AgLife Connector Training
2025-06-10 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-06-24 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | BC
What is AgLife Connector Training?

A FREE 4-hour suicide prevention & mental health awareness training aimed at helping participants learn important skills to support producers who may be struggling.
This training is adapted from the Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division’s suicide prevention training to meet the needs of B.C.’s agricultural industry.
During the Connector training, you will learn CMHA BC’s Check, Care, Connect framework to help support BC producers and help connect them to the help they need.
The Connector training can be done virtually or in-person. Join our growing provincewide network of Connectors and help promote mental wellness for B.C.’s agricultural industry!

When?

Tuesday June 10th – 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PST (virtual; register here)
Tuesday June 24th – 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM PST (virtual; register here)

FairPick Scale Demo
2025-06-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Hillcrest Farm Market, 700 HWY 33 East, Kelowna, BC, Canada
Join us as we showcase the latest developments from 2nd Sight and Innov8.ag, including live demos of our scale and labour tracking solutions, meet the team behind the tech, and hear from industry leaders shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.

Why Attend?

See FairPick in action https://www.2ndsightbio.com/en/
Discover other labour tracking options
Network with fellow innovators, investors, and agri-tech leaders
Discover partnership and growth opportunities
RSVP to: sukhpaul.bal@gmail.com

Date: Friday, June 13th, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Hillcrest Farm Market, 700 Hwy 33 East, Kelowna BC

BCAC Producer Emergency Awareness Sessions (virtual)
2025-06-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Emergencies can strike without warning. Join one of BCAC’s sessions to learn to how to protect your farm operation with practical tools and strategies designed to enhance resilience and response capabilities.

Join BC Agriculture Council and AgSafe to:

Learn how to develop and implement effective emergency management plans tailored for your farm.
Understand BC’s emergency response framework and how it supports producers.
Explore vital tools, including the Access Pass System, Premises ID, and producer-specific resources.
Build connections with local Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and strengthen community collaboration.

Click here to register!

Sustainable Crop Production for Resilient Canadian Agriculture
2025-06-23 00:00 - 2025-06-26 23:59 | UBC Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
2025 Joint – Society Conference (event poster)
Canadian Society for Horticultural Science & Canadian Society of Agronomy

Featuring a local tour and gala dinner
Discounted rates for CSHS & CSA members
Discounted rates and award opportunities for students

Click here to register!

Heading North: Viticulture's Search for Cooler Climes
2025-06-24 09:00 - 10:30 | Online
Climate change pushes the boundaries of successful viticulture ever further north with new disease-resistant varieties leading the way. The cases in North America and Europe.
Agenda:

“From 200 hectares to 5,000 in 50 years – the growth of British viticulture” by Stephen Skelton, Viticultural Consultant and Master of Wine
“From Genes to Vines: Advancing disease-resistant wine grapes in the U.S.” by Luis Antonio Diaz Garcia, Dep. Of Viticolture and Enology, University of California Davis
“Not just Icewine, young Canadian viticulture dreams big” by Simone Castellarin, Wine Research Centre | Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia
“VCR, a century of innovation in viticulture” by Yuri Zambon, director VCR
“The future of sustainable viticulture needs natural genes and biotech DNA” by Gabriele di Gaspero, Institute of Applied Genomics Udine
“Resilience to climate change depends on the roots” by Gabriele Cola University of Milan.

Click here to register!

Webinar: Best Practices for U.S. Exports
2025-06-24 14:00 - 15:00 | WebEx
Are you a Canadian exporter looking to better understand the U.S. customs process and navigate the current tariff situation? Join the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) on June 24, 2025, for a dynamic webinar: Best Practices for U.S. Exports – Leveraging CUSMA & Working with a U.S. Customs Broker. This session is designed to help you navigate U.S. customs requirements, work effectively with customs brokers, and determine CUSMA compliance. This session offers practical guidance to help protect your bottom line, whether you’re new to exporting or want to fine‑tune your approach.

