Growing Opportunities - RDBN

Rural Living - Land and Leases

In this episode Penni Adams, Manager of the Northwest Invasive Plant Council, gives us a quick lesson on invasive plants – which ones are common and which are on the critical list for eradicating. Penni also shares about the work of the NWIPC, and the services, education and outreach they provide. And important for landowners to know about is the Landowner Rebate to help deal with invasive plants.Have you wondered or been curious about leasing your land to someone else to work? If so, you have to listen to the second half of this podcast, where Darcy Smith of Young Agrarians, provides a great overview of leasing land – including benefits, things to consider, how to go about starting the conversation and process, and more! Both our guests were a wealth of information. Here are some additional links and resources:https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/application/files/8216/5047/0721/forage_1.mp3Penni Adams (Manager NWIPC) – manager@nwipc.orghttp://nwipc.orghttp://nwipc.org/documents/private/Landowner_Rebate_Application_rev_Jan_2022.pdfDarcy Smith (BC Manager Young Agrarians) – darcy@youngagrarians.orgMorgan Kitchen (Central & North) – Morgan@youngagrarians.orgAndrew Adams (Central & North) – andrew@youngagrarians.orghttps://youngagrarians.orghttps://youngagrarians.org/tools/land/bc-land-matching-program/

Rural Living - Farm Classification and the ALR

Welcome back! This is the first episode of the Growing Opportunities podcast Season 2.In this episode Megan and Michelle talk to the previous Electoral Area A (Smithers Rural) Director for the RDBN Mark Fisher and Peter Alexander from BC Assessment.They share with us what it means to own property in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), when you might need to contact the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), and how Farm Classification fits into this picture and why you might want to seek it out.Interviews by Megan D'Arcy and Michelle RobergeMusic by Doctor TurtleLinks mentioned in this episode:ALC https://www.alc.gov.bc.ca/BC Assessment https://www.bcassessment.ca/RDBN https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/BC Soil Information Finder Tool https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/land/soil/soil-information-finder

Marketing Your Farm

How do you grab the attention of your customers? Is online the way to advertise, or should you invest in a billboard on the highway?There are so many different ways to reach new and returning customers, so why not let the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako help you figure our what's best for you!This episode of Growing Opportunities is packed with tips and first-hand knowledge from some of the district's savviest farmers, homesteaders and market vendors.Hosted by:Michelle RobergeGuests:Megan D'ArcyKris NutbrownIara PavonShirley MoonJoe HugShari JanzenMusic by:Doctor TurtlePhoto Credit:Michelle Roberge

Cattle and Chickens and Goats, Oh My!

Interested in what it takes to start up a goat milk creamery?  Need questions answered about processing locally-raised chickens?Megan D'Arcy hosts this episode of the Growing Opportunities podcast. With the help of Dena Leier of Graham Acres Homestead  and Manfred Wittwer of both W Diamond Ranch & BV Custom Slaughter, we get a snapshot of raising livestock in Northern BC for meat, goat milk & eggs. From a goat obsession to biosecurity, this episode covers a lot of ground.https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/departments/agricultureHosted by Megan D'ArcyGuests:Dena LeierManfred WittwerMusic by Doctor Turtle and IMLCPhoto credit: Michelle Roberge

Veggie Tales

In this episode of the Growing Opportunities podcast, Michelle speaks to three experienced vegetable farmers: Linda and Don Borno and Joe Hug.Healthy Hugs Organics is a certified organic vegetable farm located on the fertile soil of the Bulkley River in Smithers, BC. Most of their vegetable varieties are chosen for their quality of taste and nutrition. They sell to local restaurants, businesses, and families and offer beautiful veggie boxes from July to October.Linda and Don are local vegetable growers, who have been growing and selling vegetables for many years in Vanderhoof. They started in 1992 after Linda read an article about community supported agriculture, which inspired this stay-at-home mom to begin her own small business.Find other vegetable producers from the Connecting Consumers and Producers directory found here... Home :: Connecting Consumers and Producers (rdbn.bc.ca)Hosted by:Michelle RobergeGuests:Linda BornoDon BornoJoe HugMusic by:Dr. TurtlePhoto by:Linda Borno