BC Climate Change Adaptation Program

Central Okanagan Field Day > Postharvest Deficit Irrigation for Improving Sweet Cherry Resilience to Climate Change
2022-09-08 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
What:

Join Dr. Louise Nelson and graduate students Kirsten Bevandick and Elizabeth Houghton from the University of British Columbia (Okanagan) for a field tour where they will discuss the methods and results of a three-year study researching the effects of reduced postharvest irrigation on sweet cherry plant function and fruit yield and quality.
About the Research:
Postharvest deficit irrigation (PDI) can reduce water demands in sweet cherry orchards and decreasing postharvest watering by up to 25 % in the Okanagan Valley has been found to not significantly affect plant function, growth, or fruit yield and quality. However, the effects of further postharvest water reductions were unknown. To extend current knowledge of the upper limits of PDI that can be applied, full irrigation of growers practice (100%) and water reductions of 27-33% full irrigation and 47-52% full irrigation were applied postharvest in five commercial sweet cherry orchards that ranged in elevation and latitude in the Okanagan Valley over a three-year period (2019-2021). Plant water status, photosynthesis, growth, flower bud spring phenology, cold hardiness, and fruit yield and quality were measured during this study to determine how these irrigations reductions influenced these aspects of plant functioning.
When & Where:
Tamaki Lane, Kelowna, BC V1P 1L9
Thursday, September 8th
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The field site is located in a cherry orchard just behind Hillcrest Market, off Highway 33, on Tamaki Lane, Kelowna, BC V1P 1L9. Turn off Highway 33 onto Bal Place and turn right, following Bal Place, until you reach a large, paved turn around that connects to Tamaki Lane. Please park your vehicle in the paved turn around and head through the orchard gates and follow the signs to our study plot.
Register:
For more information, and to RSVP to this event, please visit: https://forms.gle/qyqnE8By3fErWmhi8Have questions? Please contact Elizabeth at elizabeth.houghton@ubc.ca

South Okanagan Field Day > Postharvest Deficit Irrigation for Improving Sweet Cherry Resilience to Climate Change
2022-09-09 13:00 - 15:00
What:

Join Dr. Louise Nelson and graduate students Kirsten Bevandick and Elizabeth Houghton from the University of British Columbia (Okanagan) for a field tour where they will discuss the methods and results of a three-year study researching the effects of reduced postharvest irrigation on sweet cherry plant function and fruit yield and quality.
About the Research:
Postharvest deficit irrigation (PDI) can reduce water demands in sweet cherry orchards and decreasing postharvest watering by up to 25 % in the Okanagan Valley has been found to not significantly affect plant function, growth, or fruit yield and quality. However, the effects of further postharvest water reductions were unknown. To extend current knowledge of the upper limits of PDI that can be applied, full irrigation of growers practice (100%) and water reductions of 27-33% full irrigation and 47-52% full irrigation were applied postharvest in five commercial sweet cherry orchards that ranged in elevation and latitude in the Okanagan Valley over a three-year period (2019-2021). Plant water status, photosynthesis, growth, flower bud spring phenology, cold hardiness, and fruit yield and quality were measured during this study to determine how these irrigations reductions influenced these aspects of plant functioning.
When & Where:
12501 Jones Flat Rd, Summerland BC V0H 1Z3
Friday, September 9th
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The field site is located in a cherry orchard at 12501 Jones Flat Rd, Summerland BC V0H 1Z3. Please park along the road, not in the driveway, when you arrive. Enter the orchard and follow the signs to the study plot.
Register:
For more information, and to RSVP to this event, please visit: https://forms.gle/qyqnE8By3fErWmhi8Have questions? Please contact Elizabeth at elizabeth.houghton@ubc.ca

West Kootenay Riparian Health Field Day > Riparian Management on Farmland
2022-09-13 09:00 - 13:00 | Climate adaptation research for BC agriculture
West Kootenay Field Day > Riparian Management on Farmland
What:
Join Lee Hesketh of the Farmland Riparian Interface Stewardship Program (FRISP) and Gregoire Lamoureux of the Slocan River Streamkeepers for a field day this September!
At each session, a local Environmental Farm Planner (EFP) and members of local stream keepers will be present to answer regionally specific questions. This is an opportunity for attendees connect with EFP planners and local groups for longer-term support to carry out riparian projects on their farms.
This field day will include:

How to assess your riparian area
Why protecting your riparian area is important
Low cost, simple solutions that will protect your land from flooding and bank erosion, including live staking, cattle fencing, irrigation intake concepts and other ideas
Guidance on where to start, the different pathways for project implementation and sources of funding

When & Where:
Tue, 13 September 2022
Fairfield Farms
11650 Brown Creek Road, Grand Forks BC
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PDT
**Please note that Google GPS may lead you astray. Additional directions will be sent via email to registered participants.
Register:
To register for the West Kootenay field day session in Grand Forks at Fairfield Farm on Tuesday September 13th, click here.
To register for the Central Kootenay field day session in Vallican/Winlaw at Elk Root Conservation Farm/Crooked Horn Farm on Wednesday September 14th, click here.
To register for the East Kootenay field day session in Skookumchuck at BE Ranch on September 15th, click here.

Central Kootenay Riparian Health Field Day > Riparian Management on Farmland
2022-09-14 09:00 - 13:00
Central Kootenay Field Day > Riparian Management on Farmland
What:
Join Lee Hesketh of the Farmland Riparian Interface Stewardship Program (FRISP) and Gregoire Lamoureux of the Slocan River Streamkeepers for a field day this September!
At each session, a local Environmental Farm Planner (EFP) and members of local stream keepers will be present to answer regionally specific questions. This is an opportunity for attendees connect with EFP planners and local groups for longer-term support to carry out riparian projects on their farms.
This field day will include:

How to assess your riparian area
Why protecting your riparian area is important
Low cost, simple solutions that will protect your land from flooding and bank erosion, including live staking, cattle fencing, irrigation intake concepts and other ideas
Guidance on where to start, the different pathways for project implementation and sources of funding

When & Where:
Wed, 14 September 2022
Elk Root Conservation Farm/Crooked Horn Farm
Vallican BC/Winlaw BC
4010 Passmore Lower Road, Winlaw BC
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PDT
**Please note that Google GPS may lead you astray. Additional directions will be sent via email to registered participants.
Register:
To register for the West Kootenay field day session in Grand Forks at Fairfield Farm on Tuesday September 13th, click here.
To register for the Central Kootenay field day session in Vallican/Winlaw at Elk Root Conservation Farm/Crooked Horn Farm on Wednesday September 14th, click here.
To register for the East Kootenay field day session in Skookumchuck at BE Ranch on September 15th, click here.

East Kootenay Riparian Health Field Day > Riparian Management on Farmland
2022-09-15 09:00 - 13:00 | Climate & Agriculture Initiative BC
East Kootenay Field Day > Riparian Management on Farmland
What:
Join Lee Hesketh of the Farmland Riparian Interface Stewardship Program (FRISP) and Gregoire Lamoureux of the Slocan River Streamkeepers for a field day this September!
At each session, a local Environmental Farm Planner (EFP) and members of local stream keepers will be present to answer regionally specific questions. This is an opportunity for attendees connect with EFP planners and local groups for longer-term support to carry out riparian projects on their farms.
This field day will include:

How to assess your riparian area
Why protecting your riparian area is important
Low cost, simple solutions that will protect your land from flooding and bank erosion, including live staking, cattle fencing, irrigation intake concepts and other ideas
Guidance on where to start, the different pathways for project implementation and sources of funding

When & Where:
Thursday, 15 September 2022
BE Ranch, Skookumchuck BC
5116 Bradford Road, Skookumchuk BC
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PDT
**Please note that Google GPS may lead you astray. Additional directions will be sent via email to registered participants.
Register:
To register for the West Kootenay field day session in Grand Forks at Fairfield Farm on Tuesday September 13th, click here.
To register for the Central Kootenay field day session in Vallican/Winlaw at Elk Root Conservation Farm/Crooked Horn Farm on Wednesday September 14th, click here.
To register for the East Kootenay field day session in Skookumchuck at BE Ranch on September 15th, click here.

