CONFERENCE PROGRAM

2012 Certified Organic Associations of BC (COABC) Conference Friday, February 24th to Sunday, February 26th, 2012

Best Western Rainbow Country Inn 43971 Industrial Way, Chilliwack, BC, Canada

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Table of Contents

Welcoming Remarks ................................................................................................................................ 4

Conference Theme ................................................................................................................................... 5

Keynote Address – Humberto Rios Labrada, Cuba ..................................................................................... 6

General Information ................................................................................................................................. 8

Hotel Floor Plan ............................................................................................................................................ 8

Hospitality Suites .......................................................................................................................................... 9

Daycare Facilities .......................................................................................................................................... 9

Tradeshow Exhibitors ................................................................................................................................... 9

Visitor/Tourism Information ......................................................................................................................... 9

Detailed Program ................................................................................................................................... 15

Friday, February 24th ................................................................................................................................... 15

Saturday, February 25th .............................................................................................................................. 16

Sunday, February 26th ................................................................................................................................. 23

Speaker and Presenter Bios .................................................................................................................... 25

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Welcoming Remarks

On behalf of the board of directors and staff of the COABC I would like to thank you for joining us at this year’s annual conference. We are excited to have Humberto Ríos Labrada and his son Humberto Ríos Rodriguez from Cuba as our keynote speakers. Saturday night, Humberto will join forces with Jose Sanchez Cuban Dance Band from Salt Spring Island for our banquet and dance. This will be an amazing event. Make sure to visit and bid on items in the silent auction. We thank Peter Leblanc and Andrea Lawseth, our contractors, and the conference committee for the work they have done to put together a great line up of speakers and workshops. Pick up a copy of Chilliwack’s Circle Farm Tour and visit some of the other farms on this self-guided tour event. There is a lot to do in Chilliwack take home the tourism package and come back, as you will not have time to visit everything this weekend! Enjoy the amazing organic food, most of which has been donated. Thank-you to all who made donations to the conference. We thank the staff at the Best Western Rainbow Country Inn for creating great meals, outside of their normal menu, to accommodate our donations. We are united by a shared vision of growing, processing and supplying Certified Organic food to the people of our province and the world. This conference will help us achieve our dreams as we look at new and innovative ways to fulfill our mission. We must work together towards eliminating obstacles and opening doors for organic farmers, processors and distributers in BC. This weekend we will be about spending time together and sharing ideas. Take these back and implement them in your operations and make sure to share them with someone who was unable to attend our conference. Remember to take time to visit our trade show booths. This conference is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors for which we are grateful. A special thank-you to Vancity, our Diamond Sponsor, the Innovation Advisory Council and Growing Forward for providing funding for this event. Enjoy the conference in this beautiful area of our province. Have fun, make new connections and renew old friendships!

Mary Forstbauer President – COABC

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Conference Theme

COABC’s Conference provides educational and networking opportunities for new and established farmers, as well as the general public. We feature educational topics presented by knowledgeable speakers who are experts in their field. The 2012 conference theme focuses on “innovation”. We have pulled together a wonderful selection of presentations that provide new insight into various concerns or challenges we experience in the farming community. These could be concerns related to on-farm management systems, succession planning, alternative farm models, certification, marketing or broader social issues. We have narrowed the topics down to three main theme areas:

On-Farm Innovations – this area focuses on on-farm issues such as wildlife management, the production and use of biochar, permaculture, waste reduction and utilization, simple record keeping and animal welfare.

Alternative Farm Models – this area will explore different farming models and examine the good, the bad and the ugly. We will look into different forms of cooperative farming, community farming and land leasing arrangements. We’ll also examine a farm school education program and a Young Agrarians network of new farmers.

Social Justice – this area will focus on issues that are rarely discussed openly in the farming community. We’ll examine farm worker housing situations, apprenticeship programs, conflict and nuisance complaints as well as working with people from First Nations and marginalized communities.

In addition to these streams we will also have the opportunity to explore other topics that have been raised as key issues to address. These include community seed collectives, innovative marketing tools such as social media, and resources for selling at the farmers’ market.

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Keynote Address – Humberto Rios Labrada, Cuba

Humberto Rios Labrada - "Travelling from Agri to Culture": The secrets of Myco on Rural Innovation. For more than thirty years, the Soviet Union served as Cuba’s key trading partner. Cuba, with its long agrarian history, developed a modern agricultural system with the help of chemical fertilizers and pesticides supplied by larger socialist countries. Like many countries during the later part of the 20th century, Cuba adopted a chemical-intensive, highly-mechanized mono-culture that initially produced high yields and reduced labor needs, allowing the country to be an important provider of sugar cane to its trading partners. At one point, Cuba was the highest per-capita consumer of agrochemicals in Latin America. While the system served the country’s economic

needs for several decades, the chemical usage and single-crop dependence soon took its toll on much of Cuba’s farmland, which makes up about 30% of Cuba’s total land area. More than half of the farmland was devoted to sugar cultivation. On the remaining land, Cuban farmers had little choice about which crops or varieties they could plant, using only a small selection of seeds developed to produce high yields within a fertilizer and pesticide-intensive system. Thus, much of Cuba’s environment was inundated with agrochemicals, threatening biodiversity and, over time, reducing crop yields. With the fall of communism in Europe, Cuba lost its chief trading partners along with its purchasing power and access to fertilizers and pesticides. As a result, Cuba’s agricultural sector ground to a halt, and food shortages ensued. To address this crisis, the government distributed large tracts of arable land to small farm cooperatives. By necessity, farmers began cultivating semi-organic harvests, using little to no pesticides or fertilizers. Farming cooperatives turned to crop rotation and beneficial insects to encourage healthy yields. As a result, some of these smaller farms saw their soils begin to regenerate. The history of Myco - The presentation describes how Myco a folk musician and then a doctoral student in agricultural sciences, stumbled upon this trend while doing research in the field. Traveling to farms that had not adopted the sugar cane monoculture model, Myco witnessed farmers using pre-industrial practices including crop rotation and experimentation with seed diversity. He watched as individual farmers tested different seed varieties of particular crops, selecting seeds that would thrive naturally in a particular environment. In each of these different locations Ríos realized that small farmers were contributing to a larger, nascent revitalization of the island’s agriculture. Myco saw that this method was based on sustainable, ecological practices led by farmers themselves. He recognized these emerging transformations as opportunities and possible solutions to Cuba’s agricultural and food crisis, and he committed to expand sustainable farming by forming partnerships with small farmers. In the late 1990s, Myco and his team of young scientists sought to catalyze this farmer-led experimentation, creating teams of researchers and professors across the island to establish agrobiodiversity learning centers with farmers to broaden sustainable agriculture and seed biodiversity efforts. He viewed this work as having strong potential to improve Cuba’s food security. Encouraging farmers to continue experimenting, Ríos helped to organize farmers to promote and enhance crop diversity with one another, sharing their knowledge and best practices, as well as their seeds. Myco spearheaded “seed fairs”, farmers experimentation and innovation festival in several farming communities across the island—gatherings where mutual learning and sharing of seed and crop biodiversity could take place regularly.

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While holding a research positions, Myco continued his work with farmers, slowly gaining the attention of the Cuban decision-makers and the international community. By 2007, Myco noticed a significant shift. His core belief - that agricultural scientists must work with and learn from the farmers whose families have passed down traditional knowledge about crop cultivation - began to take root. Fellow researchers and senior officials began taking notice of the results of Ríos’ efforts. They observed that farmers were now planting hundreds of varieties of crops without using chemical pesticides. In communities that once harvested only a few crop varieties, farmers were now cultivating many varieties of beans, rice, maize and other crops. Not only did food production increase via this approach, but the organic methods used also contributed to the sustainability of the land. Today, more than 50,000 farmers participate in seed biodiversity initiatives and carryout the farming practices promoted by Myco and the national network of universities and researchers supporting agrobiodiversity. Myco changed some stakeholders attitudes by his work with plant diversity and participation of farmers and rural consumers in building up more local benefits. The presentation of Myco history is recreated with music as a way to rescue the combined word of Agri-Culture

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General Information

HOTEL FL OOR PL AN

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HOSPITAL ITY SUITES

There is a hospitality suite available on the second floor for those that need a quiet space to unwind or take a break from the conference activities. Please ask the conference organizers for a key to the room.