What to Expect?
Gain firsthand insights from Trade Commissioners based in Canada and the U.S., showcasing how the TCS network helps overcome export barriers — alongside expert perspectives from:

Jim Trubits, Vice President, Mohawk Global
Damon Piatek, President, Piatek Customs
Brian Barber, President, Northern Border Customs Brokers Association & Vice President U.S. Brokerage and Government Affairs, Willson International

The panelists will share real‑life examples and practical tips from their work with Canadian exporters across sectors.

What you’ll learn:

How to determine if your goods qualify under CUSMA
How to work with a U.S. customs broker and what to expect
Common documentation and classification issues — and how to get them right
What to do if something goes wrong at the border
How to prepare for audits by U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Key trends to watch

The webinar will be available in English only.
Register now to boost your confidence in navigating the U.S. customs landscape — and ensure you’re making the most of the CUSMA benefits.
For more information, please contact Linda Soltis.

Verdi Field Demo
2025-07-08 08:00 - 11:00 | 4403 48th Ave, 4403 48th Ave, Osoyoos, BC, V0H 1V6, Canada
Why attend?
We’re keeping it simple, useful and local. This isn’t a sales pitch – it’s a practical, in-field workshop for growers ready to explore what’s next in irrigation.

What you’ll see in the live demo

How to schedule irrigation in seconds
What to expect from Verdi’s Dashboard
How we verify irrigation actually happened
What happens when irrigation fails?
How easy is setup? We’ll show you.

You’ll also get:

Free catered breakfast + coffee
Expert knowledge from Verdi’s local team
A look at the latest automation tools built specifically for specialty crops
A chance to ask questions and see if automation makes sense for your farm

Click here to register!

Vintality Demo Day
2025-07-08 12:30 - 14:30 | Wesbert Winery, 1465 Naramata Road, Penticton, BC, V2A 8X2, Canada
Join us for a vineyard-focused Demo Day featuring cutting-edge tech and tools:

Lumo will showcase their wireless irrigation valves with automated scheduling
SCDC brings European innovation in vineyard trellising
Gripple showing new items in their catalogue
Peak Hydromet will demonstrate their soil and weather sensing solutions.

Enjoy hands-on demos, expert insights, and great food and drink while connecting with fellow growers and industry pros.
This is a chance to see how advanced systems can work together to improve efficiency, sustainability, and crop quality. Whether you’re upgrading your irrigation, exploring new trellising options, or diving into data-driven decisions with sensors, this event offers practical takeaways and direct access to the people behind the products.

Click here to register!

The Future is Food: Surprising career opportunities in agriculture and agri-food
2025-07-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
This webinar will explore how all these interests (and more) can lead you to a rewarding career in the agriculture and agri-food sector. When someone says “there are lots of career opportunities in agriculture”, most people immediately picture the stereotypical farmer, maybe milking cows or harvesting wheat. While primary production is indeed an essential part of agriculture, and in need of talent, there are also countless opportunities both up- and down-stream of the farm gate. Maybe you are interested in satellite image analysis, mechanical engineering, computer programming, molecular genetics, fermentation, veterinary medicine, or developing the next great protein bar. Maybe you are fascinated by storytelling, or sustainability, or water security, or global trade markets. The world needs this sector now more than ever – learn how you can be part of the future of food!

Click here to register!

BCWGC R&D Series - Third Thursdays!
2025-07-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Smoke exposure update: Improved tests and novel off-vine models suggests alternative mechanisms for smoke exposure in wine and suggest new targets for mitigation
Dr. Wesley Zandberg, UBC Okanagan

New research from the Zandberg lab is challenging the currently accepted model of how grape exposure to forest fire smoke may (potentially) lead to smoke-exposed wines.
CONTACT BCWGC FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ATTENDING THIS VIRUTAL EVENT: info@bcwgc.org

AgLife Connector Training (Virtual)
2025-07-22 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-11 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-08-26 17:00 - 21:00 | Virtual
The AgLife Network – Connector Training is a suicide prevention gatekeeper and mental health awareness training for anyone involved in agriculture in British Columbia. This program is based on the successful and evidence-based programs: Sentinel Program (Quebec) and Guardian Network (Ontario).
The 2025 Connector Training is adapted from the Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division’s Suicide Prevention training to reflect BC agriculture. The training is approximately 3.5 hours long (including breaks) and teaches participants a helping framework to support people who may be experiencing thoughts and feelings of suicide or other impacts to mental wellness. This training is designed specifically for people involved in BC agriculture who want to learn valuable skills to support their community members.

