Cross-Commodity Leadership Support Project

Vintality Demo Day
2025-07-08 12:30 - 14:30 (America/Vancouver) | 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!

Commodity Days: Cherry Day #1
2025-07-08 12:00 - 16:30 | Summerland Reseach & Developmen Centre, 4200 Highway 97, Summerland, BC, Canada
2025 Commodity Days: Cherry Day #1
The commodity day series is a joint AAFC-UBC initiative to address the three major commodities in the Okanagan – cherries, apples, and grapes – and give a platform for growers and stakeholders to engage directly with researchers, have brief updates on what’s currently happening in their research, and have some interactive session that include meeting the new upcoming cherry and apple cultivars. It will be hosted bi-annually, with the 2025 cherry and apple days at Summerland Research and Development Centre, and the 2025 grape day hosted at UBC-Okanagan (more details to come on those).
Welcome to the Commodity Days: Cherry Day I event! Join us for the first of two cherry days this summer. From 12pm-430pm, this day will include:

Dr. Chandra Moffat: biological control of spotted wing drosophila
Nicholas Hivon: spotted wing phenological models
Dr. Mehdi Sharifi: Fast, Field-Ready Cherry Leaf Nutrient Testing Using XRF Tools
Shawn Kuchta: Overview of how we manage irrigation and monitor soil moisture in our research blocks
Dr. Kirsten Hannam: Irrigation scheduling project
Dr. Kirsten Hannam & Shawn Kuchta: Discussion about grower irrigation scheduling practices
Dr. Amritpal Singh: Breeding modernization, taste early cultivars, including SPC470

Learn about the latest cherry research, become familiar with some of the new and exciting cherry varieites in the pipeline from the SuRDC breeding program, and engage directly with the researchers. A second even will happen on August 19th, with different researchers, topics, and later season varieties from the breeding program.

Please note: Non-Canadians must provide citizenship details (Name, Date of birth, Passport #, Place of birth) no later than Sunday, June 29th for security purposes. All others must provide name and address by July 7th.

Click here to register!

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!

BCAC Producer Emergency Awareness Sessions (virtual)
2025-06-26 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-21 10:00 - 12:00 | 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!

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.

AgLife Connector Training
2025-06-24 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-10 09:00 - 13:00 | 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)

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!

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!

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

Creston Cherry Irrigation Info Session
2025-06-12 09:00 - 10:30 | BC
Join Pearl Agricultural Consulting, the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Regional District of Central Kootenays for an informative event. Our focus will be irrigation with a few other early season cherry topics to be covered as well.
Register here!

Keeping It Rural Conference
2025-06-10 00:00 - 2025-06-12 23:59 | Four Points by Sheraton, 5505 Airport Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 3C3, Canada
Across Canada, rural communities share many of the same issues and challenges. It can be both helpful and inspiring to hear how small rural communities, First Nations, rural development organizations, and rural sector leaders from throughout rural, remote, and First Nation communities across BC have successfully strengthened their rural communities.
As a result, the BC Rural Centre strives to organize and host a major rural development conference that profiles successful and innovative rural development initiatives. View the full conference program here.
Register here!

SCAP Program Improvement Sessions
2025-06-06 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-05 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
This summer, discussions between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments on updates to the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) agreement, as well as the next five-year policy framework agreement will begin. SCAP encompasses more than $3.5 billion in funding and many programs that are important to B.C. Farmers and ranchers.
To ensure the Government of B.C. Is prioritizing the right programs and that necessary program improvements are made, we are seeking to gather input from producers. Virtual Zoom sessions will be held with BCAC staff and contractors to collect this
feedback on May 27th and 29th as well as June 5th and 6th. Joining one of these sessions is helpful – we are offering multiple dates to ensure you have options from which to choose for participation. General managers of member associations are welcome to attend but we ask that you encourage producer representatives from your associations to attend.
Please register for a session that suits your schedule:
● June 5th, 9:00am – 11:00am
● June 6th, 9:00am – 11:00am

Lake Country Farmers' Institute Meeting
2025-06-05 09:00 - 11:00 | Gatzke Orchards, 3996 Irvine Rd, Lake Country, BC, Canada
Join the Lake Country Farmers’ Institute for their meeting on June 5th at Gatzke Orchards from 9:00 – 11:00 am.