DAY C ARE FAC IL ITIES

Daycare is being offered for those that registered online. Day care is by donation and will take place on Saturday during the workshop sessions.

TRADESHOW EXHIBITORS

We have a wonderful variety of tradeshow exhibitors that we are showcasing in the ballroom lobby. Please take some time to peruse the booths and get acquainted with some of the new innovations on display.

Anita’s Organic Mill

BC Association of Farmers Markets

BC Food Systems Network

Canada Organic Trade Association

Certified Organic Growers (COG)

Ministry of Agriculture – Farm Business Management

New City Market

Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada

Pilgrim’s Produce

Small Scale Food Processors Association

Southern Drip Irrigation

Sprouting Health Limited

Vancity Credit Union

V ISITOR/TOURISM INF ORMATION

Chilliwack is home to a number of recreational and educational activities. The following are a selection of some of the fun things to do in the area. Circle Farm Tour - Chilliwack A Circle Farm Tour is basically a road map that directs you to a variety of specialty farm-gate vendors, open air markets, charming eateries, heritage sites, fairs, and other special events. The tours are self-guided, meaning that you travel in your own car, at your own pace, when it suits you. Each community brochure/map directs you to about twelve venues. All are related in some way to agriculture and the area’s farming heritage. An action packed day of good ole' country charm awaits you on the Chilliwack Circle Farm Tour! Learn how bees communicate, ask about an old-world tradition while visiting an organic grain and flour mill and race the

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kids through the corn maze. Delight your senses at one of the most spectacular show gardens on earth, drop by the picturesque outdoor market on the beach and unwind with a perfect wine-paired meal. You won't be able to resist the temptation of shopping with items like handmade soaps, unique, one- of - a kind pottery pieces, farm fresh produce, goat cheese, organic beef, kosher honey, kosher grains and fresh stone-ground flours. Pick up a brochure from the registration table or visit the website on your smartphone at http://circlefarmtour.com. Stó:lō Resource Centre The Stó:lō Resource Centre (SRC) is a 24,800 square foot three story office building that houses the Stó:lō Research and Resource Management Centre (SRRMC), Stó:lō Development Corporation (SDC), Coqualeetza Cultural Education Centre (CCEC), Shxwt'a:selhawtxw Longhouse Extension Program (LEP), the Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Tribe and others. Key features of the facility include a Stó:lō Elders room, library, historical archives, artifact repository and curation space, video conferencing and 'smart-technology' boardrooms, Halq'eméylem language lab, Stó:lō cultural artifact and artwork display and interpretive space, and an education / artistic performance space as a central feature of the new building. It is located at 7201 Vedder Road. Directions can be found on the website at http://www.stolonation.bc.ca/about-us/map-and-directions.htm. Rotary Vedder River Trail The popular Rotary Vedder River Trail runs for 15.5km along the north dyke of the Vedder River, and with a surface that is suitable for walking, running, cycling or horseback riding, it has become a popular venue for outdoor leisure and recreation activities. Parking areas are located at Vedder, Peach, Lickman, and Sumas Prairie Road. Picnic tables and benches are situated along the trail. It is located on Peach Road and a map can be found here: http://www.tourismchilliwack.com/profile.php?profileID=642. Castle Fun Park Castle Fun Park has attractions for everyone in the family and is a great place to take children to burn off some energy. A list of attractions includes: mini golf, go cart tracks, bumper cars, batting cages, a shooting gallery and an arcade. Castle Fun Park is open every day, year-round from 10:00am – midnight and admission is free. It is located in Abbotsford, just off Trans-Canada Highway #1 and Exit #95 at Whatcom Road. Find more information here: http://www.castlefunpark.com/. Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve is a 130-hectare site (325 acre) located on the un-dyked floodplain of the Vedder River. Managed by the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve Society, the site is known for the breeding colony of Great Blue Herons as well as a wide variety of wildlife and vegetation. Features on the site include:

Beautiful Rotary Interpretive Centre Observation tower Bird blinds Salmon spawning channels 4 walking trails, covering about 9 km Wheelchair accessible building & trails

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Gift Shop Over 100 Great Blue Heron nests

The reserve is located at 5200 Sumas Prairie Road. You can find more information about the reserve here: http://www.chilliwackblueheron.com/.

Chilliwack Museum The Chilliwack Museum is located at the former city hall in downtown Chilliwack. The museum is open from Monday to Friday from 9:00am until 4:30pm. The museum is currently featuring the work of Stephen Dobson and his exhibit “Reflection of BC’s West Coast”. Stephen was born in Manchester, England immigrating to Canada at a young age and is a self-taught artist who loves painting. He is a very prolific artist who developed a signature style early in his career and was invited to join the Stave Falls Artist Group becoming one of the original members in the group. For more information visit www.chilliwackmuseum.ca. Fishing There are a lot of opportunities for fishing in Chilliwack on the Vedder and Chilliwack Rivers. Chilliwack offers world-class fishing in spectacular surroundings. If you're looking for a fishing challenge, make one of Chilliwack's mighty rivers or crystal clear lakes your next destination. The Fraser River is one of Canada's longest and is also one of the most productive in North America for Salmon, Steelhead, prized Chinook and world record sized Sturgeon. Steelhead and Coho begin to enter the river in early September so there is a chance at catching a variety of fish in the same day. Visit Fish Chilliwack’s website for more information: http://www.fishchilliwack.com/. Artist Studios and Tours Chilliwack is home to a multitude of artisans. For a list of local artisans and an artisan tour guide please visit Tourism Chilliwack’s website at http://www.tourismchilliwack.com/main.php?categoryID=13. Local Restaurants Chilliwack boasts a plethora of wonderful restaurants and cafes catering to all tastes. Many of the restaurants strive to offer local food in their dishes and work with farms in the area. Here is a short list of options, with many more listed on Tourism Chilliwack’s website at http://www.tourismchilliwack.com/main.php?categoryID=4.

Little Beetle Bistro

Shandhar Hut (Indian)

Chilies Thai Cuisine (Thai)

Capital Restaurant (Chinese)

Hana Sushi (Japanese)

Jackson’s Steak and Grill (Steakhouse)

Hide Away Café

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PROGRAM AT A GLANCE (Subject to change)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH

12:00 - 4:00 OSDP Meeting (Board Room)

1:00 - 5:00 Innovation Advisory Meeting (Suite 225)

2:30 - 5:30 VO/CC/CB Roundtable (Oak Room)

5:00 - 8:00 Registration (Foyer)

6:15 - 6:30 MLA John van Dongen – Conference Welcome

6:30 - 7:00 BC Ministry of Agriculture Innovation Unit

Ann Eastman

7:00 - 8:00 "Travelling from agri to culture": the secrets of Myco on rural innovation

Humberto Rios Labrada

8:00 - 10:00 Reception featuring organic cheese and cash bar with organic beer and wine

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH 7:30 - 7:00 Registration (Foyer)

7:30 - 8:00 Breakfast (Vedder/Heritage Rooms)

7:45 - 8:00 Conference Welcome and Introduction (Mary Forstbauer)

8:00 - 8:30 Social Media for Farmers

Chris Bodnar

8:30 - 8:45 Greeting from Provincial and Federal representatives

Lana Popham – NDP Agriculture Critic

8:45 - 9:00 Coffee & Treats - Break for movement between workshops (Fraser Room)

9:00 - 10:30 Vedder Room Heritage Room Oak Room Board Room

ON-FARM INNOVATION Animal Health and Welfare on Organic Farms

Jackie Wepruk The Six Masters Story: Feeding Animals Better and for less

Walter Bergen

INNOVATIVE FARM MANAGEMENT Yarrow Ecovillage Community Farm - the triumphs and tribulations of community farming

Tamara Bonnemaison & Shauna Gavigan

Community Farming & Food Access: A case study of the Sharing Farm in Richmond, BC

