar K Ranch. In addition to her role as board director and coordinator for BC Young Farmers, Shallard is the Bar K Ranch manager, overseeing an impressive 1,200-head cow-calf operation with extensive forage production. The Bar K Ranch is the fourth- largest ranch in BC, and was established more than 30 years ago. It is a corporate ranch, owned by the Carrier Group of Companies. (Carrier Lumber has deep roots in Prince George.) Shallard says “even though this is a corporate ranch, we are like a family here.” It is easy to see why
Shallard would make a good director and regional coordinator. She exudes confidence as she tours visitors through the ranch operations. Shallard emphasizes that young farmers and ranchers need to network, support each other and help each other problem solve.
She plans to get a group members together to network in the region. “I know what the problems are for me on my operation
BC’ i l l i 1915
and I think that it’s good to get together and help each other.” Focusing on youth leadership and providing networking events and educational training or workshops is an excellent opportunity for young farmers in the Prince George area. “For us, the BC Young
Farmers group really targets issues for us young people. We’re really excited to do our first tour,” Shallard says.
Michelle Miller, Kathleen and Sherrie Harfman, Sarah Shelke and Kayla Shallard were among a small but enthusiastic group of BC Young Farmers on the inaugural BCYF tour in Prince George. ANGELA ABRAHAO PHOTO
The BC Young Farmers would like to Thankour 2019 Sponsors.
Your support and generosity is building the next generation of farmers in BC.
Through your support, BCYF held several events for farmers aged 19 to 40 in 2019. These events provided educational material in a social setting – BCYF members learn important business principles that we incorporated into the management of the family farm. BCYF events provide important networking opportunities for BCYF members as we meet with fellow young farmers, business leaders, and educators.
Without your generous support BCYF would not have been able to hold events for our members.
On behalf of BCYF Directors and members we thank you and look forward to working with you in 2020 as we continue to provide educational and networking opportunities for BCYF members – the next generation of BC’s farmers.
Our program in 2019 included:
opportunity to promote the work that BCYF does and recruit new members.
the national Canadian Young Farmers Forum.
future BCYF directors to national agricultural issues and world-class networking and education opportunities.
providing educational and networking opportunities. This year we held several different tours in the Fraser Valley, the
educational sessions. This year’s keynote speaker is Chris Koch speaking on “If I Can”.
Farm Fest Yo2019u’re Invied to
Saturday, Nov. 16th UFV Chilliwack Campus
Doors open at 2:30 PM for happy hour and registration.
Join fellow young farmers and a host of industry experts and sponsors for an afternoon filled with networking, good
food, and tons of fun, all while listening to several informative speakers! The keynote speaker is Chris Koch
sponsored by FCC speaking on “If I can”. The event is free, but space is limited. Visit
www.bcyf.ca
for more information and to register
37
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