AGENDA:

District of Lake Country Draft Agriculture Irrigation Plan
Presentation to Mayor & Council

Net Benefits of Agriculture
Sustainable Farming

Canada Day at Beasley Park
Draft Regional Agriculture Strategy Survey: Link
DLC Agriculture Advisory Committee Members

Sprayer Calibration Course for Tree Fruits
2025-06-04 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-22 00:00 - 23:59 | BC
Presented by Pearl Agricultural Consulting Inc. & the BC Fruit Growers’ Association
FREE Registration | Earn PAC Points: 2 B | 0.5 A | 0.5 C
Want to boost the effectiveness of your spray applications? Join us for a practical, expert-led training on the fundamentals of sprayer calibration—a key step for maximizing pest control while minimizing residues and environmental impact.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ How to calibrate your sprayer accurately and efficiently
✅ Tips to enhance pesticide and nutrient spray efficacy
✅ Tools and resources to improve your calibration practices
✅ Earn PAC Points: 2 B | 0.5 A | 0.5 C
Who Should Attend:
This workshop is designed for tree fruit and horticultural producers, their staff, agronomists, and industry professionals who use or are interested in learning about application technology. Participants will benefit from three one-day sessions, each combining hands-on practical training and classroom-based instruction, focusing on airblast sprayers and horticultural weed sprayers.

Airblast Sprayer Calibration – Cherry Orchards
Date: May 22
Location: Kelowna (more details soon!)
PAC Points Available:
2 B | 0.5 A | 0.5 C
Airblast Sprayer Calibration – Apple Orchards
Date: May 23
Location: Summerland (more details soon!)
PAC Points Available:
2 B | 0.5 A | 0.5 C
Boom Sprayer Calibration Herbicide application
Date: June 4
Location: Kelowna (more details soon!)
PAC Points Available:
2 B | 0.5 A | 0.5 C

Click here to register!

Wildstone/Algoma Info Meeting
2025-05-28 16:00 - 18:00 | Penticton Sandman Hotel, 939 Burnaby Avenue West, Penticton, BC, Canada
Wildstone Capital from Penticton and Algoma Orchards from Ontario have joined forces to take over operation of the BC Tree Fruits facility in Oliver. The team behind this have organized two meetings next week to provide growers with information, and to meet anyone who may be interested in learning more about their plans.

Date: May 28
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Penticton Sandman Hotel, 939 Burnaby Avenue West, Penticton

Read Kirk Kemp’s introduction and invitation letter here.

Wildstone/Algoma Info Meeting
2025-05-27 16:00 - 18:00 | Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre, 2170 Harvey Ave, Kelowna, BC, Canada
Wildstone Capital from Penticton and Algoma Orchards from Ontario have joined forces to take over operation of the BC Tree Fruits facility in Oliver. The team behind this have organized two meetings next week to provide growers with information, and to meet anyone who may be interested in learning more about their plans.

Date: May 27, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Ramada Inn, 2170 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna

Read Kirk Kemp’s introduction and invitation letter here.

Vernon Farm Tour & Potluck
2025-05-25 10:00 - 13:00 | sncəcmałqtn Agricultural Park, 4122 East Vernon Rd, Vernon, BC, Canada
Join the Okanagan Indian Band, the Regional District of North Okanagan and Young Agrarians for a Farm Tour and Potluck at sncəcmałqtn Agricultural Park in Vernon!
Come check out what’s going on at the sncəcmałqtn Agricultural Park! Previously known as the “BX Ranchlands,” this property was newly named the sncəcmałqtn Agricultural Park in consultation with the Okanagan Indian Band, to honour the Syilx Territory it is part of. sncəcmałqtn translates to “place of small crops or garden” (for a pronunciation guide please refer to this audio recording).
The spacious site was recently transformed into a public park, farm and land-sharing project. Last year, the Regional District of North Okanagan opened applications for small farm plots (in collaboration with the B.C. Land Matching Program), and many farmers have now moved into the space. Currently, there are still plots available.
We’ll enjoy a tour of the park and will learn about the history of the land and how the area came to be what it is today. Haley, your regional Land Matcher, will also be there to discuss how the B.C. Land Matching Program can help you to find a farmer for your land, or find land to start or expand your farm business (at the sncəcmałqtn Agricultural Park or elsewhere).
There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions about the project and the plots of land available for lease. Join us to connect with other farmers, food lovers and members of the community, while sharing a delicious potluck meal and learning more about this community space.
REGISTER HERE!

Reshaping Our Food System
2025-05-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Summerland Centre Stage Theatre, 9518 Main Street, Summerland, BC, Canada
Reshaping our food system: How grocery retailer consolidation in Canada imperils food production and what we can do about it
WHEN: Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
WHERE: Summerland Center Stage Theatre, 9518 Main Street, Summerland
COST: By donation