Arzeena Hamir

SOCIAL JUSTICE INNOVATIONS Farm Worker /Housing Conditions & Solutions - Options for farm worker’s conditions on the farm

Doe Gregoire

COMMUNITY SEED COLLECTIVES

Susan Davidson

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10:30 - 11:00 Coffee & Treats - Break for movement between workshops (Fraser Room)

11:00 - 12:30 Vedder Room Heritage Room Oak Room Board Room

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH Organic Record Keeping

Rochelle Eisen Identifying Innovative Research Priorities for BC

Dr. Andrew Hammermeister

INNOVATIVE TOOLS FOR PREPARING NEW FARMERS Young Agrarians

Sara Dent Kwantlen Farm School

Kent Mullinix

SOCIAL JUSTICE INNOVATIONS Improving the Apprenticing Experience

Jordan Marr Beyond Our Plates

Raul Gatica

COMMUNITY SEED COLLECTIVES

Susan Davidson

12:30 - 1:30 Lunch (Ballroom)

1:30 - 3:00 Vedder Room Heritage Room Oak Room Board Room

ON-FARM INNOVATION Innovative Farm Practices for Soil & Wildlife: Examples from BC's Vegetable Basket

David Bradbeer Building Innovative Farm Machinery

Rob Hettler

INNOVATIVE FARM MANAGEMENT You clean the pig pen while I go to the beach

Tom Henry SOLEFood

Seann Dory

SOCIAL JUSTICE INNOVATIONS Working with Sechelt Nation to Reclaim Territory using Organic Vegetable Production

Peter Doig Grounded in the Ground

Glen Flett & Marjean Fichtenberg

COMMUNITY SEED COLLECTIVES

Susan Davidson

3:00 - 3:30 Coffee & Treats (Fraser Room)

3:30 - 5:00 Vedder Room Heritage Room Oak Room Board Room

ON-FARM INNOVATION Biochar

Dave McCandless & Jessica Dennis

HerbPro Coop

Jeanette Lee Building and Managing a Café Bistro on the Farm

John & Katy Erlich

INNOVATIVE CERTIFICATION AND LABELLING ISEAL Assurance Code project

Paddy Doherty Organic Labelling

Rochelle Eisen

SOCIAL JUSTICE INNOVATIONS Being a Friendly Farmer: Practical tips on preventing complaints and managing conflict

Gloria Chojnacki & Wanda Gorsuch

COMMUNITY SEED COLLECTIVES

Susan Davidson

5:00 - 7:00 Join us in the Hospitality Suite for Refreshments!

7:00 - 8:00 Banquet & Founder's Award (Ballroom)

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8:00 - 9:00 KEYNOTE - PROGRAMS FOR INNOVATIVE LOCAL AGRICULTURE (PILA/PIAL) Humberto Rios Labrada

9:00 - 9:30 Final bidding on Silent Auction

9:00 - 11:00 Dance and Entertainment

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH 8:00 - 8:30 Breakfast

8:30 - 9:00 Contemplating Seeds and Thinking about Bees

Nichola Walkden

9:00 - 10:30 Vedder Room Heritage Room Oak Room Board Room

ON-FARM INNOVATION Summerhill Permaculture and Biodynamic

Gabe Cipes

INNOVATIVE FARM MANAGEMENT Land Leasing Arrangements

Adam Bongarzone, Matthew Stuart & Jeanette Sheehy

MARKETING INNOVATIONS Selling at BC Farmers Markets

Chris Hergesheimer & Dr. David Connell

New City Market

Darren Stott

ON-FARM INNOVATION Parenting and Farming: A Roundtable Discussion

Chris Bodnar

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee & Treats (Fraser)

11:00 - 1:00 AGM (Vedder/Heritage)

1:00 - 2:00 Lunch

1:00 - 3:00 Board Orientation

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Detailed Program

FRIDAY , FEBRUARY 24 T H

6:30pm – 7:00pm Developing a BC Strategy for Innovation in Agriculture Vedder Room Globally, across Canada, and within BC, the development and adoption of

innovation is increasingly recognized as critical to the competitiveness and resilience of the agriculture and food industry, as well as fundamental to address challenges such as ensuring food security and tacking environmental issues. The developing BC Strategy for Innovation in Agriculture is intended to identify opportunities for and barriers to innovation in BC agriculture, food and agri-products sectors; build collaborations across industry, government and academia to address these systematically; and, in the longer term, increased innovation capacity. Presenter: Ann Eastman, BC Ministry of Agriculture Innovation Unit

7:00pm – 8:00pm KEYNOTE: "Travelling from Agri to Culture": The secrets of Myco on Rural Vedder Room Innovation.

See presentation description on page 5. Presenter: Humberto Rios Labrada

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SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 25 T H

8:00am – 8:30am Social Media for Farmers Vedder/Heritage Room There are a variety of social media options for farmers -- from Twitter and Facebook

to Foodtree and Blogs -- it can be easy to be overwhelmed or to outright dismiss these marketing options. One advantage of social media is that it is free to use. A major disadvantage is that it can be time consuming and the payback is sometimes questionable. Knowing how each of these options works and what you can use them for will make developing a social media presence more manageable. This workshop will demonstrate how farmers are using each of these social media tools and how it is benefiting their relationships with consumers. Presenter: Chris Bodnar, Glen Valley Organic Farm Coop

All Day Saturday BCSeeds: a project of Farm Folk City Folk - Growing BC's organic seed capacity by Board Room nurturing and networking community seed collectives

BC Seeds is a project of FarmFolkCityFolk. We support organic farmers to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown seed by nurturing and networking community collectives. We will be hosting an Open Space room from Friday evening through to Saturday 4:00pm dedicated to informal exchanges and hands on opportunities covering all aspects of seed growing in BC.

Bring along any dried seeds you have that need cleaning and seeds to trade and the stories that enhance their meaning. Come on in for informal mentoring and participatory cleaning, packaging, and/or exchanging of seeds. Mojave Kaplan of Planting Seeds will demonstrate a variety of cleaning tips and tools. Facilitators: Susan Davidson & Mojave Kaplan

9:00am – 10:30am Animal Health and Welfare on Organic Farms Vedder Room Farm animals make an important contribution to organic farming operations. This

session will focus on the Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals and it’s relevance to the organic sector. The Codes are national guidelines for the care and handling of the different species of farm animals. They promote sound management and welfare practices through recommendations and requirements for housing, care, transportation, processing and other animal husbandry practices. The Codes are developed by a committee that includes a broad spectrum of knowledgeable people including producers, transporters, veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, enforcement, retail and food service organizations, processors, government representatives and researchers / academics. Learn how the Codes are promoting a national understanding of farm animal care requirements and recommended best practices. Presenter: Jackie Wepruk, General Manager of the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC)

The Six Masters Story: Feeding Animals Better, for less

About a year ago i asked the question: "Can i feed my livestock really good recycled food". Today we recycle tonnes of organic bread, we have a contract to recycle organic dairy products, we recycle kitchen scraps from three separate restaurants and the list goes on. I take product in to the city and return with feed for my animals. I have significantly lowered the cost of feeding my animals, they eat well,

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and I’ve improved the quality of my produce. I'm now talking with Vancouver City Councilor about a pilot project for 2012. Presenter: Walter Bergen, Six Masters Farm

9:00am – 10:30am Yarrow Ecovillage Community Farm - the triumphs and tribulations of community Heritage Room farming.