Pasture Walk > Multi-functional Pasture Rejuvenation in the Cariboo
2022-10-05 14:00 - 17:00
Pasture Walk > Multi-functional Pasture Rejuvenation in the Cariboo
What:
Come learn about the Multi-functional Pasture Rejuvenation in the Cariboo Project, led by Thompson Rivers University.
The project is focused on assessing management methods to address woody encroachment in pastures and pasture rejuvenation practices, including grazing pressure, mechanical brushing and forage seeding, alone and in combination.
Plus, enjoy a LiDAR Drone Demonstration from Dr. John Church!
When & Where:
Wednesday, 5 October 2022
100 Mile House, BC
Upper Houseman Road
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT
**Please note that additional directions will be sent via email to registered participants.
Register:

RSVP to this event be emailing communications@bcforagecouncil.com

Vancouver Island Field Day > Alternative Annual Silage Crops
2022-11-30 13:00 - 15:00
Vancouver Island Field Day > Alternative Annual Silage Crops
What:

Join us for an on-farm presentation by Graeme Fowler on the results and lessons from a two-year demonstration project of Alternative Annual Silage Crops on Vancouver Island.
Learn how different cereal, grass, and legume mixes performed on Vancouver Island and how they can benefit your dairy or livestock operation. Attendance is free, but registration is required.
Lunch will be provided.
When & Where:

Wednesday, November 30th
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Chemainus, BC
**Please note that Google GPS may lead you astray. Additional directions will be sent via email to registered participants.
Register:

Vancouver Island Field Day > Alternative Annual Silage Crops Tickets, Wed, 30 Nov 2022 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite

Love Your Pollinators Webinar > Bulkley-Nechako and Fraser Fort George
2023-02-14 11:30 - 12:30
Love Your Pollinators Webinar > Bulkley-Nechako and Fraser Fort George
What:

A Webinar for Farmers, Ranchers, and Pollinator Lovers in Bulkley-Nechako and Fraser Fort George! After two years of field research (working closely with farm/ranch cooperators) we know a lot more about pollinator populations in agricultural areas of Bulkley-Nechako and Fraser-Fort George.
Join us for this interactive webinar to learn about:

Common pollinators you may encounter on your farms and ranches
How climate affects pollinator biodiversity
Actions you can take to show pollinators love including:

Preserving forested patches
Planting or preserving high-value local flora (including trees and shrubs)
Diversifying seeding mixes
Harvest methods: grazing vs. mowing

When & Where:

Tuesday, February 14th from 11:30am – 12:30pm
Bring a lunch and your questions!
Register:

Love Your Pollinators Webinar > Bulkley-Nechako and Fraser Fort George Tickets, Tue, 14 Feb 2023 at 11:30 AM | Eventbrite

Irrigation Workshop for Farmers and Ranchers: Improving Water-Use Efficiency to Manage Dry Conditions
2023-03-09 09:00 - 10:30 | Pipe design: irrigate better with Bruce Naka
Irrigation Workshop for Farmers and Ranchers: Improving Water-Use Efficiency to Manage Dry Conditions
This 90 minute virtual irrigation workshop (and Q+A) will get you primed to manage through the summer heat. Reducing water during drought is a real challenge for agriculture as this is often when your crops need the most water. Learn simple steps you can take in advance of the growing season to ensure your irrigation system is functioning optimally so you can rest assured you are using only the water you need.
Join Certified Irrigation Designers Andrew Bennett and Bruce Naka as they review examples of upgrades on real Okanagan vegetable, orchard, and hay farms that save water, reduce labour, and improve crops.
Topics they will cover include:

Choose pipes, pumps, and fittings for the flows you need.
Know your pressure (and why it matters) right at the nozzles and emitters.
Space sprinklers and drip to spread water evenly.
Use easy catch-can tests (for all types of irrigation) to measure application rates and evenness.
Adjust the amount you irrigate to match your crops and the weather.

When & Where:
Thursday, March 9th
9:00 am – 10:30 am PT
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/irrigation-workshop-improving-water-use-efficiency-for-dry-conditions-tickets-548023883187
