RDBN Growing Opportunities Agricultural Update - July 2021

July 2021 - Issue 2

CORRECTION

Please note that the phone number for the RDBN Alerts and Orders is
250-692-3195 (not 3185 as written in the original newsletter mailout).

 

BC GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Meat Licensing System

On July 20, 2021, the BC Government announced the new changes to the meat inspection and licensing system in BC for agricultural producers. These changes come into effect on October 1, 2021.

There will be no changes to the current abattoir facility licensing except in name. However; these changes could provide opportunities for small-scale producers wanting to sell meat locally within the RDBN.
Image showing new Meat Licensing system for BC.

Go to the official announcement on Meat Licensing for more details.

Increasing Housing Flexibility in the ALR

On July 12, 2021, the BC Government announced the new rules around housing on Agricultural Reserve Lands in BC. Examples of the changes include ALR properties having guest houses, accommodations above an existing building, manufactured home, and construction of new residences. 

Go to the official announcement on Housing Flexibility for more details.
Link to housing study survey
Young Agrarians Transition Tool-kit article

Transition Tool-kit for
Non-family Farm Transfer

BC Young Agrarians has developed a resource tool-kit for anyone curious about or coming close to retirement that is looking for alternative ways to transition land and farms to the next generation.

Get the tool-kit here, and/or contact the local Young Agrarian Land Matcher Morgan Kitchen (Central & Northern BC - living in Vanderhoof, morgan@youngagrarians.org).

STAY INFORMED - Current Wildfire Information

Evacuation Alerts and Orders
The RDBN website www.rdbn.bc.ca and phone number
250-692-3195 are your main sources of current information regarding wildfire Evacuation Alerts and Orders within the region.

BC Wildfires & Map
Find the BC Wildfire Map here.

GET PREPARED...

Premise ID

A Premise ID number is extremely valuable for the RDBN to to rapidly notify local farmers and ranchers in the event of a local emergency. Having a Premise ID number will be mandatory by 2022.

Get Premise ID for your properties

Wildfire Plan

The Farm/Ranch Wildfire Plan document is an easy to follow guide that covers all the areas to consider when planning to protect your vital infrastructure and livestock.

Create a Farm/Ranch Wildfire Plan

RDBN Alerts

Have access to reliable, timely and accurate information by  signing-up to receive Emergency and Public Alerts from the RDBN straight to your mobile phone, email or landline.

Get RDBN  Emergency & Public Alerts

Community

During alerts, the RDBN emergency response Agriculture Team works from a list of producers that have signed-up to support hauling and housing of livestock. We welcome new folks to sign-up.

Email Protective Services

Small-Scale Meat Producers Association is inviting ALL producers who sell their meat products direct-to-consumer are invited to participate in the survey. This survey is collecting essential information to help understand and articulate your needs. It will put numbers to small-medium producers, assess your impact on the local economy, and document the opportunities and the barriers you face. This information will help prioritize the work of SSMPA and also demonstrate to decision-makers, what is needed for this sector to thrive in BC. One response per operation. 

The survey is 10-15 minutes long and participants are eligible for a $25 off with FenceFast. 

Bulkley Valley Exhibition
August 26-29
Event information here.

Farmers' Markets!
Find the full list of Farmers' Markets throughout the RDBN, their dates and times of operation - CLICK HERE

CCP Event funding Deadline
July 30, 2021
Don't miss out on this funding to organize a local food focussed community event!

Connecting Consumers and Producers Event Application

Please let us know what you'd like to see in the next Growing Opportunities eNewsletter!

Megan D'Arcy 
(West - Areas A, B, E, G; Smithers, Telkwa, Houston, Granisle, Burns Lake, South Side)
250-692-0783
megan.darcy@rdbn.bc.ca

Michelle Roberge
(East - Areas C, D, F; Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fort Fraser, Fraser Lake, Endako)
250-570-8772
michelle.roberge@rdbn.bc.ca