Community Farms are an innovative method of creating land access for young farmers. Here, one of the farmers at the Yarrow Ecovillage Community Farm shares some of the perks of community farming, such as tractor and equipment sharing, sharing knowledge, and creating marketing opportunities. Some of the challenges of community farming are also discussed, and a special look will be given at how farmers are learning to overcome their differences, piecing together the infrastructure needed to farm, and balancing community needs of the farmland as well as farmer needs. Presenter: Tamara Bonnemaison & Shauna Hiller, Yarrow Ecovillage Organic Farm

Community Farming & Food Access: A case study of the Sharing Farm in Richmond

Municipalities often own large acreages of farmland. The Sharing Farm is an example of the use of municipal land to grow food for clients of the Food Bank and community meal programs. Hear how one small community farm has been able to impact thousands in the Richmond community and beyond. Presenter: Arzeena Hamir, Richmond Food Security Society

9:00am – 10:30am Options for farm worker’s conditions on the farm Oak Room We will be taking a look at what choices within the agricultural industry and what

actions farmers and municipalities have arranged in the past, present and what needs to be done in the future to create a better situation for their employees. Our concerns will take into account the cost to the farmers & municipalities and possibly farm workers for better conditions on the farm and how to more improve hygienic and upgrading their general housing conditions on the farm. A discussion will follow. Presenter: Doe Gregoire, Four Winds Farm

11:00am – 12:30pm Record Keeping for Organic Producers Vedder Room Is paperwork your Achilles heel? Are you avoiding organic certification because of

this? Are you having a tough time keeping your certifier happy as your audit trail doesn’t always work? If so, this session is for you. Rochelle will walk through what a well-organized field-to-fork record keeping system looks like, how this makes your operation readily auditable, and will identify the other the benefits of keeping such good records. Powerpoint materials used in this training have been perfected by Rowena Hopkins and Roxanne Beavers of the Atlantic Canada Organic Regional Network. Presenter: Rochelle Eisen, Resilient Solutions Consulting

Identifying Innovative Research Priorities in BC

Over the last 3 years the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada has been managing Canada's first Organic Science Cluster which provides funding for over 45 scientists across Canada, working on 27 different research projects, including projects in BC (see http://oacc.info/OSC/osc_welcome.asp). The Science Cluster is funded by 75% government cash and 25% industry matching cash. This program ends in

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March of 2013, and the next Organic Science Cluster is scheduled to start in April of 2013 and will last until March 2018. We are beginning the planning for our next Organic Science Cluster application by consulting with stakeholders across the country to identify research priorities that will have the biggest impact on development of the organic sector that: a) may have a source for direct industry cash support b) are of general benefit to the sector and may not have a single industry sponsor.

This is a big opportunity to direct long-term research funding for both Universities and AAFC toward industry priorities. We need to hear the priorities for the organic sector in BC. This will be a facilitated discussion that will lead to more detailed discussion in the coming year. Presenter: Dr. Andy Hammermeister, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada

11:00am – 12:30pm Young Agrarians Heritage Room Young Agrarians (YA) is a Canada focused on-line and off-line campaign to connect

young farmers and grow new ones, inspired by the Greenhorns movement in the U.S. A project of Farm Folk City Folk, the campaign will focus on BC for 2012 and Canada for 2013. Who are we? Young Agrarians are promoters of the new agrarian movement; young agriculturalists, farmers, urban farmers, market gardeners and their supporters using the power of media and the internet to build a community that can feed the people of Canada. Young Agrarians are the trumpet blowers, promoters, marketeers and designers who want to rebuild, promote and inspire the agriculture of our country. Our focus is to build a collaborative network of activated young people who are telling their stories through social media, digital storytelling, pictures, music and words, and who are meeting in real time to build community, celebrate and activate! This 45 minute workshop session will focus on bringing the voices in the room into the process of creating YA through collaborative games and dialogue. Presenter: Sara Dent, Young Agrarians

Preparing a new generation of agriculturists, Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s

Commitment: The Richmond Farm School and Bachelor of Science- Sustainable Agriculture. In response to growing interest in agriculture as an integral element of sustainable human settlement and the impending need for millions of post peak-oil North American farmers Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is committed to preparing a new generation of BC agriculturists committed to ecologically sound, human intensive, local-regionally scaled and community focused agri-food systems. Two agriculture educational programs have been developed by KPU that will be integral to the university’s focus on and commitment to advancing and supporting sustainable agriculture in BC. In this workshop the Richmond Farm School and the Bachelor of Applied Science- Sustainable Agriculture will be described in full. KPU’s commitment to and trajectory to develop substantial focus on sustainable agriculture, via research, extension and education programming will also be discussed. Presenter: Kent Mullinix, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

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11:00am – 12:30pm Improving the Apprenticing Experience Oak Room In British Columbia, many organic farms host apprentices each season. The working

relationship usually involves the host farmer exchanging knowledge, room and board, and a stipend for labour from the apprentice. Many apprentices leave their apprenticeships satisfied with their experience, but some do not. Regardless, it is in famers’ collective best interest to always be striving to improve the apprenticing experience for those taking part. A happy apprentice is a better worker, and more likely to pick up the torch of farming afterward.

In 2011, one of BC’s primary apprenticeship promoters, Stewards of Irreplaceable Land (SOIL), piloted a new project aimed at improving the apprenticing experience by offering apprenticeship applicants the mentorship services of alumni of SOIL’s apprenticeship program. The main function of these ‘SOIL Ambassadors’ was to offer to assist applicants in choosing the right farm for their apprenticeship, and offering them ongoing email and phone support whenever required by the applicant during their subsequent apprenticeship.. Presenter: Jordan Marr, The Ruminant

Beyond Our Plates Do we know where the food we eat every day comes from? What is the real price we are paying for it? What we are doing for the people who produce our food? Is it enough to be organic in order to be fair? What is happening in our fields before the vegetables arrive at our table? What we can do to be fair to the people who work hard for us? Beyond our plates will try to show the reality of thousands of seasonal workers who arrive every day in BC. It is not meant to be critical towards anyone, but to address the challenges for others and understand how we would feel if we were in their shoes. Presenter: Raul Gatica, Agriculture Workers Alliance

1:30pm – 3:00pm Innovating Farm Practices for Soil & Wildlife: Examples from BC's Vegetable Vedder Room Basket

Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust has been working with farmers in southwestern BC to manage crop rotations for soil fertility and wildlife habitat. DF&WT give farmers funding to establish rotational grasslands, winter cover crops, and native trees & shrubs. Learn about how these activities:

Increase soil organic matter and improve soil structure.

Provide nesting/feeding habitat for bumblebees and other native pollinators.

Maintain wintering populations of grassland birds, including hawks, owls, falcons, wading birds, shorebirds, and songbirds.

Contribute to waterfowl conservation on the Pacific Flyway.

Empower farmers to actively participate in wildlife conservation. Presenter: David Bradbeer, Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust

Appropriate Technology for Small Farms – Picking Machines

I am interested in presenting a talk on designing and building appropriate machinery to meet specific farm needs, high lighting with the demonstration and use of a straddle buggy, which is a homemade 4 wheel picking/ weeding/planting cart using recycled parts for the most part with some welding and fabrication.(See the COABC GROWER-2003) Also I will bring along a commercially built picking machine called the "picking assistant" which is a three wheel electric drive unit. It is

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instructive to compare the two machines and compare and contrast the benefits/drawbacks of both machines both in function and cost. An introduction and short presentation will be followed with plenty of question and answer time. Presenter: Robert Hettler, Pilgrim’s Produce

1:30pm – 3:00pm You clean the pig pen while I go to the beach Heritage Room How two mixed farms worked co-operatively to save money, increase profits and

farm more efficiently. Stillmeadow Farm and Parry Bay Sheep Farm, of Metchosin, on Vancouver Island, have developed an innovative system for sharing equipment, labour and marketing. This could be a model for other farms. Presenter: Tom Henry, Small Farm Canada

SOLEFood Farm

SOLEfood Farm is a social enterprise that provides urban agriculture employment and training opportunities for Vancouver’s inner-city residents. Working alongside farmer/author Michael Ableman, community residents are trained and employed to install and manage small production farms on leased urban lots. Produce grown from the farms is washed, cooled, and consolidated at a central location, then sold to restaurants, at farmers markets and distributed to community organizations. With few significant food production farms within the city, the project also provides modeling and education opportunities to a population that has little connection to the natural world or to their food sources. SOLEfood Farm will expand to include a large network of farms throughout the city that will help revitalize neighbourhoods, provide meaningful employment to individuals with multiple challenges, supply fresh food to inner city residents, and present a successful self-supporting model of high quality innovative agriculture within the urban context. Presenter: Seann Dory, SOLEFood Farm

1:30pm – 3:00pm Working with Sechelt Nation to Reclaim Territory using Organic Vegetable Oak Room Production

Sunshine Coast Organics (SCO) is an organic farming operation that overlooks the Sechelt Inlet from Traditional Coast Salish Territory. The Company was formed in partnership with the Sechelt Nation and Salish Soils. This strategic venture will rehabilitate once-mined and depleted land, train and employ aboriginal youth, and provide locally-grown organic food for the community. Sunshine Coast Organics was formed through a collective vision for sustainability, resiliency, and food security for the Sunshine Coast. It is a partnership of agriculture, bioresource engineering, and land-use professionals and the Sechelt Nation. The interconnectedness of composting local organic residuals to repair and produce on the land makes it an elegant, closed-loop system. It is not simply resource extraction; it is integration, innovation and entrepreneurialism.

