David Zirnhelt
Special to the Tribune
This will be the second or third notice I have given for the upcoming founding workshop for CARA (Cariboo Agriculture Research Alliance, which will do extension of knowledge to producers).
This is an event that needs to attract leaders and all farmers and ranchers that are interested in the latest information on growing and managing crops and pastures in our area.
We have invited people who are on the cutting edge of applied research and extending that research to producers (including hobby farmers and gardeners).
It is all about growing more food better in the region.
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Check out this list of speakers:
Andrew Pantel, farmer of Pantel Environmental Consulting
Topic: Resilient livestock water developments on range
Allen Dobb, Allen Dobb Consulting
Topic: Silvopasture (trees and forage) demonstration project
Dr. Lauch Fraser, Thompson Rivers University
Topic: Intensive grazing systems
Dr. Richard Hebda, Royal BC Museum, climate expert
Topic: Heritage potato field trials (Cariboo and Likely Potatoes?)
Hughie Jones, MSc, University of BC
Topic: Protective vegetable field crop trials (various covers for plants)
Jennifer Catherall, College of New Caledonia
Topic: Tomatoes and unheated greenhouses
Serena Black, University of Northern BC
Topic; On-Farm soil test kit
What else? There will be an introduction to the B.C. Agricultural Climate Adaptation Research Network; A project update on emerging pests in the Cariboo; CARA database demonstration (relevant information for our region and how to source it).
When, then? Valentines Day, Feb 14th. You can go home to your sweetheart after! It is from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (lunch provided)
Where: Pioneer Complex, 351 Hogdson Road, Williams Lake
RSVP: Serena Black, CARA co-ordinator, sblack@industrialforestry.ca or phone 250-564-4115,local 233.
This alliance of producers and researchers is one way we can direct the development of knowledge that we need to stay on our game of food production in this area.
It doesn’t matter if you are a small or a large producer. Please come prepared to learn and contribute your knowledge and experience in our region.
READ MORE: Is a grass fed finished business a viable option for cattle producers?
We have to stick together as there are only 1100 or so farms and ranches in the Cariboo, more when we reach out to the surrounding regions and collaborate with them.
Young people interested in farming can hear some of the latest knowledge here and take information on gaps and problems and work on these questions as they pursue diplomas and degrees in agriculture.
They can bring this knowledge home with them and share it for our collective good.
We will be looking for partner organizations, so please come if your organization or business would like to be part of this joint venture we are developing.
An apology: last time I wrote about this , the wrong date was printed (my mistake). I had said this was Feb 1st, not Feb 14th.
I hope to see you there.
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