Island Agricultural Fair February 1 & 2
The Islands Agriculture Show is the largest agriculture event on Vancouver Island.
The show itself will feature over 60 trade show exhibits, innovative new equipment, the latest in farming technology, and a walk down memory lane with the Antiques Tractor society displays. The “Young Farmers” will enjoy the company of Miss Vicky and Daisy the Cow, the Poultry in Motion Display, or they can spend some time with the 4H kids and plant some seeds to take home. The trade show features 69 exhibitors and admission is $5.00 at the door.
This year’s show will include an entirely new lineup of conference speakers, stage activities and more learning opportunities for the “Young Farmers”. Speaker topics range from Organic Certification, Starting a Vineyard, Weather patterns, and Water drainage to selling your products to the retails markets or perhaps you would like to know more about getting started with Social Media, this year there is conference session for everyone.
Registration is $15.00 per session and includes coffee or tea.
Lunch will be available for purchase on site from one of three concessionaires.
To register for sessions go on line at www.iashow.ca .
Register early as space is limited, if you have any questions or prefer to register by phone, call:
Shari Paterson – Event coordinator at 250‐748‐0822 or
Kathy Lachman – Steering Committee at 250‐746‐7880.
Conference Schedule - Friday, February 1, 2013
8:30 am Trade Show opens
8:45 am- 9:00 am Opening Ceremonies
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Mellor Hall |
Scout Hall |
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9:00 am- 10:30 am Selling Fresh Products into Retail Markets John F.T. Scott Discover who you can best take advantage of industry changes in Canada's dynamic fruit and vegetable marketplace. Learn how the industry is changing, including the players and their formats. Gain insight into strategic direction in retail and how to position products for different retailers. Understand the future of value‐added and the potential for higher returns. Discover trends and opportunities in commodities and fresh product. |
9:00 am- 10:00 am Organic Certification 101: What you need to know to become certified organic Lisa Pierce, Down to Earth Agricultural Services Thinking of becoming certified organic but not sure if you qualify or where to start? Get an overview of the basic organic crop and livestock requirements of the Canada Organic Standards (COS) from an organic inspector who has worked in the field for over 12 years. Also included will be a discussion of provincial certification agencies, costs, advantages / disadvantages of certification, and an opportunity to ask questions. |
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10:00 am-10:30 am Networking Break |
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10:30 am-11:00 am Networking Break |
10:30 am- 11:30 am Organomics – a Discussion about the Economics of |
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11:00 am- 12:00 noon Changes in BC Assessment Authority Farm Tax Status Peter Alexander, Deputy Assessor Peter Alexander, BA, AACI, is an accredited appraiser with the Appraisal Institute of Canada. He has been with BC Assessment since 1996. He currently holds the position of Deputy Assessor in the Nanaimo Office, overseeing Residential, Farm and Administrative services within the Vancouver Island Region. |
Organic Production Gary Rolston, From the Ground Up Gary will be discussing the economics of organic production |
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Changes to farm income support programs and taxation Joe Renooy, CA, Manager, MNP, Courtenay Joe will be providing insight on the recent changes in tax matters affecting our farms today. He will provide information on how BC's new PST system will affect your farm and ways to plan ahead to save you money. Joe will be discussing a recent Federal Court case that may allow for increased tax savings for your farm, and will also go through the recent changes in Canada's AgriStability and AgriInvest programs. |
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11:30 am- 1:00 pm Lunch Break |
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12:00 noon- 1:30 pm Lunch Break |
1:00 pm- 2:30 pm |
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1:30 pm- 2:30 pm Forecasting Weather on Vancouver Island Hamish Murray, Meteorological Service of Canada
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Resilience, Energy and the Future of Food Mike Lewis, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Community Renewal The linkage between fossil fuels, climate change and our current food system are deeply intertwined and render human kind vulnerable on many levels. As consciousness of this reality grows, so too does innovation – social innovation. Mike will describe the architecture of co‐operative strategies that are transforming our approach to securing our food in an ever more volatile world. |
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2:30 pm- 2:45 pm Networking Break |
2:30 pm- 2:45 pm Networking Break |
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2:45 pm- 3:45 pm Water Management and Agriculture Ted van der Gulik, Senior Engineer, BC Ministry of Agriculture Ted will discuss details determining agriculture’s current and future water requirements and talk about the Agriculture Drainage Criteria and improving irrigation management
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2:45 pm- 3:45 pm So you Want to Start A Vineyard; Intro to Coastal Viticulture Daniel Cosman, Omega Viticulture Consulting Daniel will be discussing such topics as site and vine selection, challenges and opportunities in starting your own winery, the costs and marketing for your grapes, timing of ordering vines, and diseases and viruses. Being proficient at all aspects of this business means being a farmer, winemaker, book keeper, and marketer and the importance of branding |
Conference Schedule - Saturday, February 2, 2013
8:30 am Trade Show opens
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Mellor Hall |
Scout Hall |
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9:00 am- 10:30 am Grocer – Chef – Farmer; IAS Food Panel Steven Walker‐Duncan, Chef, Camosun College Dan Ferguson, Dragonfly Farm Interactive discussion between all the participants in the fresh food chain. Each will describe what they need in order to be successful. Audience is encouraged to ask questions and participate. |
9:00 am- 10:00 am Island Feed Production: Home Grown Grains and Forages Dr. Art Bomke, UBC (retired) Foster Richardson, B.SC. Agriculture A discussion on the use of cereal silage, grain silage, productivity, disease and lodging resistant. Plus nutrient cycling in forage crops as well as a student thesis report from the Cowichan Region.