SCO occupies a highly-unique position in relation to the Sechelt Nation, Salish Soils and the larger community. It alone has been granted a long-term lease on prime Nation land in order to collaboratively develop a much-needed, highly profitable organic greenhouse business serving the Nation itself and the larger local community along with assisting in the development of another highly-profitable boutique compost and soil company, Salish Soils. Presenter: Peter Doig, Upland Consulting

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Grounded in the Ground: The District of Mission Community Organic Garden and Its Role in the Safe Reintegration of Long-term Offenders

Mission is a community with a flourishing restorative justice community. It is also one where the issues around food security are more and more part of the community consciousness. L.I.N.C. (Long-term Inmates Now in the Community) Society manages the Soapbox Community Organic Garden in Mission. Long-term/high profile offenders reintegrate back into the community in a pro-social way. They gain first hand experience managing an organic garden, from seed to sale, including record keeping, public communication and education. They work the communal plots in the garden as well as have their own growing space. Some of the vegetables grown are sold at the Mission City Farmers’ Market to help support a peer support group for survivors of homicide in Abbotsford funded by L.I.N.C. that began in February 2011.

What is happening at the garden is a unique partnership between L.I.N.C., the District of Mission, other local non profits, the general public and victims of crime. But we feel it can be duplicated elsewhere. The Soapbox Community Organic Garden serves as a template to explore this idea. Presenter: Glen Flett & Marjean Fichtenberg, L.I.N.C. Society

3:30pm – 5:00pm Biochar: A soil amendment for improved soil quality and carbon sequestration Vedder Room Biochar is charcoal made from the pyrolysis of biomass intended for use as a soil

amendment. Biochar has the potential to improve soil nutrient retention, water retention, and microbial activity. Biochar also has the potential to sequester carbon in agricultural soils for a long period of time thereby contributing to the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Dave McCandless built a small kiln to produce biochar at Fraser Common Farm Cooperative and has been experimenting with its use on the farm. Biochar has gained a lot of momentum recently and this workshop will explore the potential role of biochar in organic agriculture systems in British Columbia. The production of biochar will be discussed looking at both on site production as well as emerging industrial scale production. The application of biochar in the field as well as its potential as a constituent of potting mix will be explored. The information presented in the workshop will draw on research carried out by the presenters over the 2011 season. The research involved producing biochar on site, establishing field trials to assess the impact on crop yield and establishing potting trials to assess the potential as a replacement for peat. The workshop will cover essential information for those interested in using biochar and will lead into a discussion on whether biochar is a valuable and feasible practice for organic growers in BC. Presenters: Dave McCandless, Farmer at Fraser Common Farm Cooperative and Jessica Dennis, UBC

Growing for the Natural Health Products (NHP) Market Incorporated in August 2004, the HerbPro Cooperative grew out of a rural

community economic development initiative in the West Kootenays. Our primary focus is the cultivation and wildharvesting of herbs and botanicals destined for use in the Natural Health Products sector. Our Mission is 2 fold:

For our membership - to enhance the income of producer members by supplying herbs and botanicals to the North American marketplace, in a manner that ensures a balance of economic, social and environmental concerns

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For our Customers - to supply the finest premium quality herbs and botanicals to our customers in the natural health products and natural foods sector.

This presentation will explore the background of the coop why it was formed, as well as the Natural Health Products (NHP) market. We will look at what is in demand, what to grow, how to grow it, the industry requirements, diversification, challenges and opportunities. Finally, we will examine how the coop helps growers to join forces for market entry. Presenter: Jeanette Lee, HerbPro Coop

Building and Managing a Cafe/Bistro on the Farm The Alderlea Biodynamic Farm and CSA built a cafe/bistro on their farm two years

ago to provide value to their products and CSA. John and Katy will speak about financing, construction, costs, and experiences running a restaurant on the farm while they manage a 200 member CSA. Presenters: John & Katy Erlich, Alderlea Biodynamic Farm CSA

3:30pm – 5:00pm ISEAL Assurance Code Project Heritage Room In 2006 Statistics Canada identified 2,767 'uncertified' organic producers in BC, yet

the COABC membership includes less than 800. This indicates two problems: 1. The current certification model is not appropriate for all organic producers 2. Consumers are not being protected from fraud under the current system

This session will explore innovative options for certification under the BC Certified Organic Programme. The current model has marginalised small and urban farmers – how can we bring them into the system while protecting the integrity of the organic claim? Presenter: Paddy Doherty, Code Development Manager

Organic Labelling In this session Rochelle will discuss organic labeling - what is required under the

Canada Organic Regime and the British Columbia Certified Organic program. She will focus particularly on good labeling practices, including use of logos and CFIA’s Labelling and Advertising Requirements. Presenter: Rochelle Eisen

3:30pm – 5:00pm Being a Friendly Farmer: Practical tips on preventing complaints and managing Oak Room conflict

In the course of business, farmers can find themselves the focus of nuisance complaints (e.g. noise, dust, odour etc). Resolving complaints once they arise can sometimes be a long and resource intensive exercise. Farmers can take a proactive approach to preventing complaints, as well as understanding options for dealing with conflict when it arises.

This workshop will discuss common nuisance complaints faced by BC farmers and the proactive measures farmers can take to reduce the risk of complaints. Extensive ‘real life’ examples from across the province will be provided on common issues, creative resolutions, and approaches to dealing with conflict. Presenter: Gloria Chojnacki & Wanda Gorsuch, BC Farm Industry Review Board

8:00pm – 9:00pm KEYNOTE - PROGRAMS FOR INNOVATIVE LOCAL AGRICULTURE (PILA/PIAL) Ballroom Presenter: Humberto Rios Labrada

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SUNDAY , FEBRUARY 26 T H

8:30am – 9:00am Contemplating seeds and thinking about bees

Vedder/Heritage Room Bees are having a difficult time in our world. We know no definitive cause to pollinator declines, and no single or simple methodology to fix things. There are more than 400 species of native bees in BC, and a lot of learning about what can be done to improve bee health and populations. Learn more about what we know, and don’t know, and how farmers are approaching ‘farming for bees’. Presenter: Nichola Walkden, The Land Conservancy

9:00am – 10:30am Summerhill Permaculture and Biodynamic Vedder Room Examples of: Forest gardening using passive water harvesting swales, no till culinary

garden, wetland regeneration, chicken tractors, companion cropping herbs in a vineyard, the Biodynamic process; lunar calendar and the compost preparations, and future manifestations. I would like to show some photos and have a discussion about how Summerhill is evolving with permaculture and biodynamic. Presenter: Gabe Cipes, Summerhill Vineyard and Summerhill WildCrafts

9:00am – 10:30am Land Leasing Arrangements Heritage Room This open discussion will focus on experiences accessing land through leasing. Adam

Bongarzone, Matthew Stuart and Jeanette Sheehy will share their experiences leasing land in South Surrey and Sidney and will talk about the challenges and benefits facing new farmers looking for somewhere to farm. Presenter: Adam Bongarzone, Sundog Vegetables, Matthew Stuart, Training Wheels Farm & Jeanette Sheehy, Green Girl Gardens

