AG TEAM UPDATE The weather is changing and it is starting to feel like spring! Many folks are dealing with lots of snow melt, which makes for muddy farmyards, rough country roads, and lots of trips to the car wash. Spring always brings new life to the farm too, be it animals, seedlings, repaired equipment and, in our case at the RDBN a new way to reach out and support local producers! We are excited to announce the launch of our first Growing Opportunities Podcast series. Read more about it, along with other news and information about our region, below. | RDBN GO Podcast! Over the past several months the Agriculture Coordinators at the RDBN have been busy planning the Growing Opportunities Podcast series that launches today - March 21st! This first 6-part series focusses on the different types of farming - such as beekeeping, forage production, raising livestock, etc. - and provides an overview with helpful tips and pearls of wisdom for new and experienced farmers. | | The first three Growing Opportunities podcast episodes are described below. New episodes will be launched every two weeks. Send us your ideas for topics for our next series, we want to create content that is relevant for producers in the RDBN. | Special thanks to Pamela Haasen from CICK radio for mentoring our Ag Coordinators through the podcast journey, as well as for her editing and publishing support. Pamela has been instrumental in making this podcast series a reality. | | LISTEN TO THE GROWING OPPORTUNITIES PODCAST WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS, AND FROM THE GROWING OPPORTUNITIES PAGE ON THE RDBN WEBSITE > GO | | | MARCH 21, 2022 Setting Up the Farm Off-Grid Options In this episode you get to meet both Megan and Michelle along with Bryan Swansburg from the Smithers area, as they discuss the challenges and tips for farming when you live off-grid and on-grid (whole or in part). Solar panel bank in Vanderhoof. | | | APRIL 4, 2022 Beekeeping from A to Bzzzz Learn from passionate local experienced beekeepers about the importance of pollinators, how to get started in bees, their best tips for overwintering bees, and how to grow a honey business. Checking hives - Clover Fields Apiaries. | | | APRIL 18, 2022 Forage Basics in the RDBN In this episode we explore types of forage and how to make the most of your pasture and hay fields. Learn the difference between legumes and grasses, how to assess quality and the basics on weed control. Hay field overlooking Francois Lake.. | | Feed BC Directory If you are a producer in the RDBN and you have products that are currently approved for sale in retail outlets, institutions or restaurants/wholesalers, then you may be interested in registering your business on the Feed BC Directory. This directory is used by buyers across the province to find locally sourced or processed foods. For more information go to the Feed BC Directory website. | ► BC Cattlemen's Association has arranged for a series of Emergency Management workshops in April and May for farmers and ranchers across the province. Local dates are Prince George April 27, and Smithers April 29. Find details here. ► Livestock Auctions are a great way to find new animals to grow your operations. A reminder of the local and online bull and regular livestock sales for the spring. Within the RDBN, BC Livestock (out of Vanderhoof) hosts auctions regularly. There are a number of auctions in other parts of BC too. Have a re-read of our September 2021 Growing Opportunities Issue 4 for a comprehensive list of auction houses. | Meat & Greet Series We have started the preparations to Part 2 in the Meat & Greet Series. Details on the event, that will cover topics related to licensing for both slaughter and cut & wrap, accessing abattoir services, and careers in meat-cutting the RDBN will be coming out in April 2022. Check the RDBN website and Connecting Consumers and Producers Facebook page details. Photo: Cattle ranch in Fraser Lake. | | 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 | | | | | |