UPCOMING VIRTUAL SESSIONS:

July 22, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Register here
August 11, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Register here
August 26, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Register here

This training is for ANYONE who works with or in agriculture. In order to participate in this FREE training, participants must be 16 years or older and be involved with B.C.’s agricultural industry or communities in some capacity. For any questions or inquiries please email network@aglife.ca.

This program is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

Save the Date - Optimizing the Quality of Canadian Wines
2025-07-23 00:00 - 23:59 | Online
CGCN-RCCV’s next webinar will dive into final results from the CAP Cluster winemaking-focused activities (12, 13, and 14). Registration opens in early July. Stay tuned for details!

Verdi: Live precision irrigation automation demo in Okanagan Falls
2025-07-31 08:00 - 10:00 | Rust Wine Co., 2116 Oliver Ranch Rd, Okanagan Falls, BC, V0H 1R2, Canada
Take control of your irrigation like never before. Verdi unlocks real-time valve control, pump automation, and flow and pressure monitoring across your fields — all without digging, rewiring, or costly infrastructure changes.

Why attend?
We’re keeping it simple, useful and local. This isn’t a sales pitch. It’s a practical, in-field workshop for growers ready to explore what’s next in irrigation.

What you’ll see in the live demo:

How to schedule irrigation in seconds
What to expect from Verdi’s Dashboard
How we verify irrigation actually happened
What happens when irrigation fails?
How easy is setup? We’ll show you.

You’ll also get:

Free catered breakfast + coffee
Expert knowledge from Verdi’s local team
A look at the latest automation tools built specifically for specialty crops
A chance to ask questions and see if automation makes sense for your farm

Click here to RSVP!

Biodiversity in the Vineyard - Southern Tour
2025-08-05 09:00 - 13:00 | Thomas Ranch Vineyard, 4381 Oliver Ranch Road, Okanagan Falls, BC, Canada
Join us for the Southern leg of our Biodiversity in the Vineyard field tour, hosted in collaboration with researchers and viticulturists. This engaging field day invites you into active vineyard sites in Okanagan Falls and Oliver, where we’ll explore real-world applications of biodiversity practices that support healthy vineyards and resilient ecosystems.
Through hands-on demonstrations and open discussion, participants will gain insights into:

Cover crop projects
Soil health, beneficial insects, and nematodes
Equipment demos including the roller crimper
Tools such as the microBIOMETER® for on-site soil analysis

Tour Stops Include:

Thomas Ranch Vineyard (Arterra Wines), Okanagan Falls – 4381 Oliver Ranch Road, Okanagan Falls, V0H 1R2
Diamondback Vineyard (Andrew Peller), Oliver – 500 Burrowing Owl Pl, Oliver, BC V0H 1T1

Contributors: Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, UBC, BC Living Labs, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, BC Grapegrowers’ Association, BC Wine Grape Council + Sustainable Winegrowing BC.

Click here to register!
View the full itinerary here.

Biodiversity in the Vineyard - Northern Tour
2025-08-06 09:00 - 13:00 | Waldhof Vineyards, 5225 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna, BC, V1W 4J1, Canada
Join us for the Northern leg of our Biodiversity in the Vineyard field tour, hosted in collaboration with researchers and viticulturists. This engaging field day invites you into active vineyard sites in Kelowna and West Kelowna, where we’ll explore real-world applications of biodiversity practices that support healthy vineyards and resilient ecosystems.