9:00am – 10:30am Selling at BC’s Farmers’ Markets: A New Resource for Farmers and Ranchers Oak Room The rising interest in purchasing food directly from farmers has created a demand

for more farmers to sell at farmers’ markets in BC. However, selling at a farmers’ market is not for every farmer. In this workshop we will introduce the Selling at BC’s Farmers’ Markets series. This series is a business planning resource that includes profiles of BC's farmers' markets, farmer vendors (by different product categories), and market customers. Our aim is to provide farmers with ‘bottom line’ information to help them decide whether selling at a BC farmers’ market matches with their business goals. The series was produced by the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets. Presenter: Chris Hergesheimer, BC Association of Farmers Markets & Dr. David Connell, University of Northern British Columbia

New City Market - Indoor Farmers’ Market and Food Distribution Centre This workshop will give attendees an overview of a new innovative Food Hub

concept called New City Market. There will also be an opportunity to give feedback on 2 key components; indoor farmers’ market and food distribution services. New City Market`s goal is to meet the growing demand for local food in an accessible, flexible, affordable and efficient way for generations to come. It is an innovative concept called a Food Hub offering numerous business opportunities for farmers under one roof. It is planned to be a year-round weekly indoor farmers’ and chefs' market, local food distribution centre, and commercial kitchen. Presenter: Darren Stott, New City Market

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9:00am – 10:30am Parenting and Farming: A Roundtable Discussion Board Room Farming is not an easy job. Add parenting to the mix, and life can become

overwhelming pretty quickly. As more young farmers enter the field, there are increasing numbers of new farming parents. This roundtable is an opportunity for farm parents to meet, share what their challenges are and to swap ideas for balancing growing crops and kids. Facilitator: Chris Bodnar, Glen Valley Organic Farm

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Speaker and Presenter Bios

Adam Bongarzone A former secondary school science teacher, I volunteered at UBC Farm in 2009, apprenticed at Glen Valley Organic Farm in 2010, and started Sundog Vegetables on leased land in 2011. Dr. Andy Hammermeister Dr. Andy Hammermeister is the Director of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada and is Manager of the Organic Science Cluster. He has been working for OACC since 2002, conducting and facilitating organic research, extension and education work across Canada. Coming from and owning a farm and now owning a small hobby farm, he can relate to the production challenges of the farmers, while also understanding the broad needs of the organic sector across Canada. Ann Eastman Ann Eastman has worked for the Province since 2005, serving as a resource for policy development, planning and intergovernmental relations for bioproducts and other emerging sectors. In late 2008, her mandate expanded to include innovation in agriculture, food and agri-products more broadly, and ranges from work supporting value-added product development (e.g. natural health products) to bioenergy and biofuels (e.g. biomass crop evaluation). Ann has a Ph.D. in plant physiology and biotechnology from UBC, supplemented with 8 years of `real world' experience in industrial research and management at a contract research company in forest and natural products biotechnology. Prior to joining the public service, she was on the faculty at the University of Waterloo conducting research in plant tissue culture and teaching plant physiology and biotechnology. Ann's current focus is to identify the potential for the BC agriculture, food and agri-products industry to benefit from the emerging green economy and to support policy and program development to foster sector innovation. Arzeena Hamir Arzeena Hamir is an agrologist and works as the Coordinator for the Richmond Food Security Society, a non-profit group that promotes local food production and consumption. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Crop Science from the University of Guelph and her Master's degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of London, England. Arzeena worked abroad for many years as a CUSO volunteer in Thailand and as a researcher in Jamaica, India, and Bangladesh. She was the staff agrologist for West Coast seeds in the late '90s and ran her own seed company, Terra Viva Organics. Arzeena also sits on the Board of the Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project, the Richmond Schoolyard Society, and the BC Food Systems Network. In conjunctions with Kwantlen University, Arzeena helped to launch the Richmond Farm School and teaches Market Crop Production there.

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Chris Bodnar Chris Bodnar farms with his wife Paige and their three young children. Their farm business, Close to Home Organics, operates at Glen Valley Organic Farm in Abbotsford. They sell at farmers markets, to local restaurants and run a Community Supported Agriculture program. Chris teaches the business planning and goat husbandry components of the Richmond Farm School. He represents his certifying body, the BC Association for Regenerative Agriculture, on the COABC board. Prior to farming Chris tried to figure out how the world worked by studying. He holds a PhD in Communication from Carleton University. He has learned much more, though, by farming. Chris Hergesheimer Chris Hergesheimer holds a Masters degree in Sociology from SFU and has worked as a consultant, researcher and project manager for a variety of projects over the last three years. He has attended numerous conferences both as a presenter and as a participant including the Agriculture and Human Values at Penn State University (2009) and an International Panel conference dealing with issues of Food Sovereignty in Canada and abroad (2010). Chris was also an official delegate of Slow Food Vancouver at the 2011 Terra Madre Gathering in Turin, Italy. In addition to operating a local processing business in Southern BC, Chris has worked on numerous research projects examining farmers markets and local food systems over the last three years. Most recently, he worked as a Research Associate and consultant for the BC Association of Farmers Markets (BCAFM) building business case materials and delivering workshops to assist with the future planning and strong development of farmers markets in the province. Chris is also the co-author of a number of academic papers and reports about farmers markets, alternative food systems models and governance. Chris is currently an active farmers market consultant and strategist. Darren Stott Darren Stott is a business consultant specialising in developing farmers' markets and public markets. He has 14 years experience in food retail, including store management, marketing, category management and most recently as Director of Purchasing for SPUD, North America's largest organic home delivery company. Since Spring 2011 he has been part of the New City Market project in conjunction with City of Vancouver, Vancity and Vancouver Farmers' Market. New City Market is planned to be a $17m building opening in 2013 with an indoor farmers' market, commercial kitchen, food distribution support and restaurant. Dave McCandless Dave McCandless has been a farmer at Fraser Common Farm Cooperative since 1985, was on the BCARA board for 10 years, and continues to be actively involved in the organic farming community in BC. Dave has been part of the Cooperative Movement since 1976 and participated in the establishment of two cooperative farms in British Columbia. His reading on biochar led him into constructing a kiln and experimenting with the making and use of biochar on the farm.

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David Bradbeer David Bradbeer MSc, AAg (DF&WT Program Coordinator) obtained a B.Sc. in Agroecology from the UBC in 2004 and a Master’s degree in Animal Science from UBC in 2007. His thesis examined snow goose use of farmland habitat during winter. Since completing his thesis, he has worked for DF&WT, Canadian Wildlife Service and US Fish and Wildlife on a variety of waterfowl projects. In his position at DF&WT, David is responsible for developing, administering and evaluating the effectiveness of land stewardship programs. David's professional interests range from grassland raptor conservation, to long-term soil management to the cultivation of unique varieties of sweet potato. Dr. David Connell Dr. David Connell is an Associate Professor in the School of Environmental Planning at the University of Northern British Columbia. He draws upon his varied experiences in community, economic, and business development to help build the capacity of local food systems as a foundation for societal change. Recent research includes business planning for farmers market vendors, agricultural planning, agricultural adaptation to climate change, and studies of the social and economic benefits of farmers markets in BC in Canada. Doe Gregoire Doe Gregoire (Chartered Herbalist) was a farm worker for many years before being the sole proprietor of her organic orchard/herb gardens, Four Winds Farm since 1988. Now retired from orcharding she began where she left off in 1984 (received a grant to investigate a need for a campground) She voluntarily created in 2009 a non-profit society, solicited funds and received funding from various organizations government and private donors, worked with the local council members and kept the issue alive by writing several articles in the local newspaper. After two seasons of managing a campground outside of Keremeos on Crown land there are questions whether there should even be one for the workers. Gabe Cipes Returning to B.C. from Arizona in 2007 I attended the Selkirk College Permaculture design course in Winlaw with my brother Ezra. Together we created the no till Culinary Garden for the Summerhill Organic Sunset Bistro. For the next couple of years we envisioned the future with family and friends and continued research into indigenous ecology, gardening and Viticulture. I’ve had many mentors as well as self-directed study. I learned natural earth building at the Cob Cottage in Oregon and have since been worked with Artist Moose of the Osoyoos Indian Band and members of the community to build a native Okanagan Kekuli adjacent to the riparian zone that runs through the Summerhill conservation nature preserve. In 2010 I joined as a director of the Biodynamic Agriculture Society of BC and began making and sourcing the 9 biodynamic preparations for Demeter status of Summerhill Vineyard and culinary Gardens. Demeter is the oldest Organic certification and Summerhill is the first Vineyard in the Okanagan Region to receive the status. We’ve been creating diversity; inter-planting Perennial herbs in the vineyards and creating fruit trees Guilds to naturalize with passive water harvesting techniques on the edges of the farm. We created the company Summerhill Organic Wildcrafts as an outlet for wild crafted herbs and plant technologies.