Many farmers in Canada are struggling to make ends meet, while many Canadians struggle to afford groceries. Meanwhile, a small handful of companies control most of the grocery retail market in Canada, and these companies are making record profits.
On May 21, 2025, join Dr. Katie Sardinha, a third-generation tree fruit orchardist in Summerland, BC, for a farmer’s perspective on how retailer consolidation imperils food production in Canada. In our food system, most Canadian farmers are price takers, unable to negotiate farmgate prices to cover rising production costs. We will talk about how retailer consolidation creates a power imbalance that exacerbates many of the problems faced by farmers today, as well as the question of where retailers are choosing to spend (and not spend) their profits. We will also talk about the tough decisions Canadian farmers are compelled to make in order to survive within an unbalanced domestic market, and why the number of farms and farmers in Canada is steadily dwindling.
Following an introductory talk (45min), the event will transition into being a community brainstorming session (75min), where audience members will be invited to participate in imagining ways to reshape our food system to make it more resilient and equitable for all. Some top-down solutions to the problem of retailer consolidation that we will consider include strategies enacted by governments (e.g. policy changes, legislation), strategies enacted voluntarily by retailers (cf. Grocery Code of Conduct), and strategies enacted through the cooperation of food producers (e.g. marketing commissions, supply management). Ultimately, however, the most enduring solution to the problem of retailer consolidation is one that involves Canadians coming together to enact a revolution from below, collaborating to build a food system that benefits us all. The good news is that a revolution from below is already underway within our food system. But farmers and our allies cannot enact it alone – we need everyone’s help to make it grow.
***This event will be filmed and the video will be shared online, in hopes of sparking interest and conversation on this topic.***

Agriculture Emergency Awareness for Growers & Industry Partners
2025-05-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
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.

For any questions, please reach out to us at projects@bcac.ca. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, which makes this training possible.

Click here to register!

BCWGC R&D Series - Third Thursdays!
2025-05-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Introduction and update on the grape entomology program at AAFC Summerland
Dr. Asim Renyard, AAFC
Dr. Asim Renyard is the new Research Scientist – Entomologist for grapes and tree fruits at the AAFC Summerland Research and Development Centre. Dr. Renyard’s work focusses on insect behaviour, ecology, and pest management. Prior to joining AAFC, his research spanned diverse systems including forests and urban settings where he studied the behaviour and pest management of ants. At AAFC his lab’s research on grape entomology will focus on understanding grape pest phenology and their role in vectoring grapevine diseases. Additionally, his lab will explore how naturally occurring vegetation or experimentally manipulated cover crops affect the abundance of pests and beneficial insects.

Click here to register!

Shuswap Biochar Burn Demos
2025-05-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Sunnybrae Vineyard & Winery, 3849 Sunnybrae Canoe Point Road, Tappen, BC, Canada
You’re invited! Witness a live biochar burn process using vineyard prunings in a traditional kiln at a local vineyard. Learn the benefits of biochar and why local vineyards, orchards, and farms are starting to implement this ancient agricultureal practice that’s already successful in other countries. These include:

Increase water holding capacity
Increase microbial life in soils
Build resilience to disease and climate
Build healthy soils = healthy body
Increase crop yeilds

Hosted by Regenerative GeoServices: regenerativegeo@proton.me
Stop by Sunnybrae Vineyards and Winery in Tappen anytime between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm! Directions: Park in winery parking lot; short walk on path to back of vineyard.

Research Info Session: Regenerative Climate Resilient Vegetables
2025-05-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Join ACARN for an evening info session highlighting the Regenerative-Organic Climate Resilient Vegetables project. Hear from researchers in the Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes lab about key findings from nine years of on-farm research. Topics include into nutrient management, conservation tillage, and cover cropping practices on organic farms across southern British Columbia.
This event also introduces the next four-year phase of field trials launching this spring—focused on enhancing regenerative outcomes through practices like conservation tillage, nutrient management, and cover cropping. Organic vegetable farmers in the Kootenays, Vancouver Island, and the Lower Mainland are invited to learn more about joining the trial!
What to Expect:

An introduction to the new field trials and how to get involved
Preliminary results from long-term organic soil health trials
An opportunity to share your research priorities and shape research questions
Upcoming opportunities to get support with soil health assessment

Click here to register!

Pesticide Applicator Certificate Course (PAC)
2025-05-08 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-05-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Kelowna Downtown Library, 1380 Ellis St, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 2A2, Canada
Join the BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA) and Pearl Agricultural Consulting, Inc. for an in-depth, industry-focused Pesticide Applicator Certificate (PAC) Course. This training will cover the most up-to-date manuals and study guides, and participants will have the opportunity to take the certification exam on-site.
Why Take This Course? A Pesticide Applicator Certificate is required for:

Buying or using restricted class pesticides
Applying pesticides labeled for use only by certified individuals
Using pesticides under the authority of a license, confirmation, or permit

The course is open to all interested growers. Prepayment is required to order course and exam materials. Please contact info@bcfga.com for more information, or register here by April 18, 2025.

Course Fees:

BCFGA Members: $150 (including non-refundable Exam Fee: $90 + tax)
Non-BCFGA Members: $200 (including non-refundable Exam Fee: $90 + tax)
Once you have registered, we will send you an invoice – you will not be able to pay directly when you are getting your ticket.

**Minimum Enrollment: 10 participants

Dates & Location

Training: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Exam: Thursday, May 8, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Venue: Kelowna Downtown Library