Through hands-on demonstrations and open discussion, participants will gain insights into:

Cover crop projects
Soil health, beneficial insects, and nematodes
Tools such as the microBIOMETER® for on-site soil analysis

Tour Stops Include:

Waldhof Vineyards (Gebert Family), Kelowna – 5225 Lakeshore Road Kelowna, BC, V1W 4J1
Kalala Vineyards (Kalala Winery), West Kelowna – 3361 Glencoe Rd, West Kelowna, BC V4T 1M1

Contributors: Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, UBC, BC Living Labs, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, BC Grapegrowers’ Association, BC Wine Grape Council + Sustainable Winegrowing BC.

Click here to register!
View the full itinerary here.

BCWGC AGM (Virtual)
2025-08-07 00:00 - 23:59 | Online
The BC Wine Grape Council Annual General Meeting has been set for Wednesday, August 7, 2025. Full agenda and details will be distributed in the coming weeks. Visit the AGM WEBPAGE for up-to-date information.
The following board positions are up for election:

Grower > 250 acres
Grower 20-250 acres
Grower < 20 acres
Winemaker

As a BCWGC Director you will have the opportunity to participate in committees that help shape the future of the BC wine industry through valuable technology, research and education projects. We are actively seeking individuals who are available and eager to be part of the evolution of our industry from both the grower and wine making perspectives.
If you would like to be considered for a board position, please complete the nomination form and return to Kate Durisek by email: info@bcwgc.org before August 4, 2025. Download the nomination package here.
Click here to register!

Field to Future (Youth Experience Workshops)
2025-08-08 09:00 - 13:30, 2025-08-22 09:00 - 13:30, 2025-09-05 09:00 - 13:30 | BC
Many farmers are retiring and most are above the age of 58 years old… we need to pass along the knowledge to the next generation of farmers! This exciting opportunity is geared for Youth ages 15 to 30, to you them valuable outdoors experiences with growers that are a part of the LocalMotive Farmers Network Co-operative. Volunteers will have an opportunity to learn about the Okanagan region’s food system, food security, and develop hands-on farming experience and skills through a range of regeneratively run host farms in Summerland BC.
Each workshop is from 9 am to 1:30 pm at different host farms in the Summerland area. All participants can share a free vegetarian lunch, featuring a locally made soup and salad. Please be equipped for all types of weather, and bring a hat and water to drink, and a snack if needed. Transportation to the site is not included.
Dates and Times:

Friday Mornings
August 8, August 22, September 5, September 19, October 3, October 17, October 31
9 AM-1:30 PM (Lunch Included)

Click here for more information and to sign up!

AgLife Connector Training
2025-08-12 10:00 - 14:30, 2025-08-15 10:00 - 14:30 | BC
Do you care about the mental health and wellbeing of BC producers? Do you want to learn how to make a difference?

The AgLife Connector Training is a mental health awareness and suicide prevention skills training designed specifically for BC agriculture. By taking the training, you will learn valuable skills on how to identify and support someone who is struggling with their mental health and how you can get them connected to supports. Throughout the training, you will learn an easy-to-remember three-step framework for supporting BC producers who may be struggling with their mental health. This is a unique opportunity to take a completely free mental health awareness and suicide prevention training that was entirely designed for BC agriculture. By taking the training and becoming a Connector you are joining a growing network of people who care about producer mental health and wellbeing and want to make a difference! The AgLife Connector training is intended for anyone who works in a role that supports and/or works alongside producers. This program is a collaboration between AgSafe BC and the Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division.

Cost: FREE (with free snacks, coffee, and lunch provided)
Duration: 4.5 hours (30 minutes for lunch)
Locations:

Penticton – August 12th 10:00 am – 2:30 pm at Beem Credit Union Penticton (REGISTER HERE)
Kelowna – August 15th 9:00 am – 1:30 pm at CMHA Kelowna (REGISTER HERE)

CFIA Digitizing Registration - Info Session
2025-08-19 15:30 - 17:00 | MS Teams
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is digitalizing the registration to some programs, including the Apple (Fresh) Export Program. Learn more here.