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Glen Flett In trouble with the law since he was a child, Glen spent twenty-three years behind bars. He was sentenced to 21 years to life in 1980 for shooting to death a Hudson's Bay store manager during a Brink's holdup in Toronto. After years of living a violent crime filled life, Glen became a Christian while he was at Kent Institution in 1982. He is the founder of L.I.N.C. (Long-term Inmates Now in the Community), a non profit registered charity that was founded in 1992. L.I.N.C. is contracted by the Correctional Service of Canada to provide support services to long-term and chronic offenders in the community under its long-term offender community reintegration programme. It is also contracted by CORCAN-Pacific Region to provide employment services to people on conditional release in the Fraser Valley. L.I.N.C. works with survivors of homicide, putting on forums for National Victims of Crime Awareness week; completing a feasibility study on a healing centre for survivors of homicide. Glen is the manager of the award winning Soapbox Community Organic Garden in Mission. Gloria Chojnacki Gloria Chojnacki is Case Manager with the BC Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB). For the past 3 years she has been managing a wide array of farm practices complaints across the province. She is experienced in collaborative conflict resolution as well as the formal process of BCFIRB hearings. She offers a wealth of ‘real life’ examples on proactive measures to reduce the risk of complaints, as well as what to do if a complaint arises. Humberto Ríos Labrada Graduated in 1984 as Agronomist in Higher Pedagogical Institute for Technical and Professional Education. Lecturer of plant breeding and experimental designs 12 years. PhD in Agricultural Sciences in 1999. Alumni of International Centre for Research Oriented in Agriculture. Member of the Latinoamerican Initiative for Bulding Capacity in Rural Innovation. Member of Participatory Plant Breeding in Mesoamerica . He has been involved in participatory research in Ghana, Holland, Venezuela, Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, Colombia and Cuba and received Rural Innovation Award from International Agriculture Centre, Wageningen for its results in Participatory Plant Breeding. Humberto Rios has been coordinating Agricultural Local Innovation Programme during 10 years in Cuba. He has lectured on participatory approaches in Agriculture in several countries as Canada, Mexico, Norway, United Kingdom, Holland, Germany, Malaysia, China, Syria, Ethiopia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, Brazil and Venezuela. Recently received the Goldman Award due its contribution to agriculture transformation in Cuba. Nowadays Ríos is coaching some action research initiatives in Cuba, Spain, Central Asia and Bolivia.

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Jackie Wepruk Jackie Wepruk has been the general manager of the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) since its inception in 2005. Prior to this, she did project-based work with the Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) Association and industry groups, advancing farm animal welfare. Projects included two Alberta horse welfare reports, a “downer” benchmarking project, and initiatives to enhance the handling of cull dairy cows. She was also the writer of the Livestock Welfare INSIGHTS publication for many years. Jackie facilitates the NFACC member partnership that includes governments, farmed animal industries, the veterinary community, the humane movement and other allied groups. She assists NFACC’s partners in achieving practical solutions to farm animal welfare concerns, addressing the interests of farmers, domestic and export markets, governments and the Canadian public. In 1985 Jackie obtained her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Winnipeg, and in 1999, a M.Sc. of Environmental Design from the University of Calgary. Jeanette Lee Jeanette Lee, owner/operator of Frankenthorn Farms situated in the Kootenays, specializes in certified organic herbs, botanicals/berry production with a primary focus on the natural health product sector. She has maintained a Hawthorn agroforestry alley cropping demonstration site since 2004. Jeanette is president and a founding director of the Naturally Grown Herb and Spice Producers Cooperative (HerbPro) and has a keen interest in environmentally sustainable production practices. Jeanette Sheehy Jeanette Sheehy is a food sovereignty advocate and former farmer. She co-owned and operated Green Girl Gardens for two years, an organic plant start and flower business, where she leased farmland in Central Saanich on Vancouver Island. She was the Campaign Coordinator for the Co-op Action Network, a group working to preserve farmland and promote local food on Vancouver Island. She is also part of Rainbow Chard, a queer and queer-allied farmers collective. Jeanette now works at LifeCycles, a Victoria-based non-profit that works towards food sovereignty through educational programming, community gardens, and urban agriculture. Jessica Dennis Jessica Dennis is currently a student in the final year of an Agroecology degree at UBC. Jessica worked on a farm in central Saanich for three years prior to being in school and worked at the UBC farm while in school. Jessica was hired as a research intern under the supervision of Hannah Wittman at SFU and Mark Johnson at UBC, and together with Dave designed and implemented controlled biochar field trials and potting mix trials at FCFC last summer. John & Katy Erlich John and Katy own and operate Alderlea Biodynamic Farm CSA and Cafe, since 2003. John has been farming for over 20 years.

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Jordan Marr With his partner Vanessa, Jordan Marr runs a 1.5 acre organic market garden in Peachland, BC, selling produce via local box delivery and at farmers’ markets. In 2011, he worked with SOIL (Stewards of Irreplaceable Land, an organization that helps aspiring farmers find farming apprenticeships) to implement the SOIL Ambassadors Pilot Project. The project aims to provide support and advice to new apprentices by connecting them with alumni of SOIL apprenticeships. Jordan also publishes a farming blog at theruminant.ca Kent Mullinix Kent Mullinix joined the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture (ISH) at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia, Canada in 2007. He is Director- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security. Previously Mullinix held the Endowed Joint Chair in Pomology and was an Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Washington State University and concurrently Director of Agriculture Programs at Wenatchee Valley College. Mullinix has developed many technical, incumbent workforce and undergraduate education programs and recently lead development of a Bachelor of Applied Science- Sustainable Agriculture at K.P.U. He has developed and taught many agriculture courses including Plant Science, Soil Management, Ecologically Based Pest Management, Pomology, World Trends in Agriculture and Sustainable Agriculture- Food Systems. Mullinix has lived and worked on a diversified family farm in central Missouri, owned and operated a pear orchard on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, and for 14 years provided direct oversight for the planning, establishment and management of a 45 acre organically farmed apple, sweet cherry and peach teaching and demonstration orchard. Marjean Fichtenberg Marjean Fichtenberg is the mother of a murder victim. She is a past board member of Citizens United for Safety and Justice, the first victims' advocate group in Canada. Marjean is also a member of the Canadian Association of Victim Advocates (CAVA) board. In 1996, she was instrumental in establishing a victims' advisory committee to the Correctional Service of Canada, and the National Parole Board in the Pacific Region. For the past five years, she has served on the board of directors for the Ottawa-based Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime. She has given numerous presentations and workshops to various key players and groups in the criminal justice system. Marjean is vice chair of the L.I.N.C. Society Board of directors. Matthew Stuart Matthew Stuart is a new farmer currently leasing land in Surrey BC. After developing a farmers market in Calgary, AB and working with the Surrey Urban Farmers Market for two years Matthew decided to try his hand at farming. The 2011 growing season saw the development of Matthew’s first farm – Training Wheels Farm. Matthew is working hard to learn about farming, and has high hopes for using farming to build community – he would love to see young people getting involved with food production. Matthew is also working with a number of Surrey Farmers to create the Sur-Del Farmers Cooperative and to develop a community farm in the city.

