MARCH
CANCELLED
TFA has taken the difficult step of cancelling our Spring Gardening Fair & Seed Swap on March 21st in an effort to support the Provincial (and worldwide) effort to “flatten the curve” of this virus so that our Health Services will not become overwhelmed. Even though we don’t anticipate the number of attendees to reach 250 we know that cancelling this event is the right thing to do for our community. Daily updates and information that we are receiving about the coronavirus in B.C. and the North reinforce that decision. We will look for an opportunity to sell the wonderful selection of seeds we had purchased for the Fair from West Coast Seeds and the Mason Bee Cocoons, so look for an upcoming notice about this. Thank you to all our wonderful supporters for your understanding of this decision; the response this year from our Fair participants was overwhelming and would have helped make it one of our best and most comprehensive Fairs to date.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
5:30 pm Monday, February 24, 2020 at
Terrace Public Library Meeting Room
Call 250-638-1594 for info
EVERYONE IS WELCOME
Interested in local food systems and security? You’re invited to an afternoon of connecting with local farmers, food producers at the second annual Skeena-Bulkley Valley Meet and Greet.
Join Vicky and Chris of Thimbleberry Farm – Terrace, BC for an afternoon of networking and idea-sharing. Make new connections and strengthen old ones among the region’s agricultural community members.
This casual afternoon will consist of an introduction circle, farm tour, and potluck grazing table. Bring a snack or dish to share, and get ready to make new farm friends and expand your support network!
WHEN: Saturday, March 7, 2020 | 2–6PM
WHERE: Thimbleberry Farm, 2206 Archer Avenue, Terrace, BC, V8G 1E7
BRING: Please bring warm clothes, a dish or snack for sharing, and a lawn chair if possible. We will have a bonfire, but will be prepared to host indoors if required.
Please invite all your farmy friends! Also feel free to share on any community pages or message boards.
RIDESHARE: If you are coming to Terrace from away, and need a ride OR can offer someone a ride, please post in the Facebook event discussion.
Schedule:
2:00PM – Start Time
3:00PM – Intro Circle
3:45PM – Farm Tour
6:00PM – End Time
We aim:
• To connect farmers operating in the Skeena and Bulkley regions to one another;
• To connect established farmers with experience and knowledge with young farmers and individuals who are interested in working in agriculture;
• To connect those seeking land for agriculture with those who have it;
• To determine what our farming community needs in terms of support and information, with the goal of organizing further social events, workshops, and information sessions through government and agricultural organizations such as Young Agrarians.
We are looking forward to connecting with our fellow farmers!
Learn more about the event and about Thimbleberry Farm at https://youngagrarians.org/skeena-bulkley-farmers-meet/
FEBRUARY
Incorporating Organic and Good Agricultural Practices
This educational event is designed to connect local food producers, backyard farmers and community members while exploring alternative methods of growing food.
Saturday, February 1st, 2020. 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m
Sportsplex Banquet Room. 3320 Kalum St, Terrace, B.C.
Lunch provided, please RSVP
Cost: by donation
Please register here
This is a ZERO WASTE EVENT. BYOC – Bring your own container (cups, cutlery, plate, bowl )
Program:
9:30 am – Registration
10:00 am – Welcome. Introduction of Terrace Food Association
10:15 am – BC Ministry of Agriculture Services and Resources available in our region – John Stevenson
10:45 am –Challenges & Opportunities: Organic Standards, Saving Seeds & Land Matching – Jolene Swain.
Organic. What does it mean, who is it for, and why bother? Join Jolene for a journey into the organic standards as they apply to crops, livestock and processing. Where to find them, what they mean, why you should care whether you are a grower, gardener or consumer. There will also be the opportunity for some discussion around growing seed crops in the North, and an introduction to the B.C. Land Matching Program delivered by Young Agrarians.
12:00 pm – Lunch Break. Food for Thought.
12:45 pm – Steps to Organic Certification: Remo Harvest Experience – Kevin Murphy
1:30 pm – Food Production: Best Growing Practices – Judy Walker
Info on soil preparation, purchase of organic amendments, usage on main crops, with attention to problem solving.
2:15 pm – Coffee Break
2:30 pm – Permaculture Designs that Sustain Healthy Gardens and Healthy Produce – Carolanne Rauschenberger
3:15 pm – Open Mic
3:30 pm – Wrap-up, closing thoughts
Speakers:
*John Stevenson – Regional Agrologist of BC Ministry of Agriculture
*Jolene Swain – Market gardener at WoodGrain Farm in the Kispiox Valley. She holds a Masters in Biology, is an Organic Farm Inspector and the Young Agrarians Land Matcher for Central & Northern B.C.
*Judy Walker – Teaches at Green Skills. She is an RN, farm hobbyist, and the author of Judy Walker’s Garden Guide.
*Kevin Murphy – along with his wife Mandy owns and operates Remo Harvest, a Certified Organic Farm, in Terrace, BC.
* Carolanne Rauschenberger – along with her husband Gunther, they have been involved in experimenting with permaculture designs in order to develop integrative systems that function to produce healthy heirloom food sources on a 5 acre hobby farm in Terrace, BC. She has studied permaculture but their greatest learning was in working with their landscape within the context of our boreal northern climate. She manages Northern BC Seed and Plant Swap facebook group.
Facilitator:
* Anna Silva – Teaches at Green Skills. She has a Biology and Master Degree in Environmental Chemistry.