The New Farm Development Initiative ran October 1st, 2012 to March 31st 2014. The Initiative sought to increase the number of successful new farm entrants in the BC Highway 16 region from Valemount to Terrace by building and enhancing training and mentoring opportunities and increasing access to farm land and capital for new farm entrants.
Main activities included:
- Development of agricultural training and internship programs for new farmers in the region
- Raising awareness of the region’s agricultural opportunities and challenges to potential farmers within and beyond the region
- Improving access to the region’s farmland for new farmers
Publications
The hallmark publication of this Initiative, the A-Z Guide for New Northern Farmers, is available for download by clicking on the image below (1.3MB file size). Print copies of the guide can be requested from the Beyond the Market office.
Other published resources include a list of agricultural training, learning and employment resources in the region, and a list of recommended book titles for farming in northern BC.
Print copies available at the following locations. Please note locations outside of Prince George will not receive copies until the week of April 7-11, 2014 due to shipping delays :
Robson-Canoe Valley:
- McBride Library
- Valemount Library
- Jackie Edwards
Prince George:
- Home Sweet Home Grocery
- Prince George Public Library
- Regional District Fraser Fort George
- Community Futures Fraser Fort George
Vanderhoof:
- Community Futures Stuart Nechako
- Glen Dale Agra Services
- Vanderhoof Coop
Fort St. James: District of Fort St. James
Burns Lake: Regional District Bulkley Nechako
Houston: Community Futures Nadina
Southside: Southside Economic Development Office
Smithers:
- Smithers Farmers’ Institute
- Smithers Feed Store
- Northwest Trade Expo (May 2nd and 3rd, 2014)
Hazelton: Upper Skeen Development Centre
Terrace:
- Regional District Kitimat Stikine
- Diana Penner
Presentations
The Initiative developed and hosted several seminars, networking events, and presentations. Below is a sample of what was offered. Organizations interested in running these seminars and presentations in their communities should contact the Beyond the Market office for further details.
A video recording of our Root Cellar Design Workshop can be viewed online, and DVD copies can be ordered through our office.
Acknowledgements
The New Farm Development Initiative was been made possible by funding from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition, the Real Estate Foundation of BC, and the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC through the programs it delivers on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the BC Ministry of Agriculture