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Mojave Kaplan Mojave Kaplan, aka Seed Warrioress is the central grower, co-ordinator, and co-creator of Planting Seeds Project. She has been involved since 1990 in the lobby and education for small farm scale production of open pollinated seeds. She has also developed the Youth in Agriculture program to work with apprentices to pass on her passion and knowledge. We are honoured and inspired by her reverence at being a part of life's evolution. She stresses the importance of passing on the stories carried within each seed along with the germplasm. Come and experience her hands on style of mentoring. Nichola Walkden Nichola Walkden is Deputy Executive Director of The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC). Her key area of responsibility is agricultural programs, focusing on farm land security and affordable access by farmers as well as the conservation and stewardship of agricultural land. Nichola has been with TLC for 15 years where she was a founding volunteer and first employee. In her role at TLC she has guided the development of native grassland conservation projects, the Conservation Partners Program and TLC’s Nature Conservation Projects. Paddy Doherty Paddy Doherty has been active in the organic movement for many years; being the co-ordinator of the Canada Organic Initiative Project (2003-2008) to develop an organic regulation for Canada. He is currently the Code Development Manager for the ISEAL Alliance, as well as managing the Organic Sector Development Program (OSDP) for the COABC. Peter Doig Peter Doig is a biochemist and professional agrologist with a master’s degree in bioresource engineering. He has over 10 years of experience in the development of bio-products and bioprocess technology for horticulture, composting, wastewater treatment and nutrient reclamation and reuse. Peter has worked in academic, government, and private sector settings and his projects have received several National Research Council IRAP grants, BC Innovation Council grants, CRA’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credits as well the National Award for Excellence in Innovation by CIPA. He has hands-on and management experience in commercial organic greenhouse and field production and is experienced in environmental monitoring and protection and the integration of innovation technology. Raised in one of Ontario’s original farming communities, Peter moved to BC in 2001, and lived in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley before making the Sunshine Coast his home in the fall of 2010. Peter joined Upland Consulting full-time in the summer of 2011; his work is currently focused on municipal composting and community-scale organic agriculture. Raul Gatica Raul Gatica is an Indigenous poet and journalist who has been living as a political refugee in Vancouver since 2006. In Mexico he suffered torture and imprisonment because of his struggle to protect Indigenous lands, culture, and rights. He was also a teacher representative, and a member of both the National Indigenous Congress and of CIPO-RFM. In Canada, Raul took on jobs as a painter, a dishwasher, and an office cleaner. Currently, however, he is the Coordinator of the Agriculture Workers

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Alliance at the Support Center in Surrey, BC for migrant farm workers. His is also the director of the radio show Echoes of my People at Co-op radio in Vancouver, the Coordinator of the Spanish writers workshop at Rhizome Café, and the cofounder of the Latin American Trade Union Coalition, BC (LATUC-BC), the Coalition of Justice for Migrant Workers, and CIPO-Van. Raul has received several awards for his work as a writer and an activist; he has also published hundreds of articles and five books; his last, Walking Barefoot, is bilingual (English-Spanish). His new book The Invisibles, stories of the seasonal farm workers in Canada, will be finished in 2012. Robert Hettler Robert Hettler is a certified organic grower of the last 21 plus years who along with his wife Kathryn operate Pilgrims Produce in Armstrong, BC. Pilgrims Produce is a 14 acre market garden, with also a permaculture portion of the farm which includes fruit, raspberries, native fruits as well as nut trees. The vegetable portion of the farm (about 10 acres) also is highly diversified from asparagus to zucchini grown. The farm also includes operation of six high tunnels covering 16,000 square feet for early season growing as well as protected growing of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in summer. Rochelle Eisen The backbone of Rochelle’s expertise is her 26 years of assurance (verification, certification and standards), extension and consulting work in and outside the organic sphere. She also works in a collaborative relationship with Dr. Brenda Frick and Gunta Vitins under the banner of Resilient Solutions Consulting – “A diverse, skilled and experienced agri-business consulting team that influences positive change through an innovative and open minded approach.” Rochelle is involved with the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Salmon Safe agriculture program which is focused on watershed health sufficient for native salmon to spawn and thrive. She is also a reviewer for ISEAL’s Standard-Setting Code of Good Practice, for the WWF’s Sustainable Aquaculture Dialogues, the BC Wine Authority and holds a position on both the CFIA’s Standards Interpretation Committee and Canada’s Organic Value Chain Roundtable. Sara Dent Sara Dent is a permaculture educator and arts-based facilitator with a dozen years’ experience working with arts, youth and social change organizations. Sara is currently the project lead with Young Agrarians, across Canada media and grassroots campaign directed at connecting existing young farmers and growing new ones. Sara began working on farms in 2005 as a WWOOFer, and in 2008 completed the Linnaea Ecological Garden Program. She continued to study and work on the land between B.C. and Mexico, documenting farms and ecological systems. In 2011, Sara moved back to Vancouver and began teaching permaculture in the Downtown Eastside, working out of SOLEFood Farm and Cottonwood Community Garden. Sara loves combining large-scale group facilitation and permaculture education to create collaborative spaces for community growth and ecological revival! For more information please visit: www.saradent.ca and www.farmlove.org. The Young Agrarians website will be up Spring 2012.

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Seann Dory Seann J Dory is the Co-Director of SOLEfood Farm. Before starting SOLEfood Farm, Seann was the Manager of Sustainability at United We Can a Vancouver charity creating employment opportunities for inner city residents through environmental enterprises. Seann speaks regularly about food, sustainability and inner city development and has presented at the EAT! Vancouver Festival and the Projecting Change Film Festival. Seann is a founding member of the Young Agrarians – an initiative to recruit, promote, and support young farmers in Canada. Seann is a graduate of the Sustainable Community Development program at Simon Fraser University and a member of the National Farmers Union. Shauna Gavigan Originally from the South Okanagan, Shauna & Nevin Gavigan moved their farm from Osoyoos, BC to Yarrow Ecovillage Community Farm in 2010. They live at Yarrow Ecovillage, and have a 2.5acre farm there that provides farm fresh, certified organic produce to the Ecovillage and the surrounding communities through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Harvest Box program. They also attend Farmer's Markets throughout the lower mainland, and supply restaurants in Chilliwack, BC. Check out Yarrow Ecovillage Community Farm's blog for more info: yecfarm.blogspot.com Susan Davidson Susan Davidson farms with the Glorious Organics Co-op at Fraser Common Farm Co-op in Aldergrove. She is a passionate eater of all things local. She has been active with the Vancouver Farmers Markets for sixteen years as a vendor and on the Board and Vendors Advisory Committee and is helping to establish the Langley Community Farmers Market. As a member of the BCSeeds steering committee she works with Farm Folk City Folk to nurture and network organic seed growing collectives through out the province. Her learning (and teaching) style favours direct participation and collaboration - hence the Seed Room. Come on by to share your hot tips, spectacular failures, and of course seeds! Tamara Bonnemaison Tamara Bonnemaison was raised on an organic farm, and has been running her own organic market farm (Osprey Organic Farm) for four years. Last year, Tamara moved her farm to the Yarrow Ecovillage Community Farm, and was named Farm Manager of the Community Farm. As farm manager, Tamara has obtained grants and oversaw the work to bring power and a well to the farm's North 15 acres, allowing this community farm to expand dramatically. With other farmers, Tamara has supplied the local community with a CSA box, and has sold regularly at Vancouver Farmer's Markets. Tom Henry Tom Henry is the editor of Small Farm Canada, a national publication about small-scale agriculture. He farms in Metchosin, raising heritage pigs, sheep and chicken as well as a variety of grains, including milling wheat for local bakeries.

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Walter Bergen Walter is a survivor of institutional employment. After completing two masters degrees Walter worked for four years in the Former Soviet Union before embarking on a twelve year white shirt, suit and tie fundraising career where he met many successful, inspiring business people. Currently, and since 2005 the co-owner of Six Masters Farm, a restaurant supply-recycling company-becoming bio-dynamic mixed farm located within sight of Mt. Cheam with three happy dogs. Wanda Gorsuch Wanda Gorsuch is currently an Issues Management Analyst with the BC Farm Industry Review Board. As a volunteer board member with the Haliburton Community Organic Farm Society she has knowledge of the challenges of being a good farm neighbour in an urban environment (both sides of the fence). Previously she worked as a private contractor providing information research and writing services for sustainable agriculture projects. On her own initiative, she is working with other stakeholders to build ecological goods and services programming for BC farmers and ranchers. She has a BSc in Conservation Biology, an MA in Environment and Management and is a Professional Agrologist.

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