Thursday, December 29, 2011

Agroforestry Session at the 2012 Hort Growers Short Course

The Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Association (LMHIA), with funding from the British Columbia Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative, is pleased to sponsor an agroforestry educational session at the 2012 Horticulture Growers Short Course.

The Horticulture Growers Short Course will be held in partnership with Pacific Agriculture Show, January 26-28, 2012 at the Tradex Exhibition Center (Abbotsford Airport) in Abbotsford, BC.

The Agroforestry Session will take place on Saturday, January 28 from 9 am to 12 pm in the Lobby Room at Tradex. It will be chaired by Dave Trotter, Agroforestry Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture. The session agenda is as follows:

09:00 - 09:30
Agroforestry Initiative - Current Projects and Funding Opportunities

George Powell, BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative 

The Agroforestry Initiative has cost-share funding for projects which benefit industry development including demonstrations, workshops etc; Outlines of current and pending projects will be provided.

09:30 - 10:00
Ideas, Opportunities & Resources – An Agroforestry Retrospective

Harold Macy, Headquarters Creek Woodlot, Merville, BC
Harold will provide an overview of the synergies and considerations from his many years of experience managing a woodlot using a forest farming agroforestry systems approach.


10:00 – 10:30
Break

Harold Macy will highlight his new book: “The Four Storey Forest: As Grow the Trees, So too the Heart”.


10:30 – 11:00

Silvopasture and Range Considerations in BC - Pilot Initiatives for a Production Approach
Lisa Zabek, Ministry of Agriculture, Kamloops, BC
Learn about the new steps that are being developed to support silvopasture as a land use option in BC.


11:00 - 11:30
Huckleberries: Management Strategies for Agroforesters

Ali Kennedy, Keefer Ecological Services Ltd., Cranbrook, BC
Ali will look at the variety of berry species along with the biological and management considerations needed to develop an agroforestry system approach to huckleberries.


11:30 – 12:00
Exploring the Possibilities of Integrated Riparian Management in BC

Dave Trotter, Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, BC
Dave will discuss management considerations for the development of an integrated riparian management systems approach to specialty crops on agricultural lands.

For registration information, or to register online, please visit www.agricultureshow.net or phone 604-556-3001 or 604-857-0318.

Registration fees for the entire Horticulture Growers Short Course (including the Agroforestry Session) are $67.00 (by January 9) or $90.00 (after January 9). Registration fees include membership to the LMHIA, attendance at any or all educational sessions, admittance to the Pacific Agriculture Show, admittance to welcome reception and free parking.

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Funding for this work has been provided through the BC Agroforestry Industry Development Initiative (AGF1104)