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10:00 am-10:30 am Networking Break |
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10:30 am-11:00 am Networking Break |
10:30 am- 11:30 am |
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11:00 am- 12:00 noon Farmers Market Programs Jon Bell, President, BC Association of Farmers Markets Jon is a provincial director of the BC Farmers Market Association, a member of the local Agriculture Advisory Committee, VP and past president of the Sechelt Farmers market (15 year member), and is the farmer in the local Farm to School program. New BC Buy Local Program Peter Donkers, Investment Agriculture Foundation In August 2012, the Provincial government announced that it was making an investment of $2 million to help BC farmers, fishers and food processors promote local foods within the province. The Investment Agriculture Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture is delivering the Buy BC Local Program. This session will provide you with details on the program criteria and application process. |
Getting the Most out of your Woodlot Harold Macy, Author, Four Storey Forest Harold is the author of the recently published “The Four Storey Forest” which describes many of his woodlot and agroforesty activities.
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11:30 am- 1:00 pm Lunch Break |
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12:00 noon- 1:30 pm Lunch Break |
1:00 pm- 2:30 pm |
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1:30 pm- 2:30 pm Getting Started in Social Media Chris Burdge, bWEST Consulting You’ve heard from everyone that you should be on Twitter or have a Facebook page. What they don't tell you is what comes next or why you should be there. In this session we'll explore some potential social media strategies, how to track and measure success, and walk you through which tools work and how. This presentation leads with strategy, this is not a “twitter is cool” presentation. Businesses want and need to know how to make social media work for their bottom line, otherwise what's the point. |
Growing Family Business Success: Managing People on the Farm and within the Family Judi Cunningham, UBC Sauder School of Business Judi’s presentation will impart the dynamics unique to family businesses including characteristics of a healthy farm business and the impact of human resource practices on the farm business. Manage complex HR situations and establish boundaries between the three circles of the family business. Acquire strategies and skills for running your farm. |
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2:30 pm- 2:45 pm Networking Break |
2:30 pm- 2:45 pm Networking Break |
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2:45 pm- 3:45 pm Grow Me Instead ‐ Alternatives To Invasive Plants in Your Garden Rachelle McElroy, Coordinator, Coastal Invasive Plant Committee |
2:45 pm- 3:45 pm Farming and Labour Relations Employment Standards Office, Ministry of Labour Relations |
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4:00 pm Conference and Trade Show Ends |
4:00 pm Conference and Trade Show Ends |
To register for sessions go on line at www.iashow.ca .
Register early as space is limited, if you have any questions or prefer to register by phone, call:
Shari Paterson – Event coordinator at 250‐748‐0822 or
Kathy Lachman – Steering Committee at 250‐746‐7880.
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. It is up to the reader to check with the host organization for accuracy, completeness, up to date details, suitability, or validity of any workshop or information identified in this e-newsletter.
Used to be anybody could farm. All you needed was a strong back. . . but nowadays you need a good education to understand all the advice you get so you can pick out what’ll do you the least harm.
~ Vermont Saying, Mid-1900s
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