Participants currently registered in one of the following systems-based programs are invited to an information session in August. This session aims to facilitate registration in My CFIA, the management of party profiles, and the re-registration process via the portal. It will be an opportunity for establishments to ask questions and better understand what is expected of them.

Click here to join the meeting!

AgSafe Lunch & Learn: Progressive Discipline
2025-08-20 12:00 - 12:30 | MS Teams
Join AgSafe’s Human Resources Team in a virtual webinar on Cultivating Accoutability – Implementing Progressive Discipline. Learn how to address challenges effectively, protect your business with documentation, and promote a culture of accountability and growth. Unable to attend? Register and receive a recording of the Lunch & Learn. See you there!

Presenter: Briana Lachance, HR Consultant, Fraser Valley

Click here to register!

Understanding CUSMA Compliance
2025-08-21 08:30 - 12:00 | Coast Capri Hotel, 1171 Harvey Ave, Kelowna, BC, Canada
Navigating CUSMA: Tariffs, Tax Remission, Origin Rules and How to Strengthen Your Compliance
Join us in Kelowna for a half-day, in-person workshop designed for B.C. exporters. This timely session will help you better understand and apply CUSMA trade rules, including tariffs, tax remission programs, and origin documentation.
Learn directly from a customs lawyer and a licensed customs broker, and gain real-world insights on managing North American trade.Through interactive presentations and practical examples, you’ll walk away with the tools to improve compliance, reduce trade-related risks, and enhance competitiveness.
Who Should Attend:

Export-ready SMEs across all sectors
Trade professionals and logistics managers
Business owners and advisors navigating cross-border trade

Why CUSMA Compliance Matters:
CUSMA, the trilateral trade agreement between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, replaced NAFTA and brought new compliance requirements for exporters. Staying up to date is key to maintaining access to preferential treatment and avoiding costly penalties.
Proper compliance helps you:

Avoid costly tariffs and penalties
Qualify for duty-free treatment
Ensure smooth customs clearance
Maintain trust and competitiveness with U.S. partners

This workshop is your opportunity to stay ahead of regulatory changes and protect your bottom line.

Click here to register!

BCWGC R&D Series - Third Thursdays!
2025-08-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
CCLSP and the BC Decision Aid System (DAS) for Grapes

Join us on August 21 to learn about the Cross Commodity Leadership Support Project (CCLSP) and how their Innovation & Technology Committee is working with the BC Wine Grape Council (BCWGC) and the Wine Grape Industry Task Force (WGITF) to pilot and launch the new BC DAS for grapes this coming year. Kellie Garcia, CCLSP Program Director, will give an overview of CCLSP and Galen Barnhardt, Barn to Bottle Consulting, will provide information on the DAS program, how it relates to grapes, benefits to growers, and how people can get involved.

Click here to register!

Agri-Link Up Event
2025-08-28 08:00 - 09:30 | Paynter’s Fruit Market, 3687 Paynter Road, West Kelowna, BC, Canada
We’re excited to invite you to the FieldStart Link-Up Event – a casual gathering to celebrate and connect with youth who have just completed the FieldStart Agri-Employment Program at Paynter’s Fruit Market. This project is funded by the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia through the Agriculture Workforce Development Initiative. The initiative is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC.
These youth (ages 14–30) will have spent the summer gaining hands-on farm experience, learning essential skills, and exploring career pathways in agriculture. This event offers a chance for employers like you to meet potential future hires, share insights, and support the next generation of ag professionals.
📅 Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
🕒 Time: 8 AM – 9:30 AM
📍 Location: Paynter’s Fruit Market, 3687 Paynter Road, West Kelowna, BC
🍎 Light breakfast bites and refreshments provided
Please see the attached invite for full event details or to share amongst those in the agricultural industry!
RSVP by August 20 to caitie@payntersfruitmarket.ca or call 250-258-1126
