The region's agricultural future will be served up on the discussion table next week.
The Ag and Hort Leap conference, set for Feb. 8 and 9 in Quesnel, will explore some of the best local concepts in the fields of food and cash crops, on both the plant and the animal sides of the sector.
Anyone interested in some personal backyard gardening, right up to a full-fledged career in farming could benefit from the two-day forum.
"It is about hearing from the expert at the front of the room, but also talking together and building networks and making relationships," said one of the event's organizers, Michael Furminger.
This is the third edition of the conference, started by the North Cariboo Agricultural Marketing Association. Rather than confine the discussion to issues specific between Prince George and Williams Lake, however, the conference has taken on a holistic approach for local application.
"One of the primary themes is young people are not going into farming, and that's national but it is also happening here in this area," said Furminger. "Farms aren't being passed down now from father to son as they once did, and there is now a knowledge gap developing. We want to help address that. There is help and mentoring and information available for those younger people who want to get into the agriculture industry."
"At a time when the region's lumber industry is being challenged it is important to encourage other sectors of the local economy," said Wilma Watkin, a director of the marketing association. They market themselves under the acronym FARMED ( Farming; Agriculture; Rural; Marketing; Eco; Diversification). "This is a major event, not only for farming but for the wider regional economy."
The two keynote speakers are Thompson Rivers University professor Edward Walker on the important relationship between producers and local restaurants, and Prince George's Jillian Merrick of the Beyond the Market initiative. She will be speaking on the support available for new farmers and the challenges, leading to solutions, of farming in northern B.C.
There are 22 other feature speakers sharing their insights over the two days. Prince George foodies will recognize names like cash crop businesswoman Karen Kellett (proprietor of North Country Farm Products and Sweder Berries U-Pick), UNBC agricultural researcher Serena Black, and a special spotlight will shine on former Prince George city councillor Don Bassermann who is also a northern authority on turning urban spaces (including residential yards) into sources of food, community health and micro-economies.
Bassermann is adept at foraging the local woods and waters for ample high-nutrition food, as well as simple gardening with complex positive consequences. His talk will happen during dinner.
"Don will share how agriculture in B.C. could experience a significant boost by investing in new products and farming opportunities," said Furminger. "Don will share the potential in possibilities such as Arctic char farming, industrial and food quality hemp, growing fruits and berries to supply an expanding rural wine industry, birch syrup as a 'sports beverage', willow cropping, agricultural tourism, niche crops such as nettles, horseradish, rhubarb, mint and domestic teas, and more. Don's upbeat style and some intriguing 'takeaways' will ensure we don't suffer indigestion."
Furminger added that the Saturday night feature supper, true to Bassermann's message, will be plucked from the bounty of the region, not imported from afar.
Anyone wanting more information can dial up the Quesnel Ag. and Hort. Leap 2014 heading on Facebook or visit the FARMED website, which links to the event. There is a Twitter link as well at @HarvestKnowHow.
